RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF
Sacramento County, CA, USA
USD 8,327-10,779 / month
Job Posting: Rural Healthcare Scientist
Department of Health Care Access and Information
RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF
$8,327.00 - $10,779.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 9/4/2026
Job Description and Duties
Under general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor II, the Research Scientist (RS) Staff plans, organizes, and conducts highly complex rural health-related studies of broad scope. These studies are focused on healthcare access, utilization, quality, cost and equity in rural areas. This involves using statistical methods, established guidelines and technical scientific procedures, and developing standards and procedures where no sufficient procedure exists. The RS Staff is a member of the Healthcare Analytics Branch (HAB) team and serves as a team member on public health and healthcare projects for the Workforce and Utilization Analysis Team (WUAT) within the Analytics and Data Section (ADS). The RS Staff also works closely with members of the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Office, State Office of Rural Health (SORH), Office of Health Workforce Development (OHWD) and external entities under contract with HCAI.
In the HCAI work environment, staff may handle confidential patient data. Specific statutes, regulations, and HCAI policies and procedures govern the collection, storage, disclosure, and use of confidential data. The employee is responsible for the safe and secure handling of this data in compliance with these policies and procedures.
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025, visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.
Take a 2-minute survey to tell us why you applied for HCAI! - https://forms.office.com/g/B6eXh2NKpZ
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
HCAI supports a hybrid telework schedule for many positions, consistent with operational requirements. Telework schedules are only available for CA residents. The telework policy is subject to change, and additional in-office days may be required and/or minimal notification may be given to report to the worksite if an urgent need arises.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information works to ensure that healthcare is available where Californians need it most. With offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, we strengthen the state’s healthcare system through facility construction, expanding the health workforce, and providing vital health information. Our diverse team upholds the values of professionalism, innovation, equity, and service. We provide tools and support to help you start, build, or transition your career while making a meaningful impact for all Californians.
At HCAI’s Office of Health Information, we shape conversations and generate impactful insights about California’s healthcare landscape from data submitted to us by hospitals, health plans, prescription drug manufacturers, and California’s health care workforce. These conversations and insights inform policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and the broader health care industry regarding topics such as health care cost transparency, the total cost of care, and health outcomes. Our mission is to expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care for all Californians. Join a dynamic team of technology enthusiasts implementing and maintaining innovative solutions to meet the Department's needs.
HCAI is committed to building an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity, where employees are appreciated and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. We value our employees’ skills, experience, and unique perspectives because they enrich our workforce and make us stronger. We embrace and support a culture of equitable opportunity, empowering our employees to advance health care access and information for the diverse populations we serve across California.
To learn more about HCAI, visit: http://HCAI.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
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: 9/4/2026Who May Apply
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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
- Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. (The SOQ is a separate document with your Name and Job Control number noted on the top, typed in Arial 12 pt font, no more than two pages.) Resumes and cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Applications without a clearly titled SOQ or failure to follow instructions above will not be considered for the position. The SOQ should address the following question:Please describe how your knowledge, skills, experience, and education relate to the qualifications listed in the job description.
Desirable Qualifications
- At least 2 years data analysis experience in any programming language
- At least 2 years experience writing about health care data or policy (e.g., peer-reviewed or government publications, grant applications, technical documents)
- At least 2 years experience conducting rigorous analytic research into rural health care delivery systems
- At least 2 years experience analyzing ICD-10 coded data and/or healthcare claims data
- At least 2 years experience creating visualizations using Tableau, Power BI, R, ArcGIS, etc.
- At least 2 years experience with geographic data analysis, using ArcGIS or another software
- At least 1 year experience applying data de-identification policies or other practices to protect individual privacy in data analysis
- At least 2 years experience developing measure specifications or investigating the comparative impact of competing measure specifications
- At least 2 years experience communicating complex analytic findings to program leadership or executives, including both oral and written communications
Benefits
In addition to competitive public employee wages and a comprehensive benefits package, our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to healthcare. To learn more about benefits for State employees, visit the Salary and Benefits page on the
University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) employees may qualify to transfer their current and previous employment credit to State of California employment through CalPERS. Human Resources can help with this process upon employment, or you can reach out to CalPERS for inquiries at (888) 225-7377.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
HCAI Recruitment
(916) 326-3260
HRRecruitment@hcai.ca.gov
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 Office
(916) 326-3261
eeo@hcai.ca.gov
Additional Application Requirements
To be considered for this vacancy, please complete all applicable fields on the application form, including a list or description of previous/current work experience in the duties performed section. The application should also clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification.
Any documents you submit for a job vacancy such as your state application, resume, cover letter, educational transcripts, etc. SHOULD NOT include ANY confidential information e.g. Social Security Number (SSN).
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your high school or college/university transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts may be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts may be required prior to appointment.
Foreign Degrees or Transcripts – Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply that coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. HCAI accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
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.
