Lead Economist

Lead Economist (Research Specialist III)

Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA or DOSH) seeks a Lead Economist to serve as Cal/OSHA’s economic expert. Cal/OSHA protects employees’ safety and health throughout California. This role involves data‑driven research and statistical analysis to support this critical mission.

Under the general direction of the Research Data Manager in the Research Data Unit, the Research Data Specialist III will:

• Develop macroeconomic and econometric models, conduct simulation studies, and perform rigorous statistical and analytical analyses.
• Use tools such as R, Python, SQL, and other software to build models and perform macroeconomic analyses that inform policy decisions.
• Create models that assess the economic impacts of changes in rule making and regulations.
• Conduct ad‑hoc econometric and trend analyses using data from both government and non‑government sources.
• Guide and mentor junior team members, sharing expertise in economic theory, statistical methods, and applied data analysis.

Cal/OSHA Research Data Unit
1750 Howe Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 460, Sacramento, CA 95825

Partial telework schedules will be considered, with some in‑person work required. If you are applying to the Sacramento location, travel to the Cal/OSHA headquarters in Oakland may be required several times per month.

Applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. For examination and employment list eligibility, please access the exam bulletin:
Exam Bulletin.

• The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be double‑spaced, not exceed 2 pages, and use Arial font, size 11 or larger.
• Each response should include the corresponding question number to clearly indicate which question is being answered.
• Describe a past macroeconomic analysis:
  Include key groups affected, methods and modes of analysis, data sources used, results and recommendations, and any presentations or white papers created.
• Handling ambiguous requests for economic analysis:
  Explain your process for clarifying the requirements, identifying what needs to be done, and verifying your analysis with reliable sources.
• Influencing and convincing others with your analysis:
  Provide a detailed example of how you effectively influence stakeholders or persuade them of the validity of your model or analysis.

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the final filing date to be considered. Final Filing Date: 7/31/2026.

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available) may apply. SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority.

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).

Complete Application Packages (including the Examination/Employment Application STD 678 and applicable or required documents) must be submitted electronically through your Cal Career Account at  Hard‑copy application packages may be sent to:

• Department of Industrial Relations, Cert Mailing Address Sacramento, Attn:
  Human Resources/Certs Unit, 1416 9th Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
• Department of Industrial Relations, Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento, Human Resources/Certs Unit, 1416 9th Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 (08:00 AM – 04:00 PM).

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (if not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at
• Resume.
• Statement of Qualifications (see Special Requirements).

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview…