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SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

California State Controller's Office
Sacramento, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/18/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/16/2026
Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-502006

Position #(s):

051-220-1317-999

Working Title:

Senior Personnel Specialist

Classification:

SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

$5,663.00 - $7,097.00 A

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:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

Personnel/Payroll Services Division

Department Information

The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination employer within the State of California. As California’s chief fiscal officer, the Controller’s Office ensures accountability and transparency of California’s financial practices while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Here, you’ll work in a collaborative and supportive environment with diverse opportunities for professional growth and development. A career with the SCO offers meaningful work that directly impacts the state’s future.

The Personnel and Payroll Services Division (PPSD) of the California State Controller’s Office is responsible for ensuring that more than 290,000 state employees are paid accurately and on time. This division manages complex payroll systems, processes employee benefits, and handles a wide range of personnel transactions. By joining this team, you’ll be at the forefront of delivering essential services that directly affect the livelihoods of state workers across California.

Take the next step in your career with an organization that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of its employees. Apply today and build a California where everyone thrives!

Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.

How did you hear about us? Take our survey!

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of a Payroll Officer, the incumbent serves as an expert resource and staff specialist within the Personnel/Payroll Operations Section. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support and lead responsibilities for the Premium Pay unit/ Account Receivables within the Employment History unit, and independently performs work involving a diverse range of tasks, situations and processing/production environments; functions as a liaison with clients and control agencies. Implements processes and procedures; develops and maintains specialized training programs and internal procedures; represents the department on intra- and inter-departmental teams, and resolves a wide variety of issues.

Duties Performed:

(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

  • Research and resolve the most complex, sensitive and critical problems/issues associated with premium/supplemental pay processing resulting from: Implementation of programs mandated by CB contracts, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; Redesign/enhancement to existing systems and/or PC desktop applications.
  • Unique situations caused by system error or erroneously processed transactions; Problems received via correspondence or telephone inquiry from departments, campuses or employees. Develop and evaluate alternative solutions and provide recommendations for premium/supplemental pay processing.
  • Evaluate manual/automated processes and heavy workloads associated with various statewide programs related to premium/supplemental pay processing and develop/implement effective action plans.
  • Interpret and ensure both documentation and transaction processing are in compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, policies, procedures and CB contract.
  • Assign, coordinate and control workload assignments to staff, to meet established goals and management expectations; identify special training needs for staff; evaluate work performance and provide recommendations to supervisor.
  • Perform activities for special projects or heavy and time critical workloads such as: retroactive collective bargaining affecting premium pays for civil service employees, provide input regarding numerous criteria considered for processing premium/supplemental pays. Provide frequent contact with Department of Personnel Administration regarding rules, audits, validations and eligibilities for over 200 types of premium/supplemental pays. Identify, document and provide system test data to analytical staff for system related changes and/or problems. Recommend automated processes for high volume/time critical workloads.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive training review module and provide training to new and less experienced staff. Develop and maintain the unit operation/desk manual to reflect new or modified procedures and instructions; including special personal computer applications developed through the Client Builder software.
  • Prepare management reports using personal computer software regarding workloads, and/or special project status; develop weekly goals to correspond to management expectations.
  • Review and comment on revisions to Payroll Procedures Manual, and Personnel and Payroll letters prior to statewide distribution.
  • Review control agency letters/memorandums effecting possible changes in procedures and/or processes for differing and provide recommendations to management for procedural modifications; ensure appropriate personnel and payroll documentation completion instructions are in place prior to statewide distribution.


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

Special Requirements

A resume is required.

Take the required examination here: Senior Personnel Specialist Examination

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: 12/31/2025

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 Controller's Office

Human Resources

Attn: Human Resources Office, A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Controller's Office

Human Resources

Attn: Human Resources Office, A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Applications dropped off in person must be received by 5 p.m. in HR, by the final filing date.

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.


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.

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.

Salary : $5,663 - $7,097

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