Research Associate Job at Public Employees Retirement System, Sacramento County, CA

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  • Public Employees Retirement System
  • Sacramento County, CA

Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning February 23, 2026.

We strongly encourage submitting your resume and college transcripts (official or unofficial) with your application package to expedite the application review process.

Are you passionate about understanding government policies through data-driven analysis? Can you translate research findings into meaningful business insights? Are you ready to influence decision-making with evidence-based research? If so, we encourage you to apply for these exciting job opportunities!

The Strategy, Projects & Data Analytics Division (SPDA) seeks to fill four Research Data Analyst II vacancies across three units: Policy Insight Team (PIT), Lean Insight Team (LIT), and Enterprise Data Insight Section (EDIS).

The Strategy, Projects & Data Analytics Division (SPDA) supports CalPERS in achieving enterprise goals by guiding enterprise planning and performance; leading organizational development, change management, and strategic projects; and conducting research and data analytics to inform policy issues, business decisions, and process improvements. Under the general supervision of the Research Data Supervisor II, the Research Data Analyst (RDA) II is responsible for:
  • Conducting intermediate data analysis to interpret intermediate statistics, test research hypotheses, interpret results and make recommendations to key stakeholders
  • Designing and conducting iterative research projects and assignments, and writing clear and concise studies and reports
  • Having intermediate knowledge of and experience using a variety of research, analytical, and statistical methods and techniques used in data analysis and to provide comprehensive research
  • Exercising a high degree of independence, initiative, flexibility, and tact in performing the duties listed and may perform other team assignments related to other PRDA areas as required and appropriate for this level

Lean Insight Team:
Under LIT, the Research Data Analyst (RDA) II has a skillset catered for:
  • Reviewing, preparing, and organizing data and using advanced statistical software to conduct analyses of business process improvement issues, identify insights, and interpret and document findings.

Enterprise Data Insight Section:
Under EDIS, the Research Data Analyst (RDA) II has a skillset catered for:
  • Performing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to collect, prepare, validate, work with, and conduct quality control of structured and unstructured data

Policy Insight Team:
Under PIT, the Research Data Analyst (RDA) II has a skillset catered for:
  • Reviewing, preparing, and organizing data and using advanced statistical software to conduct analyses of policy issues, identify insights, and interpret and document findings

Telework Information:
Act quickly to apply for this hybrid position, where you’ll enjoy up to 40% (two days) remote work, each week!

Sponsorship:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length and must be Aptos 11-point font in black.
  1. Write about your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience that make you a good candidate for the Research Data Analyst II in the Strategy, Projects & Data Analytics Division at CalPERS.
  2. After reading the three different duty statements (part of this job announcement), please write about a specific work experience in one of those fields (data, lean, or policy). This experience can be a project, including your project contributions and the project results. If you have experience in more than one field, pick the one field that you are most interested in.
Minimum Qualifications

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website .

Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation?

The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations .

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:

  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Knowledge of computer and statistical programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, Power BI, and PowerPoint; SAS; etc.) for data analysis, report writing, and slide presentations
  • Project management skills sufficient to lead enterprise-wide projects of varying complexity and work on multiple projects simultaneously with varying deadlines
  • Ability to apply creative and critical thinking skills to problem resolution
  • Ability to act independently and take initiative and be proactive in planning and scoping out projects assigned

Benefits

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
  • Alternate Work Schedules
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Onsite childcare facility
  • Onsite fitness center
  • Onsite café and nearby restaurants
  • Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
  • Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

Additional Information

Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package.  Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.

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 - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work experience placement, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, 2 days per week,

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