Payroll and Personnel Specialist

Job Description and Duties

This position is headquartered in our new state of the art high-rise building located in downtown Sacramento. This position is designated as remote-centered and currently works 2 days per week in the office, and as needed as work assignments require additional time in the office.

Personnel Services Branch (PSB) staff provide human resources support to CDFW employees. The Payroll and Personnel Section is responsible for performing tasks associated with appointments, separations, payroll, and leave accounting for CDFW employees in compliance with California labor laws, bargaining unit contracts, departmental policies and procedures, and control agency directives.

The Payroll and Personnel Specialist is responsible for performing all aspects of personnel transactions including but not limited to payroll, time and attendance reporting, appointments, and separations. The incumbent independently processes various complex and sensitive personnel transactions accurately and in compliance with applicable bargaining unit contracts, departmental policies and procedures, and California Department of Human Resources, California Public Employees’ Retirement System, State Personnel Board, and State Controller’s Office laws and rules while meeting management and client expectations.

The incumbent can expect to have multiple shifting priorities each day with critical deadlines that must be met. The incumbent is required to provide an excellent level of customer service to all CDFW employees at all times.

For more information about the specific job duties, please refer to the Duty Statement.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:

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This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Link to Personnel Specialist Exam:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The incumbent works 40 hours per week in an office setting, with artificial light and temperature control. The ability to use a personal computer and telephone is essential. The position requires bending and stooping to retrieve files; walking; occasional light lifting, up to 10 – 15 lbs.

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 conduct thorough research.

- Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining unit contracts.

- Use good judgment in decision-making.

- Exercise creativity and flexibility in problem identification and resolution.

- Manage time and resources effectively.

- Responsive to CDFW management and employee needs.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-011-1303-XXX and RPA Number E-HRB 26-005 in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at . If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

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 below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

  Please provide a one-page Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager's review. Your SOQ will be considered the first interview for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to come in for an on-site interview. When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Please include 1) places of employment; 2) pertinent dates; and 3) duties performed when responding to each question. Resumes do not take the place of an SOQ.

  1. Describe your experience with tracking multiple work assignments and what steps you implement to ensure all deadlines are met.

  2. Explain a time when you dealt with a difficult client/customer and how you handled the situation.