Chief, Compliance Review and Policy

Reporting directly to the Executive Officer, the Compliance Review Unit and Policy Unit Division Chief serves as a member of Executive Staff, providing high level administrative advice and policy input to top management within and outside the State Personnel Board (SPB). At the direction of the Executive Officer, this position sets statewide merit compliance policy and conducts audits of all state departments to identify and correct violations of civil service laws, rules, and policies. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

Compliance Review Unit

• Oversee the administration of the statewide Compliance Review Unit.
• Coordinate with Department of Human Resources (CalHR) to ensure that statewide departments are subject to a single comprehensive Human Resources (HR) audit.
• Oversee research and development of policy in areas related to auditing functions.
• Report audit findings and make recommendations to the Executive Officer (EO) for approval.
• Coordinate changes in departments' delegations with CalHR.
• Report non-merit related human resources findings and recommendations to the CalHR Director.

Special Investigations Unit

• Oversee the operations of the Special Investigations Unit.
• Oversee highly complex and sensitive special investigations into alleged violations of civil service laws, rules, and policies.
• Monitor and report on departments' compliance with corrective action plans.
• Provide technical expertise on the most complex and sensitive special investigations and make recommendations to executive management of emerging issues arising from the investigations. These types of investigations are of particular interest to the Governor's Office, Agency, Legislature, media, and public.
• Report findings and make recommendations on special investigations.
• Coordinate changes in departments' delegations with CalHR.

Policy Unit

• Oversee the operations of the Policy Unit
• Make changes to civil service laws, rules, and policies affecting the audit process.
• Ensure that merit laws, rules, and policies are clear and provide sufficient guidance to departments.
• Identify and analyze complex, sensitive, and emerging problems and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Serve on task forces and complete special projects where knowledge of high administrative and management expertise and policy influence is required.
• Manage the SPB's Board Item function by ensuring that board items are prepared as a complete and accurate package and following up to ensure compliance with Board orders and actions.

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

Working Conditions
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: .


Minimum Requirements This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

• C. E. A.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-517613


Position #(s):
590-300-7500-001

Working Title:
Chief, Compliance Review and Policy


Classification:
C. E. A. $13,472.00 - $15,297.00 C
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:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time


Department Information Established by the State Constitution, the State Personnel Board (SPB) is charged with overseeing the merit-based, job- related recruitment and selection process for the hiring of state employees who provide critical services to the citizens of California. SPB provides direction to departments through simplifying civil service laws, rules, and policy. In addition, SPB audits departments for merit system compliance. SPB also investigates and adjudicates alleged violations of civil service law which are filed by employees, applicants, and members of the public.

Vision: A responsive and professional civil service workforce that provides premier service to the people of California.

Mission: To create a civil service system that empowers California to become an employer of choice.

Please note, CalHR provides contracted Human Resources services for the State Personnel Board (SPB) and is not an E-Verified employer.


Department Website:


Special Requirements The examination process will consist of:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application (Form 678). All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualification for the position.
• Current Resume
• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please refer to the Statement of Qualifications questions below.
• Hiring interviews may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) requirement:
To be considered for the position, candidates must submit an SOQ as part of their application package. The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how your education, training, experience, and skills qualify you for the position. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. SOQs must be no more than three (3) pages in length and typed using no less than 12-point Arial font. The SOQ must address the following questions in the order listed below:

• Describe your experience improving and managing programs with an emphasis on customer service.
• Describe your experience in making presentations before boards, commissions, committees, the Legislature, or other agencies.
• Describe your experience in formulating and applying procedures, regulations, and policies related to the California civil service system.
• Describe your experience with SPB compliance reviews.

When completing your SOQ, do not provide a single, narrative response. Each question above must be addressed one at a time (i.e.: first provide a complete and independent response to Question #1, then a complete and independent response to Question #2, etc.) for consideration. Additionally, each response must be numbered and include the full text of the question being answered prior to each individual response to clearly indicate which question you are responding to.

Write your responses carefully. Initial evaluation of each candidate will be based on the content of the answers and written communication skills demonstrated on their submitted SOQ.

Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ. Candidates who fail to follow these requirements or who do not provide responses to the specific questions in the order listed will be disqualified from the selection process.

The SOQ, application, and resume serve as the examination for this CEA recruitment. The SOQ identifies the critical factors required in job success for this CEA position.


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: 5/26/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.


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:


State Personnel Board
CalHR
Attn: Human Resources Office - C&H Unit
1515 S Street
North Building, Suite 500
Sacramento , CA 95814


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


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


State Personnel Board
CalHR
Human Resources Office - C&H Unit
1810 16th Street


Sacramento , CA 95814


08:00 AM - 04:00 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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required as part of the examination and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions.

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.


Examination Qualification Requirements All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.


Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.


General Qualifications
State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):


CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.


CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.


CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.


Examination Information


If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.


A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.


The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.


Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.


The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.


Special Testing Arrangements If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.


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.
Department Website:
Human Resources Contact:
Jennifer Catalano
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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:
Frederick Radcliffe
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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.


Additional Application Information
Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for 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.

• Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.
• U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.

Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.


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.