Employee Relations and Management Officer

Are you a passionate and visionary leader ready to champion a culture of high-performing HR Teams? The Secretary of State's office is recruiting to fill a permanent, full-time Manager I in the Human Resources Bureau (HRB). Under the general direction of the Personnel Officer, this dynamic incumbent provides oversight (e.g. planning, directing, implementing) to multi-faceted HRB sections. This position will require the incumbent to report to the office four days a week.


As the Employee Relations and Management Officer (Manager I), the incumbent is the first management level over analytical and administrative roles and is responsible to provide program management and technical direction to the key Human Resources areas of Performance Management, Labor Relations, Health and Safety, Wellness, and Equal Employment Opportunity within the Bureau. The incumbent will have significant responsibility formulating and administering program and departmental policies; will plan, organize and direct the activities of the Bureau sections to ensure agency management needs are met. The Employee Relations and Management Officer is a peer and back-up to the Strategic Development & Operations Officer (Manager I) and may serve as the Personnel Officer/Chief of the Human Resources Bureau in their absence and work closely with senior and executive management.

• Leadership & Oversight : Provide management oversight of analytical staff, with two subordinate Supervisors. Serve as the program manager overseeing specialized human resource management disciplines that support the strategic efforts of the Secretary of State's office to meet the agency's mission. Create a sense of direction by guiding and managing the provisions of Human Resources services in accordance with State and Federal employment laws, policies and programs for the Secretary of State. Acts with authority to address operational objectives and strategic program initiatives for complex and specialized Human Resources management programs and policies. Formulates policy concepts that may be of minimal to high consequence and agency-wide impact to be reviewed by the Personnel Officer, Human Resources Bureau and Chief, Management Services Division.

• Consultation and Management Advisor: Oversee the Employee Relations Officer and assume responsibility for decisions that influence process improvements and recommend Human Resources policies and objectives for the organization with regard to employee relations. Determines and recommends employee relations practices necessary to establish positive employer-employee relationships and promote a high level of employee morale and motivation. Review, guide and approve management recommendations for disciplinary processes, up to employee involuntary separations. Participate and represent the agency in pre-settlement, settlement and investigatory settlement hearings and civil suits. Involved with investigatory processes related to labor disputes; monitor and advise management in the progressive discipline process and is responsible to monitor the implementation of a performance improvement process.

Supplemental Questionnaire : Applicants must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire responding to the questions listed below. It should be no more than two (2) pages typed, using professional business font, font size and formatting. Responses do not need to include the question but must be numbered in the same order. Applications without the Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered.

• Describe your distinguishing competencies, areas of expertise, and experience as a manager in Human Resources.
• Describe your direct knowledge and experience in each of the following disciplines in Human Resources: Labor Relations, Performance Management, Health and Safety, Wellness, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
• Describe your experience in coaching/mentoring employees and creating a work environment that stimulates learning and encourages growth to ensure peak performance. Please provide two examples.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions


Occasional off-hours and weekends may be required. This position will require the incumbent to report to the office four days a week.


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• MANAGER I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-520683


Position #(s):
785-230-4969-001

Working Title:
Employee Relations and Management Officer


Classification:
MANAGER I $8,715.00 - $9,899.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Sacramento County


Telework:
In Office


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information
The Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) consists of nearly 750 dedicated public servants who uphold the rights of Californians while also striving to make our government, elections, and businesses both accessible and transparent. Led by an elected leader, accountable to the public, we are dedicated to fostering career development opportunities and growing a skilled workforce that embraces inclusion and values diversity.

Located in downtown Sacramento, the SOS building is within walking distance to a variety of eateries and amenities. Light Rail, State Capitol, Downtown Commons (DOCO), and Golden 1 Center, just to name a few. Conveniently located in the SOS building, the Gold Rush Grille offers delicious daily specials for breakfast or lunch and is open to the public. Our on-site childcare incorporates programs for children six weeks to five years old. Priority waitlist access and special discounted rates are available for SOS employees.

For more information about the SOS, please visit sos.ca.gov .

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction.


Special Requirements
Examination Information: Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link: CalCareers Exam Link .


There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website .


Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 6/26/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.


Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


Secretary of State
Attn: Paul Parham
1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475


Sacramento , CA 95814


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Secretary of State


1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475


Sacramento , CA 95814
Drop off applications in the 1st floor Lobby Rotunda in the secured bin marked Human Resources.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM


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.
• Supplemental Application - Please submit your responses to the supplemental questions as indicated in the Supplemental Questionnaire section above.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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 display leadership, professional and legal ethics to build credibility through the implementation of clear principles.
• Demonstrate clear, concise written and verbal communication skills with tact and exhibit ability to apply state rules and regulations governing Human Resources functions.
• Demonstrate ability to develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to instill a cohesive, team-based environment.
• Demonstrate strong decision-making skills that display effectiveness, reflect agency standards and effectively resolve complex issues.
• Resourcefulness to research, identify and synthesize complex information for the purpose of communicating what is essential at a high level.
• Ability to take initiative in addressing programmatic issues and concerns.
• Aptitude for managing multiple workflows under pressure.

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



Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
Paul Parham
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Sarah Bielski
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.