FIND_THE_RIGHTJOB.

SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

United States

The Payroll and Benefits Section seeks applicants with strong analytical, organizational, communication, team player, and detail-oriented skills. Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, can work in a fast-paced office, and perform multiple tasks with accuracy.

The Payroll and Benefits Section performs payroll and personnel functions for the Department, including processing Workers' Compensation Payroll, Catastrophic Leave, State Disability Insurance, and Non-Industrial Disability Insurance for Departmental staff.

Under the general direction of the Personnel Supervisor II (PS II), the Senior Personnel Specialist (SPS) will process Workers' Compensation payroll, Catastrophic Leave, Long-Term Disability, Disability Retirement, State Disability Insurance, and Non-Industrial Disability Insurance. The SPS will provide technical expertise in the handling of the more complex and sensitive personnel issues. The SPS must exercise a high degree of initiative and accomplish transactions-related issues with a high degree of autonomy.

Annual pay schedule is as follows:

$2,400.00 after 12 or more qualifying months
$3,000.00 after 24 or more qualifying months
$3,600.00 after 36 or more qualifying months
$4,800.00 after 48 or more qualifying months

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey.

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job.

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

Working Conditions

This position is located in downtown Sacramento at CDSS' headquarters building, on the 15th floor in the Human Resource Services Branch. We are two blocks from the light rail and other public transportation. The State Capitol, Golden 1 Arena, various parks, restaurants, and farmers' markets are within walking distance. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80. Available parking includes metered street parking (hourly & daily rate) and private and city-owned garages and lots.

This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-491055

Position #(s):

800-693-1317-007

Working Title:

Senior Personnel Specialist

Classification:

SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

$5,663.00 - $7,097.00 A

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

# of Positions:

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids, and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence. CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families.

CDSS’ goal is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Department, that actively invites the contribution and participation of all people, and is representative of the varied identities and different perspectives in California. In our role as public administrators, our charge is to ensure that our programs and our workplaces provide all Californians the opportunity to thrive.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You must provide direct responses to the questions listed below. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to a maximum of one (1) page, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

1. Describe your knowledge, training, and experience with Human Resources Transactions.
2. Describe your experience related to the State of California's disability programs such as NDI, SDI, and IDL.

Note: Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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: 9/14/2025

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:

Department of Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Attn: Classification & Pay Unit

P.O.Box 944243

Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Classification & Pay Unit

744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

Sacramento, CA 95814

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Statement of Qualifications -
(SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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:

Ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, honesty, and make timely decisions while maintaining positive and trusting working relationships.

Ability to plan, organize, communicate, and adapt to changing assignments and priorities, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
Excellent analytical skills, demonstrated ability to work independently, think logically and creatively, apply a range of analytical and research tools, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, make sound recommendations, and develop business requirements based on the recommendations.
Experience leading large meetings and using strong verbal and written communication skills to present information to all levels of stakeholders, including management, business and technology staff, and solution partners, to prepare and present written recommendations, and to report project information accurately and timely.
Experience working in a team environment, as a coach, mentor, and in a leadership capacity.
Knowledge and understanding, or willingness and ability, to learn CDSS organization, business program areas, technology architecture, and processes.
Strong working knowledge and experience in business process improvement and project management technical skills (Business Process Management and Continuous Improvement methodology, Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile).
Experience gathering, identifying, and analyzing business, functional, and technical system requirements.
Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MS Teams, SharePoint, and data visualization tools.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

Public transit (mass transit) passes.
- 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
Vanpool drivers and riders
- 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

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:
Jennifer Brenner
(916) 215-9855
Jennifer.Brenner@dss.ca.gov

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 Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov

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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:

CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary. For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov.

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.

Similar jobs