INNOVATION SPECIALIST

Why Join DHCS? The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California's health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members, as well as through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners, in caring for low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today! About this Role: The Business Innovation Branch of the Program Operations Deputy Director's Office serves as the innovation arm for all the divisions in Program Operations. Under the general direction of Supervisor I, Business Innovation Unit, the Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) independently performs complex data research, analysis, and reporting in support of DHCS program objectives. Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact . We are here to help walk you through the state hiring process! You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement . Working Conditions Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction details. This position is located in West Sacramento, which is in Yolo County. Please ensure you have chosen Yolo County as a place you are willing to accept employment on your CalCareer profile. Our campus-style office offers FREE parking, and is near the freeway, a shopping center, and several dining options. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification. RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I Additional Documents Job Application Package Checklist Duty Statement Position Details Job Code #: JC-509153 Position #(s): 805-400-5742-XXX Working Title: INNOVATION SPECIALIST Classification: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I $6,955.00 - $8,970.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. # of Positions: Multiple Work Location: Yolo County Telework: Hybrid Job Type: Permanent, Full Time Department Information DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all. DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity. Take a look at some of DHCS' recent projects and happenings that our Department has accomplished in the DHCS Newsroom . Special Requirements Simple Application Steps If you are interested in this position, complete the following these simple steps: Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ's) of the Research Data Specialist I (5742) . Complete the state application by clicking "Apply Now" above. See below for detailed application instructions. Submit your application package with all required documents - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section above. Once you have applied, take the Research Data Specialist I Examination . Supplemental Questionnaire Requirement Section To be considered for this position, applicant must provide written response to the following Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). Your response must be typewritten using 12-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages in length. You must indicate your full name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Failure to submit the SQs will disqualify your application. References to other materials such as resume, cover letter, or application will not be considered in lieu of the SQs. The use of large language model (LLM) tools (ie. ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot) is strongly discouraged at any stage of the application process. Any use of AI will result in automatic disqualification. Describe a situation where you were asked to write a SQL query to improve a dataset you were not familiar with. What were the step by steps did you take to prepare? What resources or tools did you use to ensure accuracy when working with unfamiliar data? Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. Final Filing Date: 3/10/2026 Who May Apply Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s). How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: Department of Health Care Services Mailing Attn: Certification Technician M.S. 1300 P.O. Box 997411 Sacramento , CA 95899-7411 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Health Care Services Drop-Off 1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501 Sacramento , CA 95814 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM Required Application Package Documents The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position. Resume is required and must be included. Supplemental Application - A completed Supplemental Application must be submitted with your STD. 678 in order to be considered for this position. Please see the Special Requirements Section above for additional information. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: High integrity Understanding of software development concepts Problem Solver Critical Thinker Teaching ability Ability to analyze, think logically, interpret technical data, and make sound decisions Comfortable with technology Ability to work independently on projects or assignments without close supervision or detailed instructions Ability to facilitate Receptive to feedback Benefits DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team: Continuous and ongoing training Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as: Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance. Paid Holidays and vacation/leave Defined retirement program Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457) Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary DHCS 2023-2027 Strategic Plan provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence. We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey: SurveyMonkey link . This survey is not required to be considered for this position. Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. Contact Information The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process. Hiring Unit Contact: May Tang (916) 938-4162 Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office. EEO Contact: EEO Officer (916) 440-7370 California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device. Telework and Salary Information This position is currently eligible for telework up to three days per week and is required to report in person a minimum of two days per week. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change consistent with DHCS' Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 - 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee's designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. The DHCS office location for this position is: 830 Stillwater Road, West Sacramento, CA 95605. Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position's associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details. Additional Information Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Paper applications must include a signature. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed. Applicants must state their basis of eligibility (List Eligibility, Lateral Transfer, Reinstatement, T&D, or Surplus/SROA), and the Job Control (JC) number and/or position number in the "Examination(s) or Job Title(s), For Which You Are Applying" section on the STD. 678. Surplus/SROA candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth, etc.) as well as any information regarding your LEAP eligibility and/or exam scores from your documents prior to submission. If applying electronically, please note that CalCareers no longer allows applicants to withdraw their applications. If you need assistance to withdraw your application, please contact the Recruitment Section at For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, please contact CalHR's CalCareers Unit at (866) 844-8671 or . Equal Opportunity Employer The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Created: 2026-03-04