Employment Program Manager I

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

The Employment Program Manager I (EPM-I) is a first line management position. Under the direction of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Center Section Manager or Alternate Manager, the EPM-I is assigned to supervise a unit of staff performing the duties of Employment Program Representatives involved in determining claimant eligibility for UI benefits by conducting fact-finding interviews, responding to inquiries, and performing claim processing activities in accordance with laws, regulations, policies and precedent decisions. Will provide prompt, accurate and courteous customer services to internal and external customers; may conduct training or assist as a mentor.

Monitors all staff functions. Involves staff in the continuous process improvement of the various functions by using the methodology of Total Quality Management (TQM). Prepares and submits related reports in a timely manner. 

Leads and involves staff in the implementation of the Employment Development Department's (EDD) policies and procedures, new programs and program changes; has responsibility for office administration including budget, personnel, payroll, staffing, space planning and organization.

Applies equal employment opportunity policies in all aspects of promotion, training, and assignment of duties.

Travel and/or overtime may be required. 

This position is headquartered in San Diego and may be eligible for rotational telework under EDD's telework policy. Employees are required to report to the headquarter office in San Diego. Travel expenses to and from the headquarter office are the responsibility of the employee.

Position exists in San Diego County.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Office cubicle setting.

Special Requirements

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment

If selected for hire , you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam:

The EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MANAGER I is a Departmental Promotional exam for EDD employees only. The next administration of the EPM I exam is tentatively scheduled for MAY 2027.

For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here .

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:

• Effective Time Management and Organizational Skills
• Effective communication and writing skills
• Customer services and teamwork skills
• Leadership and decision making skills
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Recent two years of UI systems knowledge and experience is desirable

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

The SOQ must be in Arial font, 12 point font, and not exceed 2 pages in length. Be sure to include your name and the SOQ title on the top of the document, and clearly label your responses to each of the three questions.

1. Describe a situation in which you effectively conveyed complex policies, procedures, or program requirements to staff, partners, or stakeholders.
2. Describe your experience managing and overseeing team performance metrics in a fast-paced work environment. 
3. Describe how you manage competing priorities and multiple deadlines.

Responses to the SOQ must be written thoroughly. The initial evaluation of each applicant will be based on content of answers and written communication skills, in addition to all other application materials.

Resume and/or cover letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ or SOQs that do not follow the statements above will not receive further consideration and will be excluded from the hiring process.

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 “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.