Payroll and Benefits Manager

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Supervisor II, the Payroll and Benefits Manager, Supervisor I, is responsible for planning, coordinating and supervising the staff in the areas of worker’s compensation, Non-Industrial Disability Insurance (NDI) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) programs, benefits and payroll transaction functions. The Supervisor I will continually measure and monitor the needs of our customers and identify any areas needing improvement.

Telework is available.

Telework
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule within California based on departmental policy and operational needs. The telework policy is subject to change depending on business needs, and/or reporting to the work site may be required with minimal notification given. Pursuant to Executive Order, effective July 1, 2025, employees in this position will be required to report to the work site a minimum of two (2) days per week, increasing to four (4) days per week effective July 1, 2026. The specific on-site days will be determined by the department based on operational requirements.

Visa Sponsorship
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

CA Residency:

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon a job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

• The work environment often operates at a fast pace where demands require managing multiple high priorities simultaneously, each with tight deadlines.  
• May be required to work outside of normal work schedule.
• Travel may be required in the Sacramento area for meetings and/or training.

Special Requirements

Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed state application (STD. 678) – For exam use only. Please do NOT include your Social Security Number on any of the submitted documents.

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You must provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Each individual response must be numbered and include the full text of the numbered items prior to your response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. The SOQ header should include the Job Control # and “Statement of Qualifications”. Limit your SOQ to a maximum of two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font. Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and résumés do not take the place of the SOQ.

The SOQ serves as a key component of the examination and hiring process and will be used to evaluate your qualifications, as well as your written communication skills. The SOQ is considered a writing sample and must clearly reflect your own knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience. While tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g., ChatGPT), internet resources, or third-party reviewers may assist with research or preparation, by submitting your application you certify that your SOQ is your original work, written in your own words, and accurately represents your background and qualifications. Failure to submit an SOQ that is your own work, including the use of AI-generated or substantially AI-assisted responses that misrepresent your abilities, may result in disqualification from the examination or hiring process. If such misrepresentation is discovered after appointment, it may constitute dishonesty and could result in adverse action, up to and including dismissal from State service.

1. Explain how your education, training, and experience qualify you for this role
2. Provide a specific example of a complex payroll or benefits situation which you had to resolve and include the situation, your involvement, actions you took, and the outcome.

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:

• Strong background in SCO payroll systems, personnel transactions, disability processing, benefits and leave accounting.

• Knowledge of CalHR law/rules/regulations/policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical users, translating complex HR laws/rules/policies/procedures into layperson terms.
• Ability to work within the control agencies’ laws and rules to achieve the goals of the Department’s management.
• Knowledge of computerized management information systems, and experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, Visio and Outlook. PeopleSoft Human Resource System and Service Now.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to think outside-of-the-box.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong and effective management and leadership skills.
• Manage and mentor a unit of multi-disciplinary Personnel Specialists and Senior Personnel Specialists.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal communication and writing skills.
• Regular and consistent attendance is a requirement of this position due to time sensitive workload.
• Ability to encourage team building, facilitate cross training and promote continuous improvement.
• Ability to use motivation techniques and create a positive environment for change in order to provide outstanding customer services to our employees.

Benefits

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

Additional Application Instructions

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

Applicants who wish to submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State Application (STD. 678) revised 10/2023. The position number and job control number must be identified in the job title line of the STD 678 (these numbers will auto-populate in the job title of the STD 678 if submitting an electronic application through CalCareers Account). The hard copy application MUST be signed. Applicants who fail to submit the most current version of the STD. 678 may be disqualified.

Note: Applications MUST include the “From dates“ and “To” dates, “Hours Per Week”, and “Duties Performed” fields for all job listed in the “Employment History” fields, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles). Applications that are submitted blank will be considered incomplete. Reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties will not be accepted. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application information once it is submitted. For all other questions regarding your CalHR CalCareer account, you may contact the CalCareer Unit at Show phone number.

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 - Required. Please see “Special Requirements” section for further information