Senior Personnel Specialist

Under the general direction of a Payroll Officer, the Senior Personnel Specialist (SPS) serves as an expert resource and staff specialist within the Personnel and Payroll Operations Bureau, Statewide Civil Service Audits Program. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support, while independently performing assignments involving a diverse range of tasks and situations, resolving a wide variety of personnel and payroll issues, and will be required to act in a lead capacity.

The SPS functions as a liaison with customers, control agencies, and stakeholders. Implementing processes and procedures, developing and maintainaining specialized training programs, as well as representing the department on intra- and inter-departmental teams.

Duties peformed :

Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Research and resolve the most complex and sensitive personnel and payroll problems for California State agencies and campuses.
• Evaluate automated processes and heavy workloads associated with various Statewide programs, ensuring both documentation and transaction processing are in compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, policies, procedures and bargaining unit contracts.
• Respond to written correspondence, and telephone inquiries from State agencies and campuses regarding documentation and procedures by researching and referencing resource materials (i.e. the Payroll Procedures Manual (PPM), Personnel Action Manual (PAM), Benefits Administrative Manual (BAM), etc.).
• Exercise lead responsibilities, provide training, review the work of less seasoned staff to ensures cut-off dates are met.
• Assist with coordinating and controlling unit workloads, reviewing and authorizing PC uploads to the mainframe computer; assuming responsibility for the unit in supervisor's absence.
• Participate in meetings to improve personnel / payroll efficiencies on a statewide basis, and various personnel and payroll related meetings.
• Provide technical expertise and support in handling the most difficult and complex personnel / payroll documents and reports on a statewide basis.
• Review California Department of Human Resources Policy Memos regarding changes resulting from the collective bargaining processes ensuring appropriate personnel / payroll documentation instructions are provided via pay letters.
• Identifiy and document employment history system issues, testing modifications to Access databases to ensure accurancy.
• Provide information to the supervisor regarding unit operational needs, concerns and improvements to existing policies and procedures.
• Review and provide comments on revisions to the PPM, PAM, BAM and various desk / training manuals.
• Review and provide comments on proposed Personnel and Payroll letters prior to statewide distribution.
• Work on special projects involving new personnel / payroll processes or heavy / time sensitive workloads affecting State agencies, which may result from legislation and collective bargaining.
• Identifiy documents and provides test data to analytical staff for system related problems.
• Provide subject matter expert (SME) support to the Statewide Customer Contact Center.

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

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Emerald Tower on Capitol Mall, steps from Tower Bridge and is walking distance to the State Capitol. The building offers affordable monthly parking, employee gym access, an amenities center, and a beautiful mid-tower garden terrace. It is conveniently situated only blocks from Old Sacramento, numerous restaurants, a seasonal farmer's market, and the Crocker Art Museum. Overlooking the Golden 1 Arena and Downtown Commons, the office is accessible from Sacramento Regional Transit's light rail and bus systems, with convenient access to I-5, I-80, US 50 & US 99.

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details Job Code # :

JC-462764

Position #(s) : 051-220-1317-999

Working Title :

Senior Personnel Specialist

Classification :

SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST $5,498.00 - $6,890.00 A

of Positions : Work Location :

Sacramento County

Telework : Hybrid

Job Type : Permanent, Full Time

Facility :

Personnel / Payroll Services Division

Department Information The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination employer within the State of California. As California's chief fiscal officer, the Controller's Office ensures accountability and transparency of California's financial practices while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Here, you'll work in a collaborative and supportive environment with diverse opportunities for professional growth and development. A career with the SCO offers meaningful work that directly impacts the state's future.

The Personnel and Payroll Services Division (PPSD) of the California State Controller's Office is responsible for ensuring that more than 290,000 state employees are paid accurately and on time. This division manages complex payroll systems, processes employee benefits, and handles a wide range of personnel transactions. By joining this team, you'll be at the forefront of delivering essential services that directly affect the livelihoods of state workers across California.

Take the next step in your career with an organization that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of its employees. Apply today and build a California where everyone thrives!

To learn more about the SCO, visit :

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Special Requirements

A resume is required.

Take the Senior Personnel Specialist examination here :

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date : 1 / 27 / 2025

Who May Apply

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). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

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).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination / Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below :

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to :

State Controller's Office

Human Resources

Attn : Human Resources Office - A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at :

State Controller's Office

Human Resources

Human Resources Office - A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Applications dropped off in person must be received by 5 p.m. in HR, by the final filing date.

08 : 00 AM - 05 : 00 PM

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 :

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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 :

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact :

Jesse Rios

916) 322-3682

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact : EEO Officer

916) 324-2223

California Relay Service : 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.