SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties

The Fiscal and Administrative Programs Division ensures the effective and efficient allocation and use of resources for environmental regulatory programs. The Unit communicates, coordinates, implements and oversees fiscal, human resources, information technology, and administrative policies throughout the Agency. The Unit also administers the Office of the Secretary's budget and office operations.

Under the general direction of the Supervisor I, the Senior Personnel Specialist is responsible to oversee personnel transactions for the California Environmental Protection Agency Office of the Secretary, serving approximately 100 permanent employees.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is headquartered in Sacramento, CA. The incumbent will be required to report to the assigned headquarter in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy.

CalEPA positions may be eligible for hybrid telework schedules with in-person attendance based on operational needs under Government Code 14200 for applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA Telework Policy and/or future program requirements. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the designated headquarter location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement. 

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay. Please note additional conditions below:

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being in a stationary position, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (for example, artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc).
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.

Special Requirements

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Candidates whose applications do not include the required SOQ will not be considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

• Require Name on SOQ 
• Require Job Control Number on SOQ 
• Maximum number of pages: 2 (12 pt font, 1 in margins)

1. Describe your education, training, knowledge, skills, and experience as they relate to the duties of the Senior Personnel Specialist position. Include relevant experience performing personnel and/or payroll functions, interpreting policies and procedures, providing customer service to employees and management, and training, mentoring, or guiding new staff.
2. Describe your experience interpreting and applying personnel laws, rules, regulations, policies, and labor agreements. Include specific examples of how you used this knowledge to respond to employee inquiries, resolve personnel or payroll issues, provide guidance to managers or staff, and ensure accurate and timely customer service.

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:

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 laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining contract provisions affecting personnel record keeping, personnel transactions, payroll, and certification processes used in State departments.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service in a professional and courteous manner
• Demonstrates dependability and accuracy in task completion
• Demonstrates capacity to effectively organize and prioritize tasks
• Strong dedication to delivering high-quality work and a solid work ethic
• Strong interpersonal skills for addressing customer inquiries and effectively conveying information to diverse audiences
• Excellent verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex information clearly
• Proficient in identifying and correcting errors while maintaining meticulous records
• Proficient in managing multiple responsibilities concurrently
• Flexible and adaptable to handle changing priorities and deadlines

Benefits

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

• Gym
• Daycare facility (third-party)
• Convenient to public transportation 
• Nearby (third-party) parking 

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

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 - Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.