RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER
Full-time
Sacramento County, CA, USA
USD 13,288-15,603 / month
Job Posting: Deputy Director
Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC)
RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER
$13,288.00 - $15,603.00 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: 10/2/2026
Job Description and Duties
Under the broad administrative direction of the Chief Deputy Director (CEA) of Administration and Performance Management and indirectly to the Executive Director, the Research Scientist Manager (RSM) serves as the Deputy Director of the Research and Evaluation Division. The RSM uses research, evaluation, and related expertise to lead efforts in measuring, assessing, and understanding the impact of California’s behavioral health system in meeting the behavioral health needs of California’s residents. The incumbent is the research leader for the Commission and is responsible for providing guidance and leadership in directing complex and relevant research studies of the statewide impact of these politically and socially sensitive programs. The RSM will lead critical statewide research efforts – including evaluations, data analysis and efforts to communicate findings to a range of decision-makers – to ensure that the public mental health system is well understood, and that Commissioners and other policymakers have relevant knowledge to inform their decision-making. The RSM will work with behavioral health consumers, family members, state and local agency leaders, behavioral health experts, and other stakeholders in advising the executive leadership of the Commission and Commissioners in determining data analytic, research and evaluation priorities. The RSM will be responsible for the supervision of designated staff.
This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill identical vacancies which occur with 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with BHSOAC’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200.
Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
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: 10/2/2026Who 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.
- School Transcripts
- Statement of Qualifications - A statement of qualifications is required. See statement of qualifications section below for specific instructions.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources
(916) 500-0577
HR_Recruiting@bhsoac.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:Annie Palmero
(916) 312-4432
Annie.Palmero@bhsoac.ca.gov
Additional Application Information
Applications received without the following information may be considered incomplete:
· "to" and "from" dates (month/day/year);
· hours worked per week and total worked;
· civil service classification or private sector job titles;
· supervisor name and phone number;
· duties performed.
Applications with "see resume" in place of duties performed are not acceptable.
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)
Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) evaluating your experience for this role. The SOQ must be 2 pages max, use 12-point Arial font, and provide specific examples for the following:
1.) Leadership: Describe your experience leading complex research, program evaluations, and data analysis projects. Include examples of supervising research staff, managing large-scale projects from start to finish, and collaborating with executive leadership to align research with organizational goals.
2.) Data Communication: Describe creating data communication strategies for diverse audiences (varying data literacy and linguistic backgrounds). Provide examples of translating complex findings into culturally relevant, actionable information for diverse communities, CBOs, and policymakers to drive equitable change.
3.) Stakeholder Engagement: Detail your collaboration with diverse stakeholders (e.g., government, academia, community). Discuss how you centered the voices of consumers, families, and racially/ethnically diverse communities. Provide examples of offering expert consultation to inform policy, improve programs, or build capacity.
4.) Behavioral Health Systems: Explain your understanding of public behavioral health systems and your experience using data to improve service delivery and inform policy. Specifically mention your experience with programs and data related to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).
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.
