Chief, Local Government Programs and Services Division

Job Description and Duties

With general direction from the Chief Operating Officer, the Division Chief is responsible for the planning, organizing, and directing the work of program services, through subordinate managers and professional level staff members, engaged in local government operations in areas in which the State Controller holds constitutional interests as the Chief Fiscal Officer over the expenditure of public dollars.  Local governments include counties, cities, special districts, etc., who receive public dollars for purposes established through law, to perform service within their communities.  This position will be a member of the Senior Management Structure of the agency and report to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief of Staff, and as required by the State Controller, like other division chiefs within the organization.  The position will have responsibility for policy development and be the principle decision maker regarding program operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee accounting, fiscal controls, and reporting for the State of California related to Local Governments; formulate long-term and short-term goals and objectives;
• Function as a key policy advisor for local government accounting and reporting programs relative to public funds; accomplish statutory and legislative mandates;
• Superintend the apportionment of public revenues; administer cost programs;
• Recommend resolution of the most complex governmental accounting issues to the Chief Deputy State Controller, the Deputy State Controllers, and/or State Controller.  Assist the State Controller on matters of statutory, constitutional and policy authority on high-level policy-making committees;
• Manage professional staff responsible for carrying out statutory and legislative mandates as related to Local Governments;
• Ensure that managers, through their bureaus, develop, review and adopt operational policies and procedures that are consistent with the State Controller’s constitutional and statutory obligations as the State of California’s Chief Fiscal Officer;
• Formulate goals and objectives; direct and manage local government accounting, fiscal controls, and reporting for the SCO, and ensure that related assignments meet the constitutional and statutory financial responsibilities of the State Controller;
• Provide consultative services to the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Deputy State Controller, the State Controller, the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, other governmental entities and private financial institutions regarding accounting and reporting statutes relative to the use of state and/or federal public funds;
• Provide private and governmental agencies with final decisions affecting accounting and reporting procedural requirements of the use of public funds for local entities;
• Formulate positions regarding legislative issues affecting the state’s financial health and the State Controller’s statutory and constitutional authority to administer fiscal programs as related to local governments;
• Work cooperatively with various jurisdictions and internal senior level management team members;
• Participate in Executive Office discussions and presentations before dignitaries as assigned;
• Travel to and from offsite meeting locations when required.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Park, a quaint and historical campus environment two blocks from McKinley Park, in the heart of residential East Sacramento. Easily accessible from US 50 and I-80, The Park offers free parking, quick walks to local restaurant favorites, and countless lunchtime strolling opportunities through the quiet East Sacramento neighborhood.

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. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

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:

1. Completed current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD. Form 678 (when not applied 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; solely referring to the resume for information (i.e., “See Resume”) is not acceptable. The Job Control number and examination title (JC – 522841 Chief, Local Government Programs & Services Division, CEA Level B) must be indicated on the application.
2. Resume is required and must be included. A Resume does not take the place of the completed STD. 678 application.
3. Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) - Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required and instructions for the SOQ can be found under the "Examination Information” section located in this bulletin.

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:

• Demonstrated knowledge of state policies, rules & standards relative to accounting requirements;
• Experience in recommending, developing and implementing policies related to program issues.
• Administrative experience communicating with control entities such as the Department of Finance, and/or the Legislature.
• Administrative experience communicating with high level elected and appointed local government officials.
• 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 process.
• Demonstrable writing skills.

Benefits

The SCO offers a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm.  We offer competitive benefits and flexible opportunities:

• Excellent health, dental and vision benefits for employee/employee’s family
• 401K and 457(b) retirement
• Flexible Schedules
• Hybrid telework
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Tax-advantage savings and spending accounts
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Investment in your training and development

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

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 -

  Please see Examination Information section for instructions.