Benefits and Payroll Analyst

Job Description and Duties

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is comprised of approximately 240 employees and serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assistance efforts. Our teams are comprised of experts spanning diverse industries, geographic regions, and business backgrounds.

Under the general direction of the Supervisor I (Assistant Personnel Officer) within the Human Resources Unit, the incumbent serves as a highly experienced specialized analytical resource responsible for independently analyzing, coordinating, and administering the more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel, benefits, leave, disability, time reporting, and payroll-related matters for GO-Biz. The incumbent provides consultation and guidance to management, employees, and Human Resources staff on more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel transactions and ensures the appropriate application of applicable laws, regulations, statewide policies, and bargaining unit agreements.

The incumbent independent research evaluates more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel and payroll issues, interprets and applies federal and state laws, regulations, California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) policies, and bargaining unit provisions, and develops recommendations to resolve sensitive or non-routine matters. Responsibilities include oversight and analysis of specialized benefits and leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Non-Industrial Disability Insurance (NDI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), leave balances, disability pay, time reporting, and other payroll functions. The incumbent identifies trends, evaluates processes and controls, recommends improvements, and assists in developing and implementing procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and consistency in the administration of personnel and payroll programs.

Please take this 5-minute GO-Biz Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job: 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Hybrid:  T his position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule and requires reporting in-person at headquarters in Sacramento up to 4 times a week. #li-hybrid

Special Requirements

Exam Requirements : 
Unless you have transfer or reinstatement eligibility, please take the exam to obtain eligibility:

Educational Requirements:
If you are using education as your basis of meeting the minimum qualifications, you must provide school transcripts.

Employment Application : 
Interested applicants must fill out the "Employment History" section of the State Application (STD 678) with all relevant experience to be considered for this position. GO-Biz will not review attached resumes in lieu of the Employment History section of the State Application (STD 678). Failure to fill out the Employment History section of the State Application (STD 678) will result in disqualification.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Interested individuals must submit a SOQ. The completed SOQ shall be titled “Statement of Qualifications – Analyst III ” in the upper left corner of the document. Your first and last name shall also be in the upper right corner of the document. The completed SOQ must have 1-inch margins, Arial 12-point font, must not exceed two (2) pages and must number and restate the question being answered. Do not include the instructions in the completed SOQ.

1) Describe your experience processing complex personnel transactions. Include the types of transactions you have processed; and the laws, rules, regulations, and/or policies you have applied. 

2) Describe your experience in researching complex personnel or payroll issues in state civil service and the resources you used from control agencies.

3) Describe your experience with balancing competing deadlines and responding to customers while also ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to: 

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision) 

• Work life balance (most positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here ). 

• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc.)

• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS

• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)

• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Commute Program

• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

• ScholarShare (college savings account) 

• On-the-job training and professional development 

• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

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

Salary

IN MOST CASES, ALL NEW TO STATE EMPLOYEES MUST START AT THE MINIMUM OF THE POSTED SALARY RANGE. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). Under this program, employees’ monthly base pay is reduced in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025. The specific rate of pay reduction and corresponding leave credits are determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and classification. Please refer to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website here for details regarding the applicable PLP 2025 provisions. The salary listed in this job advertisement does not reflect the pay reduction or corresponding leave credits associated with PLP 2025, which remains in effect through June 30, 2027. 

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - All applicants must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please review the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) section above for instructions. Failure to upload a SOQ responding to the information requested may result in disqualification.