Department of Water Resources
JC-493964 – Research Data Specialist III
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III
$8,392.00 – $10,505.00 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: 11/12/2025
Job Description and Duties
Are you passionate about being a member of a highly professional team that provides billions of dollars in funding to support critical projects for communities across California’s water sector? Are you excited to track performance of those projects and share data with internal and external colleagues? The Division of Regional Assistance (DRA) seeks a Research Data Specialist III to serve as the dedicated technical lead for the Financial Assistance Branch (FAB), overseeing the management, integration, and modernization of grant-related data systems. In this critical role, you will ensure data consistency, accuracy, and accessibility for grant-funded project data for internal needs, grant requirements, and statewide transparency goals.
As our new Research Data Specialist III, you will:
- Lead the development and maintenance of a centralized data solution and visualization dashboards to align and integrate datasets across all grant programs.
- Support grant managers and program managers by collecting, organizing, and mapping data from past, current, and future grant programs.
- Develop and launch data tools to enhance collaboration across internal teams and external users and increase accountability for management of bond funds.
- Coordinate with multiple DWR organizations and contractors to develop data systems that meet State standards for data quality, privacy, and security.
- Coordinate with the California Natural Resources Agency and other departments to ensure compliance with AB 1755 (Open and Transparent Water Data Act) and further open data objectives.
You may travel statewide to meet with grant applicants and recipients, visit project sites, and participate in workshops.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-493964
Position #(s):
841-650-5770-XXX
Working Title:
Research Data Specialist III
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III
$8,392.00 – $10,505.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Division of Regional Assistance, Financial Assistance Branch,Sacramento
Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.
At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov
Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
Special Requirements
- This position requires occasional statewide travel and may include overnight stays.
- Overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
- Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential.
- All employees must contribute to a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory work environment.
- This position may participate in emergency response activities as required by DWR.
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: 11/12/2025
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM – 04:30 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 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 – See Special Instructions below
- Other – Cover letter
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:
The ideal candidate:
- Has advanced knowledge of database architecture, data governance, and business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
- Is highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented with proven experience developing or managing large-scale datasets and systems.
- Possesses strong experience in programming languages (e.g., R, Python, SQL), database technologies (MS SQL Server, Oracle), and geospatial databases.
- Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, and experience facilitating meetings and training sessions.
- Enjoys working in a diverse, collaborative team environment and has experience communicating business needs.
- Is experienced in providing oversight for data-related projects, contracts, and system upgrades.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. DWR’s headquarters are located next to Light Rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute partial public transit pass reimbursement is available.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Katelyn Carty
(279) 231-0767
Katelyn.carty@water.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.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.
Special Instructions
To be considered, submit a completed;
- State Application (STD 678)
- One-page Cover Letter to the hiring Supervisor
- Resume (maximum two pages)
- Statement of Qualifications
Please reference SAP Position # 50000421 and Job Control # 493964 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.
The SOQ is a two-page maximum typed document in Arial 12-point font, that succinctly and clearly describes your knowledge, skills, experience, and education, as it directly relates to the qualifications and duties listed in the Job Duties Statement.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.
Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
Examination/Assessment
For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To view the job application process video, click here.
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.
Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link.RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III
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.
