Personnel Specialist

Job Description and Duties

This is a repost. If you have previously applied for this position, there is no need to reapply.

The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the State.

Under delegation from the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), the Transactions Section is responsible for the personnel transactions functions for CARB and the Office of the Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor I, the Personnel Specialist (PS) is responsible for processing a wide range of employment transactions, payroll actions, and benefit enrollments. The PS will process Requests for Personnel Action including appointments, separations, promotions, retirements, time changes, merit salary adjustments, and range changes; process payroll, benefits, and accounts receivables; and audit timesheets for full, fractional, and/or intermittent employees.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The p ositions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

PLP Language:

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)  
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Occasional travel to the Riverside office may be required to assist employees with personnel related issues and will most often occur during Open Enrollment. 
  

Special Requirements

Applicants must include a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) for this recruitment. Applications without an SQ or include an SQ that does not directly answer all the items below will not be considered. Resumes do not take the place of the SQ.

• Require Name on SQ
• Require Job Control Number on SQ
• Maximum number of pages: 2

1. Please describe in detail what you do to keep organized and how your organizational skills helped you complete a project.

2. Please describe your experience with state personnel rules and policies and explain how that experience would enable you in this position.

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:

The incumbent must be able to demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. They must also be able to exercise good judgment, work effectively and cooperatively within a diverse working environment, and be able to receive direction. This position requires the incumbent have the ability work effectively under pressure to meet short deadlines and last-minute changes in direction. Excellent customer service skills, punctuality, and computer skills are required. 

Among other qualities, the most highly desirable candidates will possess:

• Knowledge of how administrative agencies in State government function.

• Experience in dealing with members of the public, technical staff, and public agencies.

• Ability to meet tight deadlines and respond appropriately to employee concerns.

• Strong attention to detail and tackle challenges effectively.

• Flexibility and willingness to learn in a fast-pace work environment and be able to accommodate last-minute changes.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook applications and a working knowledge of Excel and SharePoint.

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with the State Controller's Office (SCO) Personnel/Payroll Services Division's (PPSD) systems and applications.

This recruitment is contingent upon final Department of Finance approval and budget authorization. Once approved, appointments are anticipated to begin on or after the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, 2026.

Benefits

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

• Gym
• Daycare facility
• Nearby (third-party) parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Located near: Restaurants, shopping, and Downtown Commons (DOCO)

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

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.
• Other -
  • Supplemental Questionnaire (See Special Requirements section for further information)