Senior Mitigation Research Specialist

About the role

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch works to build resiliency and support communities as they plan and implement projects to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, extreme weather, wildfire, and drought, and other hazards such as earthquakes. Under general direction of the Program Manager I (PM I) within the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit, the Research Data Specialist II (RDS II) works with Cal OES program staff to measure the success of Cal OES efforts to reduce disaster risk and enhance resiliency from climate change.

Responsibilities

• Design studies and undertake geospatial, statistical, and qualitative analysis on program interventions to measure success.
• Write reports and studies, recommend the adoption of applications, and determine authoritative data services.
• Create, prepare, and model data for loss avoidance studies, risk assessment, disaster recovery, and other products as necessary.
• Identify and resolve database-related issues, provide enhancements to applications and dashboard products, make recommendations for process improvements and new solutions for effective program management, and deliver analytical products for both program-specific areas and general emergency response and recovery.
• Work with external agencies on data sharing, distribution, modeling capabilities, and integrate data sharing capability within a web environment.

Requirements

This is an integral role in ensuring that Cal OES is accurately measuring the success of disaster recovery and mitigation actions, continuously updating best practices, and ensuring communities are employing the most effective actions toward building resiliency. The incumbent will use various software tools including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite, ENGAGE, Oracle accounting system, Lotus Notes database functions, FEMA BCA Toolkit, FEMA eGrants database, FEMA GO, and FEMA National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS) database, Smartsheet, OES ArcGIS, and Snowflake databases, and remain current on all new databases, updates, and upgrades.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of data management and data governance principles.
• Knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware, and software, including but not limited to: Geospatial Software: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, and other ESRI platforms for mapping, spatial analysis, and geodatabase management. Data Analysis Tools: Python (including Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib libraries), R, and SQL for data processing, modeling, and statistical analysis. Visualization Platforms: Tableau, Power BI, and ArcGIS Dashboards for creating interactive dashboards, heatmaps, and data visualizations to aid in decision-making. Hazard and Emergency-Specific Software: FEMA’s Hazus, CALAdapt, and flood risk modeling tools to assess impacts, model secondary hazards, and evaluate progress. Remote Sensing and Imagery Tools: Satellite imagery processing via Google Earth Engine or other platforms for burn area mapping, vegetation analysis, and change detection.
• Experience working in focus groups and analyzing qualitative data.
• Experience in supporting conducting research independently within or in partnership with other organizations and coworkers.
• Experience designing and coordinating the implementation of research projects within organizational constraints and resource limitations.
• Experience supporting and training staff and community partners that are unfamiliar with research, to collect, manage, and analyze data.

Skills

• Strong background in statistics and technical/academic writing.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while remaining focused on goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, be persistent, and solve problems as they arise.

Benefits

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station