Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Policy Analyst jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in state government, public health, environmental regulation, higher education, and nonprofit advocacy, with openings from entry-level research roles through senior director positions. Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are the primary hiring hubs, home to anchor employers such as the State of California, RAND Corporation, and Kaiser Permanente. The most in-demand specialties are health policy, environmental and climate policy, and education policy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary:
The Rabb-Venable Excellence in Ophthalmology Research Program was founded in 2000 and has recruited and mentored hundreds of medical students to academic careers in ophthalmology. The over-arching goal of the program is to develop clinician scientists in ophthalmology, and this is accomplished through curated research opportunities, professional development seminars, tiered mentorship, and career advising. Each year, there are roughly 100 medical students and ophthalmology trainees who submit abstracts of their mentored ophthalmology research for presentation in the RV Excellence in Ophthalmology Research Symposium. In addition, nearly half of the medical student participants will complete the Pathway to Success Program which is geared toward helping them prepare their applications for ophthalmology residency. In support of the RV research program, this Project and Policy analyst will facilitate the operation of the Rabb-Venable Pathway to Success initiative which works with 45-50 ophthalmology applicants per year to prepare them to be successful in the SF Match program. Program activities begin in February with meeting registration, proceeds through the summer with a virtual professional development series and in-person meeting concurrent with the National Medication Association – Ophthalmology Section meeting, and ends in January with ophthalmology match day. The analyst will apply professional concepts to conduct analytical studies or projects of moderate scope and complexity to address a variety of policy, research and procedural issues. Will fully analyze issues and problems, gather data and information, find and evaluate alternatives, solutions and best practices for desired outcomes and make sound recommendations.
Department Description:
The UCSF Department of Ophthalmology is one of the leading ophthalmology departments in clinical care, training, and research nationwide. The Department of Ophthalmology is one of the largest recipients of federal grant funds among peer departments. We are ranked 1st in National Eye Institute Funding and 2nd in overall National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in the country. Additionally, we have been the #1 recipient of the Research to Prevent Blindness funding nationwide with nearly $1.2 million granted in a single year. Overall, the Department has a wide-ranging portfolio of 60 active research grants.
UCSF’s renowned eye care services have a new state-of-the-art home. In November 2020, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision opened its doors. Located at UCSF's Mission Bay Campus, the center houses the Vision Clinics, where many of UCSF's eye care programs relocated, as well as research and teaching facilities. Ophthalmology conducts its patient care, teaching, research, and public service activities currently at multiple UCSF campuses: Parnassus, Mt. Zion, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC), San Francisco General (SFG), East Bay and Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay and in Oakland. The Department sponsors numerous invited speakers, research seminars, journal clubs, as well as a postdoctoral training program focused on mentorship, networking, and recognition. The UCSF Department of Ophthalmology consists of approximately 300 FTE’s (including UCSF Health employees) including faculty, basic scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, residents, fellows, clinical, research and administrative staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- 1+ yrs related work experience
- Working knowledge of common organization- or research-specific and other computer application programs
- Proficient in communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Proficient in ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
- Demonstrates ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns
- Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
- Proficient in ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of applicable policy analysis techniques
- Working knowledge of AI programs
Job Summary:
The Rabb-Venable Excellence in Ophthalmology Research Program was founded in 2000 and has recruited and mentored hundreds of medical students to academic careers in ophthalmology. The over-arching goal of the program is to develop clinician scientists in ophthalmology, and this is accomplished through curated research opportunities, professional development seminars, tiered mentorship, and career advising. Each year, there are roughly 100 medical students and ophthalmology trainees who submit abstracts of their mentored ophthalmology research for presentation in the RV Excellence in Ophthalmology Research Symposium. In addition, nearly half of the medical student participants will complete the Pathway to Success Program which is geared toward helping them prepare their applications for ophthalmology residency. In support of the RV research program, this Project and Policy analyst will facilitate the operation of the Rabb-Venable Pathway to Success initiative which works with 45-50 ophthalmology applicants per year to prepare them to be successful in the SF Match program. Program activities begin in February with meeting registration, proceeds through the summer with a virtual professional development series and in-person meeting concurrent with the National Medication Association – Ophthalmology Section meeting, and ends in January with ophthalmology match day. The analyst will apply professional concepts to conduct analytical studies or projects of moderate scope and complexity to address a variety of policy, research and procedural issues. Will fully analyze issues and problems, gather data and information, find and evaluate alternatives, solutions and best practices for desired outcomes and make sound recommendations.
Department Description:
The UCSF Department of Ophthalmology is one of the leading ophthalmology departments in clinical care, training, and research nationwide. The Department of Ophthalmology is one of the largest recipients of federal grant funds among peer departments. We are ranked 1st in National Eye Institute Funding and 2nd in overall National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in the country. Additionally, we have been the #1 recipient of the Research to Prevent Blindness funding nationwide with nearly $1.2 million granted in a single year. Overall, the Department has a wide-ranging portfolio of 60 active research grants.
UCSF’s renowned eye care services have a new state-of-the-art home. In November 2020, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision opened its doors. Located at UCSF's Mission Bay Campus, the center houses the Vision Clinics, where many of UCSF's eye care programs relocated, as well as research and teaching facilities. Ophthalmology conducts its patient care, teaching, research, and public service activities currently at multiple UCSF campuses: Parnassus, Mt. Zion, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC), San Francisco General (SFG), East Bay and Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay and in Oakland. The Department sponsors numerous invited speakers, research seminars, journal clubs, as well as a postdoctoral training program focused on mentorship, networking, and recognition. The UCSF Department of Ophthalmology consists of approximately 300 FTE’s (including UCSF Health employees) including faculty, basic scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, residents, fellows, clinical, research and administrative staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- 1+ yrs related work experience
- Working knowledge of common organization- or research-specific and other computer application programs
- Proficient in communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Proficient in ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
- Demonstrates ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns
- Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
- Proficient in ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of applicable policy analysis techniques
- Working knowledge of AI programs
See All 8 Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy Analyst JobsPolicy Analyst Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Policy Analyst Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical2
- Anthropic1
- Applied Materials1
- Netflix1
- TikTok1
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Education2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Technology & Software2
- Electronics & Hardware1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in policy analyst jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in public policy, political science, or a related field
- Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative policy research and analysis
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Excel, R, STATA, or Tableau
- Strong written communication skills including policy memos, briefs, and reports
- Knowledge of California legislative processes, regulatory frameworks, or state agencies
- Experience engaging stakeholders, presenting findings, and supporting public comment processes
Policy Analyst Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a policy analyst in California?
Most policy analyst positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, economics, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred for senior roles. California has no state-issued license for policy analysts, so hiring is credential- and experience-driven. Strong candidates build their record through graduate programs at California institutions, internships with state agencies like the California Department of Finance or Legislative Analyst's Office, and experience with California-specific regulatory or legislative processes.
Which companies hire policy analysts in California?
Employers hiring policy analysts in California right now include BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Anthropic, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's combination of a large state government, major research institutions, and a dense nonprofit and advocacy sector means demand for policy analysts is spread across public, private, and mission-driven organizations.
Which California cities have the most policy analyst jobs?
San Francisco, San Rafael, and Los Angeles have the most policy analyst openings in California. Sacramento dominates because it is the state capital and home to the legislature, executive agencies, and affiliated advocacy organizations, while Los Angeles and San Francisco draw demand from large health systems, environmental nonprofits, research institutions, and technology-adjacent policy work.
Are there remote policy analyst jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of policy analyst openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that most of the work involves research, writing, and data analysis that can be done off-site. Research and report-writing roles tend to be the most remote-compatible, while positions requiring regular legislative testimony or agency liaison work typically require in-person presence in Sacramento or a regional office.
How can I get hired as a policy analyst in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an internship or fellowship with a California state agency, such as the Legislative Analyst's Office, the California Department of Finance, or a policy-focused nonprofit in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Many candidates move into analyst roles from adjacent positions like program coordinator, research assistant, or legislative aide. A master's degree in public policy from a California program, a strong writing sample, and demonstrated knowledge of California's legislative or regulatory environment give early-career applicants a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to policy analyst jobs in California?
You can find and apply to policy analyst jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and specialization, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 8 Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy Analyst Jobs