Employment Development Specialist I

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Under the close supervision of the Office Manager or a Section Manager and in partnership with the management team, the employee is responsible for a variety of analytical, administrative, and technical functions critical to daily operations in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) environment.

The Employment Development Specialist (EDS) in the UI Center acts as a program consultant, researching and analyzing program statistical data, including analyzing data produced by office reviews, documenting actions based on findings, and measuring results from quality reviews and Field Office Basic Evaluation System (FOBES). Assists management in tracking and monitoring the budgets, benefits, and Operating Expenses and Equipment (OE&E), develops and implements UI Center goals and improvement plans, and designing tools and processes for tracking, documenting, and measuring progress toward program goals. 

Analyzes and interprets responses to surveys, reviews, and studies, as they impact the UI Center environment. Researches, prepares and implements field office health and safety plans. Coordinates the preparation and distribution of reports prepared by the UI Center. Monitors office procurement processes, and assists in the development and maintenance of office premises plans, prepares technical reports related to Department equipment and property. Coordinates the development and implementation of special projects. Provides support to assigned staff; ensuring new procedures are understood and implemented correctly. May act as Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to other programs and Departments. Assists management in planning and distributing workload to the staff using the UI Scheduling System as well as other distribution methods, support management in quality control and budget planning. Coordinates the determination schedules for UI interviewers.

This position may be eligible for rotational telework under EDD's telework policy. Employees are required to report to their headquarters office. Travel expenses to and from the assigned headquarters are the responsibility of the employee.

Position located at Santa Clara County.
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Office/Cubicle in a Call Center atmosphere

Special Requirements

Submit a State Application (STD 678) and a Statement of Qualifications no longer than two pages (see SOQ requirements).

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment
Employment Development Specialist I is a Departmental Promotional exam for EDD employees only. The next administration of the Employment Development Specialist I exam is tentatively scheduled for 10/2026.

For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here .

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:

• Strong writing, typing, and communication skills
• Possesses the ability to gain and maintain cooperative working relationships at all levels
• Proficient skills in analysis and works well with numbers
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Broad knowledge and experience in the UI program and system, especially the UI scheduling system
• Strong skills in computer usage, such as Microsoft Office
• Maintain flexibility, adaptability to change and competing priorities with attention to detail

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required . The SOQ will be considered the first phase of the hiring process for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you may be invited to an interview. 

The SOQ should be typed and not more than 2 pages maximum in length, not less than 12-point font, single spaced with margins not less than one inch, including your first and last name at the top of the page along with the title of the document SOQ.

The Statement of Qualifications should include descriptions of your skills, knowledge, experience, and education/training that demonstrate your ability to be successful in the Employment Development Specialist I (EDS-I) position. In addition, please provide specific examples of your prior roles and responsibilities where you provided technical expertise, staff support, or guidance to others.

Applicants who do not submit an SOQ will be disqualified from the selection process. Resume and / or cover letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ.

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 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 -
  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required. Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.