This is a reposting from August 2025. If you are interested in the position, we encourage you to resubmit your application.

If you have any questions on this recruitment, or need additional information about the position itself, you can reach out to: SCO.UCP@byersgroupca.com.

With general direction provided by the Chief Operations Officer (COO), the Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, plans, organizes, directs, and enhances all operations and initiatives for the Unclaimed Property Division (UPD) on behalf of the State Controller. The incumbent leads one of the State of California’s most important and well-known consumer programs and s/he must understand and implement modern customer service tools and practices; evaluate and innovate UPD procedures and practices; lead strategic initiatives; and steadfastly pursue new methodologies and efficiencies that will significantly advance the UPD’s mission to responsibly reunify owners with their lost property.

Essential Functions:

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

Provide leadership and oversight of the State Controller’s unclaimed property program by developing, amending, enforcing, and updating all unclaimed property policies;
Plan, organize, train, promote, and support a culture of exceptional customer service in every transaction with property holders, owners, and members of the public;
Ensure responsible handling and accounting of unclaimed properties received from reporting businesses;
Share expertise with the COO and executive office regarding the maintenance of the UPD program, effective customer service initiatives, enhanced external communications and outreach, and, where applicable, the program’s impact on state revenues;
Oversee the compilation data and provide reports regarding current unclaimed property statistics and projections in order to increase workflow efficiencies and identify more property owners;
Formulate and implement long and short-range goals and develop strategies to enhance program productivity;
Monitor and enforce the requirements of laws and regulations governing unclaimed property;
Set goals and objectives consistent with the overall mission of the SCO;
Monitor and develop legislation to increase property reunifications through effective and modern consumer outreach methodologies;
Closely monitor UPD’s adherence with state law, regulations, and internal practices related to the unclaimed property program, collaborating with public officials, the chief counsel’s office, and others to ensure laws are followed and potential changes are rapidly identified;
Oversee workflows to ensure timely and accurate processing of receipts and claims, while aggressively pursuing efficiencies through established process streamlining methodologies (e.g., Lean principles);
Represent the SCO at various public hearings to address program needs and issues related to the UPD;
Collaborate with external stakeholders, including financial institutions and private auditing firms to plan, organize, and direct special events promoting the unclaimed property program; and
Represent the SCO before other states’ unclaimed property programs and the property holder industries (banks, credit unions, insurance companies, securities companies, etc.), collaborating on innovative ideas to improve administration of the unclaimed property program and increase property reunifications.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

C. E. A.

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-491146

Position #(s):

051-550-7500-003

Working Title:

Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, CEA Level B

Classification:

C. E. A.

$14,032.00 - $16,748.00 B Salary Competitive and Commensurate with experience. New to state salary statement referenced does not apply to CEA appointment.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Facility:

Unclaimed Property Division

Department Information

The State Controller’s Office is a destination employer for government professionals, with a scope of responsibilities and public impact unmatched by other agencies. The Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, oversees one of the highest profile and most complex consumer programs administered by the State of California, with responsibility for more than $7 billion in escheated properties and a robust program dedicated to reuniting property owners with their lost items.

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.

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!

Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.

How did you hear about us? Take our survey!

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see Examination Information for instructions.

A resume is required.

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: 9/18/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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

N/A

Attn: Kelli Simpkin (UPD Chief Exam)

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

N/A

Kelli Simpkin (UPD Chief Exam)

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento, CA 95814

Applications must be received in Human Resources by 5 pm on 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:

Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Statement of Qualifications - Please see Examination information section for instructions.
Other - Cover letter is required with this recruitment.

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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:

Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature, the Executive Branch, and the Constitutional Offices;
Demonstrable knowledge of state policies, rules, and standards relative to accounting requirements;
Experience in recommending, developing and implementing policies relative to program issues;
Managerial experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully apply organizational leadership, communicate clearly, facilitate decision-making, promote teamwork, and define and achieve success across multi-disciplinary stakeholder interests;
Knowledgeable of budgeting processes;
Exceptional written communication skills;
Experience organizing and motivating groups;
Program development and evaluation experience; and
Applied understanding of administrative services.

Examination Information

This examination consists of an evaluation of your Training and Experience weighted 100%.
Your Training and Experience will be evaluated based on the information indicated on your STD. 678 application.
This examination will utilize an evaluation of each candidate’s experience and education/training compared to a standard developed from the class specification. For this reason, it is especially important that each candidate take special care in accurately and completely filling out their STD. 678 application. List all experience relevant to the minimum qualifications shown in this announcement, even if that experience goes beyond the seven-year limit printed on the application. Please read the “Minimum Qualifications” carefully to see what kind of information will be useful to the staff doing the evaluation. Supplementary information may also be accepted (e.g., a resume, etc.); however, it will not take the place of the information on your STD. 678 application.
STD. 678 applications solely referring to the resume for information (i.e., “See Resume”) will be eliminated from the examination process and will not be scored.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ as instructed may be eliminated from the examination/hiring process.

The SOQ items must be numbered and addressed in the same order as listed; do not consolidate the responses. The SOQ should be no more than three pages in length, single-spaced, with one-inch margins and a minimum font size of Arial 12.

1. Provide a brief summary of your knowledge and/or experience as it relates to California State Government, its budgeting process, and the impact to civil service employment.

2. Describe your experience, and the number of years engaged in, organizing and managing a mandated program, and the nature of its complexity (i.e. sensitivity to Legislative scrutiny, or public perception). The response must be high-level, but specific enough to provide the general nature of the services provided and your involvement in the oversight.

3. Please describe your involvement or experience with the implementation of change-management. What challenges did you experience, and how were they addressed?

4. Please describe an instance when you were required to solicit support of executive leadership to pursue a program solution or discuss jurisdictional/control authority over a problem. Include in your response the item/issue, a high-level overview, and the outcome.

5. Provide an example of your experience providing leadership over an enterprise-wide implementation, and your specific involvement with setting directions and/or establishing parameters by which the implementation was to occur. Please included whether your efforts were successful or not.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

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

Human Resources Contact:
Kelli Simpkin
(916) 322-7368
ksimpkin@sco.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Brett Byers
(323) 403-8279
brett@byersgroupca.com

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:
SCO EEO Office
(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.

STATE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE

ABOUT_COMPANY

C. E. A.