Senior Research Analyst

Job Description:

Senior Research Analyst

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST

This recruitment is open to the public and will establish an OPENeligible list. The list established will be used to fill a current Senior Research Analyst position with the Department of Child Support Services. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

This recruitment will close on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. (PST)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES (CSS)

Orange County Child Support Services (CSS) is an award-winning, forward-thinking agency of approximately 325 professionals, dedicated to helping parents financially support their children.

The core mission is assisting parents in establishing paternity, establishing financial and medical child support orders, and facilitating the payment of that support through various means, including court action. Under the direction of the Department Director, CSS delivers human services to the community based on a balanced approach emphasizing Customers, Staff, Business Efficiencies, and Performance. CSS also works in close partnership with the Orange County Superior Court, California Department of Child Support Services, and other local child support agencies throughout California.

Click here for more information on Child Support Services.
Click here for more information about the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

CSS Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) team, is seeking a Senior Research Analyst (SRA) responsible for planning, organizing, and directing data projects for Child Support Services through close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, BIA team staff, and the BIA Research, Policy & Quality Assurance Administrator (RPQA). The SRA will collaborate with staff to collect data, analyze data using statistical methods, and clearly communicate (orally and in writing) findings to diverse audiences to inform business decision-making.

Additional Duties Include:

• Use multi-level analysis of data and statistical and analytical methods to inform business decisions, interpret, translate, and communicate complex legal data into business insights for leadership; generate statistical and analytical products and dynamic dashboards via Tableau, Power BI, etc. to meet the demands of the agency.
• Provide training, quality assurance, and technical assistance to Research Analysts for ease of the adoption of software capabilities and ensure consistency of data practice standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will have at least (4) four years of experience conducting applied social sciences research and will possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, statistics/mathematics, or other related fields. The ideal candidate will also possess extensive knowledge of research methods, statistical analysis, program evaluation, data management, and the ability to communicate analyses into accessible and actional products (e.g., dashboards, reports, presentations). Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience working with large, longitudinal, and complex data sets.

Furthermore, the ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience in the following core competencies:
Professional | Technical Expertise

• Proficient in utilizing software tools (e.g., R, SQL, Python) to analyze large and complex datasets
• Conducting complex research and statistical analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, trend and root cause analysis, forecasting, probability sampling, statistical correlations, reliability and variability criteria, and regression analysis
• Organizing statistical information into reports, tables, charts, graphs, and dashboards
• Designing, conducting, and summarizing program evaluation and quality assurance efforts, through deliberate and efficient collaboration with program staff/operations
• Managing and connecting large datasets with multi-level outcomes with attention to detail regarding data accuracy, quality, and privacy protections
• Conveying complex analytical results to a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders in a customized manner using a variety of presentation modalities
• Using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook at an advanced or expert level of proficiency; uses technology such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and other visualization tools to create reports and presentations
• Collaborating with Research Analysts and/or IT staff to define or modify databases that populate visualization with support program needs.
• Possessing excellent problem-solving skills to analyze complex database scenarios, diagnose and resolve issues, and contribute to technical enhancements to support operational efficiency

Interpersonal | Communication Skills

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with colleagues, leadership, external partners, and customers

• Effectively communicating, both verbally and in writing, with department staff, leadership, or external partners to accurately convey data findings
• Presenting ideas and complex materials clearly, concisely, logically and persuasively
• Communicating verbally and/or in writing, methods of data collection to stakeholders without technical expertise
• Adapting communication style to a variety of audiences and/or situations
• Consulting with leadership and staff of research methodology that should be considered when evaluating program performance and services

Project Management

• Gathering and evaluating data for project planning including assessment of need and priority setting
• Determining timelines and setting project goals and objectives that align with department priorities
• Utilizing Project Management and Quality Management principles to provide transparency and encourage collaboration, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Comfortable managing multiple projects at the same time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the Minimum Qualifications for the Senior Research Analyst classification as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions.

Special Requirements: Must pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the Department of Child Support Services.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All applicants will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please clickhere to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 RELATED REQUIREMENTS
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION : Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at http://www.governmentjobs.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Ramirez at (714) 347-8385 or [email protected]

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.


Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 3/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$87,235.20 - $117,561.60 Annually