Personnel Specialist

Job Description and Duties

LT up to 24 months, may become permanent.

REPOST: If you have previously applied for this position under JC-522044, you will need to reapply to be considered for this position.

Are you looking for a job you can feel passionate about? The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is seeking hard-working, resourceful, and enthusiastic individuals committed to excellence in a fast-paced environment while delivering quality customer service. The Personnel Specialist (PS) plays a key and primary role in supporting the California State Payroll System (CSPS) Project by performing essential data validation, employee record cleanup, and process documentation to ensure accurate information is ready for system conversion. The PS also participates in system testing and works with statewide and departmental teams to support a smooth transition to the new HR, payroll, travel, and expense system.

In addition to CSPS responsibilities, the PS ensures employees are paid accurately and on time by documenting, reviewing, and processing payroll, personnel, benefits, and leave transactions in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, policies, and deadlines. Under the general direction of the Supervisor I, the PS is also responsible for personnel transactions, payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave accounting for employees across multiple bargaining units and excluded classifications. The incumbent is expected to interpret and apply personnel laws, rules, regulations, policies, and MOUs and develop increasing independence as experience is gained.

CalRecycle has adopted telework for employees who can effectively perform their essential work functions remotely. This position may offer telework opportunities under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, consistent with the CalEPA telework policy and future program needs. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. All employees may be required to report to their designated headquarters at their own expense.

Per CalHR, the Personnel Specialist classification is eligible for an annual recruitment and retention bonus, payable upon meeting the criteria outlined in Pay Differential 240.

As of July 1st, 2026, the position is office-centered, and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week. This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program needs. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the positions designated headquarter location, as reflected on the duty statement and at their own expense.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The incumbent works in a high-rise office building in an enclosed, non-windowed office cubicle in a smoke-free environment. The work schedule is Monday through Friday. Mandatory overtime, including evening and weekend work, may be necessary during the year end closing process or when the department is mission tasked. Travel may be required locally and within the state.  

Special Requirements

When submitting application in hard copy, applicants are required to submit a standard state application (Form Std.678) with an original signature, and clearly indicate HRC0005536 & Position # 835-336-1303-920  in the “Job Title(s)” section of the Standard State Application or you will not be considered for the position.

If you would like to use education in conjunction with experience to satisfy the minimum qualifications, you must attach a copy of your degree and/or transcripts (unofficial or official) to your application to ensure the educational requirements have been met for this position. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

*** We encourage applicants to apply electronically. ***

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:

• General Human Resources experience
• General experience processing personnel and payroll documents
• Experience reviewing, auditing, or processing time sheets, leave accounting, or timekeeping functions
• Experience processing health, dental, vision, retirement, COBRA, or other benefit-related actions. (Health, dental, vision)
• Experience completing new-hire onboarding, placing employees on payroll, completing PAR forms, or processing HR transactions
• Experience using ServiceNow for ticketing, workflow processing, or HR case management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.

Benefits

In addition to a compelling vision for California, CalRecycle offers competitive pay, benefits, and features for its workforce. To review the pay and benefits offered to California civil service staff, please review CalHR's website at  CalHR Benefits Website - CalHR

Statement of Qualifications

Candidates are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). The SOQ serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and should be no longer than one page, using no smaller than a 12-point size font. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an appropriate SOQ will not be considered for an interview.

When responding to the Statement of Qualifications, applicants must follow these guidelines:

• Applicants must answer the questions listed below in numerical order.
• SOQ shall not exceed one (1) page in length and should be single-spaced, using no smaller than a 12-point size font.
• The document shall be titled “Statement of Qualifications” and your full name.
• When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience, education, and/or training.
• Responses are to be clear, concise, and complete.

1. Please describe a time when you were responsible for completing a work assignment while managing several competing priorities. Explain your role, how you evaluated and prioritized the tasks, the steps you took to resolve each item, and how you ensured all deadlines were met.

Please note Resumes, letters, Supplemental Questionnaire, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Responses must be numbered and submitted in the same order. Applications received without an SOQ may be rejected.

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 -

  Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section below for instructions.