Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Serve as the Lead Storyteller for the California Department of Social Services! The Chief of the CDSS Insights Bureau serves as the department’s lead on using data to tell the CDSS story: drawing descriptive insights within and across programs on who we serve and how well we are serving them. The Bureau Chief (Research Data Manager, RDM) is responsible for leading the teams that design and execute dashboards, descriptive data analysis, and performance measurement that enable program staff and leadership to understand and represent metrics around their programs. The RDM will be responsible for leading strategy on how the Department can better tell the CDSS story, as well as leading the Department’s strategy around providing the tools and building the capacity of program partners to self-service descriptive questions within their data assets.

You will design, develop, and implement regularly occurring and/or ad hoc analysis and deliverables designed to help address and inform pressing CDSS program needs. This leadership position will be critical in overseeing the production of products and deliverables by the team, including the development of analytical datasets and data pipelines, research design documents, code and notebooks required for analysis, and final research products, including but not limited to, reports, data dashboards, data driven insights or findings, presentations, or developing outcome measures.

You will be in the room where it happens: regularly briefing leadership, Agency, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, counties, advocates on findings and research produced by your team. Your team will directly inform real-time policy and budget decisions by providing data-driven recommendations. Your work will be integral to supporting the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities.

We are seeking a visionary leader with a strong policy research background, strong management experience, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a track record of delivering impactful data analysis to drive policy that improves the lives of the Californians the Department serves.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief .

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at  Recruiter@dss.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit .

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

The SOQ must be submitted along with the Application/Standard Form (STD) 678 in CalCareers. The SOQ should be typed, with a length of approximately one page, at Arial 12 pt. font. The response should be no more than 500 words. Application packages received without specific responses to the supplemental questionnaire will not be considered.

Your SOQ must specifically address the following questions to be considered for this position:

1. Please provide detail on a research or analysis project on which you played a key or leading role. In your response, please briefly explain (a) the purpose of goal of the project, (b) how you and/or your team conducted the analysis, (c) the outcome of your analysis, and (d) how you communicated results to key stakeholders.

2. What is your vision for running the the CDSS Insights Bureau?

3. Please describe your leadership philosophy and experience managing teams.

4. (Note, optional, will not count towards the word or page count): if you have a link to a Github or other public code repository to share to help demonstrate your skills, please do (although not required). If not, you are welcome to share a PDF version of a code notebook that includes code and outputs as supplementary materials to your application.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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: 9/24/2025

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.

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 Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Attn: Classification and Pay

P.O.Box 944243

Sacramento , CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Classification and Pay

744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!  The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
  • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

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:
Miguel Rodriguez
(209) 280-8563
miguel.rodriguez@dss.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) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov

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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Work at office,

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