The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in California, and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year. The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.    

The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.

The Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) is based on the Richmond Campus which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success.

*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

*The CDPH is an E-Verify employer.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

The Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) acting as the Bioinformatics and Laboratory Information Management System Specialist, will combine and gather data, provide analysis and make recommendations to Center management and coordinate with scientists from other Branches programs. Will coordinate the Center’s efforts with integration of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) within the state laboratories; as well as integration of data from local jurisdiction public health laboratories and clinical laboratories to forecast future impacts and trends. Lead and coordinates the contracted staff working on network expansion and data sharing enhancement efforts, lead workgroups, both internally and externally to provide input to the Laboratory Operations Branch and Center leadership and develop enhancements to operational workflows for improved data sharing and security.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Chief, Laboratory Operations Section, Research Scientist Supervisor II.

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

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:

• LIMS administration, configuration and data workflow, network sharing experience
• Experience with HL7 messaging, or other LIMS reporting languages
• Experience in using a statistical programming language like R or Python for reproducible data analysis is highly valued.
• Expertise with data querying software such as SAS, SQL, Data Grip, and ArcGIS, including the ability to create and edit complex SQL queries and manage various database types (relational and NoSQL).
• Understanding advanced techniques like deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), predictive modeling, and the ability to build and deploy robust models.
• Ability to work independently and provide expert consultative services to senior and executive management, advising on the feasibility and potential impact of proposed initiatives or policy changes.
• Experience collaborating effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, working with scientists, engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders.
• A high degree of initiative, independent judgment, and creativity to develop innovative solutions to complex research problems and unexpected challenges.
• A commitment to staying current with the latest research methodologies, tools, and industry trends in the rapidly evolving field of data science.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex data concepts, findings, and their implications to both technical and non-technical, high-level audiences and stakeholders.
• The ability to translate data insights into a clear, compelling narrative that guides decision-making and influences strategy. 
• Advanced experience using business intelligence and visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python/R libraries (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn) to create compelling, interactive dashboards and reports.

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.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=507127

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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