Examination and Research Specialist (Research Data Specialist I)

Peace Officer Standards and Training · Yolo County

Salary: $6,955 – $8,706 per month

Job description and requirements

Job Description and Duties The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is recruiting for the position of Research Data Specialist I in the Strategic Communications and Research Bureau. The Research Data Specialist I (Examination and Research Specialist) is responsible for conducting job analyses, developing and validating employee selection tests, developing skills and scenario tests, and implementing and managing online testing systems that support entry-level tests and pre-employment assessments. Pre-employment assessments are primarily focused on entry-level knowledge examinations for peace officer and dispatcher selection, and scenario and skills testing for basic training. These projects will require working with individuals from varying backgrounds who may have differing opinions and/or levels of understanding. The incumbent must possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively and professionally with internal staff, external stakeholders, and subject matter experts. Competitive candidates possess well-developed verbal and written communication skills; are dependable, tactful, methodical, and team oriented; possess strong analytical, statistical, and advanced research skills, preferably in personnel selection or a closely related field; demonstrate experience independently developing and applying research methodologies to complex issues; are proficient in interpreting and validating data and making data-driven recommendations; and capable of managing time and resources, working independently on major projects, and meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements A fingerprint check is required. A complete Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. The SOQ must be typed on an 8 ½ X 11 paper using 12-point Arial font, including the applicant’s full name and date at the top of the page. The SOQ must not exceed 2 pages in length. By submitting your application for this position, you affirm the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Failure to submit an SOQ and/or submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process. In your SOQ, address each of the following areas separately. For each response, identify the employer(s), position(s), and specific duties, responsibilities, or projects that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. The experience described must be supported by the information listed in your application and/or resume. 1. Describe your professional experience in pre-employment testing, personnel selection, workforce assessment, or other areas relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position. 2. Describe your professional experience using statistical analysis or data to address work-related issues, support recommendations, identify trends, or improve processes.
Show full description and requirements

Job Description and Duties

The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is recruiting for the position of Research Data Specialist I in the Strategic Communications and Research Bureau.
The Research Data Specialist I (Examination and Research Specialist) is responsible for conducting job analyses, developing and validating employee selection tests, developing skills and scenario tests, and implementing and managing online testing systems that support entry-level tests and pre-employment assessments. Pre-employment assessments are primarily focused on entry-level knowledge examinations for peace officer and dispatcher selection, and scenario and skills testing for basic training. These projects will require working with individuals from varying backgrounds who may have differing opinions and/or levels of understanding. The incumbent must possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively and professionally with internal staff, external stakeholders, and subject matter experts.
Competitive candidates possess well-developed verbal and written communication skills; are dependable, tactful, methodical, and team oriented; possess strong analytical, statistical, and advanced research skills, preferably in personnel selection or a closely related field; demonstrate experience independently developing and applying research methodologies to complex issues; are proficient in interpreting and validating data and making data-driven recommendations; and capable of managing time and resources, working independently on major projects, and meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

A fingerprint check is required.

A complete Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. The SOQ must be typed on an 8 ½ X 11 paper using 12-point Arial font, including the applicant’s full name and date at the top of the page. The SOQ must not exceed 2 pages in length. By submitting your application for this position, you affirm the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Failure to submit an SOQ and/or submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.
In your SOQ, address each of the following areas separately. For each response, identify the employer(s), position(s), and specific duties, responsibilities, or projects that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. The experience described must be supported by the information listed in your application and/or resume.
1. Describe your professional experience in pre-employment testing, personnel selection, workforce assessment, or other areas relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position.
2. Describe your professional experience using statistical analysis or data to address work-related issues, support recommendations, identify trends, or improve processes.

About this opportunity

Salary context

The annualized midpoint for this posting is $93,966. That matches the $93,966 median among 5 current California public jobs with the same normalized title.

More jobs at this employer

Peace Officer Standards and Training currently has 7 other open positions in this database.

Regional hiring context

There are 60 current state openings in Yolo County, including this position.

Application timeline

This is a continuous filing that has been listed for 12 days since CA Public Jobs first observed it.

Similar roles at other employers

These employers are currently listing the same normalized role:

Posting history

This posting appears on CalCareers. CA Public Jobs first observed it on October 23, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

View the official posting