What are the responsibilities and job description for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST III (SOCIAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES) position at Office of Traffic Safety?
Under the general direction of the Chief Traffic Records Officer, the Research Scientist III will independently plan, organize, and perform the most advanced and complex research and analysis of data from different California Traffic Records System (TRS) components and other sources to support and advance the OTS traffic safety programs. The incumbent will support the proactive, data-informed approach for the OTS traffic safety programs by developing and adapting new innovative methods and techniques to utilize, integrate, and analyze traffic records data, monitor traffic safety trends, assess patterns, and predict and evaluate the impact of different traffic safety programs and interventions. The incumbent will serve as a scientific advisor to OTS Director and executive staff regarding the latest research in the field of traffic safety and effective improvement strategies and solutions. The incumbent will provide expertise and technical guidance to OTS staff, especially to traffic safety specialists, related to tasks utilizing traffic safety research, data sources, and analytical tools, including presentations of scientific research and systematic review and assistance with ad-hoc research and information requests. The incumbent will collaborate with researchers and traffic safety professionals from different local, state, and federal agencies related to programs and efforts to improve traffic safety in California.
91-5-031 / JC-473024
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- RESEARCH SCIENTIST III (SOCIAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
OTS Mission: Deliver traffic safety programs to prevent people from being killed and seriously injured in California.
Core Values
Office of Traffic Safety
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position. Please include a 1-2 pages, 12-point font, SOQ that describes your experience as it relates to this position/duty statement. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.
- Please describe your work experience that demonstrate your ability to independently plan and perform tasks to validate, manipulate, and integrate data from different aggregated and non-aggregated data sources. In addition, describe your work experience and ability to assess the quality, manipulate and link data from multiple complex and large data sets.
- Please describe your past work experience in which you played a significant role that demonstrate your ability to independently plan and complete research or program evaluation project. Describe the data used, the project methodology, the statistical techniques, and the preparation of the report and/or a summary of the project findings. Please identify the role or level responsibility you had on this project.
- Please describe your work experience that demonstrate your ability to apply data-informed approach to identifying problems, developing goals, strategies, and measuring progress or performance.
- Please describe your work experience that demonstrate your ability to prepare ad hoc reports, develop dashboards, or other data visualization tools for purposes of identifying and monitoring trends based on analyzed data.
- Please describe your work experience that demonstrate your ability to communicate scientific research studies, systematic reviews, and analyzed data in a manner to clearly demonstrate its significance via written reports and oral presentations to different audiences (i.e., layperson, technical, and non-technical).
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: 4/13/2025Who 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications -
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
Desirable Qualifications
Benefits
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Kenny Pham
(916) 662-3213
Kenny.Pham@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
OTS Human Resources Unit
(916) 509-3030
hr@ots.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:Jessica Chan
(916) 509-3051
Jessica.Chan@ots.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.
Important Applications Instructions
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.
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.