What are the responsibilities and job description for the SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST position at California State Controller's Office?
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-521447
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 Program Supervisor or Payroll Officer in the Statewide Disability Program, the incumbent will serve as an expert resource and staff specialist within Personnel/Payroll Operations and will perform duties associated with the research and resolving the most complex payroll disability problems and situations, on a statewide basis, ensuring both documentation and transaction processing are in compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, policies, procedures and bargaining unit contract provisions. The incumbent will be expected to independently identify payroll disability problems, their causes, research alternative solutions, provide recommendations, and consult with analytical staff, coordinating solution implementation as necessary.
Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
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: 6/26/2026
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, J.W.
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, J.W.
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:
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.
Job Code #:
JC-521447
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 Program Supervisor or Payroll Officer in the Statewide Disability Program, the incumbent will serve as an expert resource and staff specialist within Personnel/Payroll Operations and will perform duties associated with the research and resolving the most complex payroll disability problems and situations, on a statewide basis, ensuring both documentation and transaction processing are in compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, policies, procedures and bargaining unit contract provisions. The incumbent will be expected to independently identify payroll disability problems, their causes, research alternative solutions, provide recommendations, and consult with analytical staff, coordinating solution implementation as necessary.
Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Research and resolve the most complex and sensitive disability payroll issues, evaluate automated processes and heavy workload associated with various statewide programs.
- Ensure both documentation and transaction processing are in compliance with Federal and State laws, policies, procedures and Bargaining unit contract.
- Audit and process disability payroll transactions, to update files, histories and generate daily payrolls and supplemental monthly payroll.
- Process pay-generating transactions, transfer of funds between appropriations, establish account receivables.
- Utilize PC software and applications to create payroll transactions and research references on the LAN and the Internet.
- Determine and select the correct payroll application, maintain files, update and delete files as necessary.
- Upload files to the mainframe and request specific files to be extracted for overnight processing.
- Develop and maintain unit training manuals.
- Review, monitor, and evaluate the work of less experienced Payroll/Personnel Specialists, provide training and/or input to their respective supervisor(s).
- Authorize PC uploads to the mainframe computer for entry level staff (containing multiple state employee payments and adjustments).
- Review Technical Letters regarding changes to personnel/payroll resulting from the collective bargaining process.
- Ensure appropriate personnel and payroll documentation instructions are provided prior to statewide distribution.
- Review and recomend potential adjustments to the Payroll Procedures Manual, Operations Guide and Personnel and Payroll Letters prior to statewide distribution.
- Identify, document, and provide test data to analytical staff for system related issues.
- Provide information to the supervisor regarding operational needs, concerns, and improvements to existing policies and procedures.
- Project and maintain temporary overtime expenditures as well as develop annual workload projections for Personnel Operations and Payroll Offices.
- Compile statistical data and develop weekly and monthly reports of unit activities.
- Route, sort, and distribute incoming files to appropriate disability unit or staff.
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: 6/26/2026
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, J.W.
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, J.W.
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.
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