Assistant Secretary, External Affairs

This position provides telework opportunities, including the ability to work partially remote.

The Government Operations Agency is responsible for coordinating and overseeing state operations, including procurement, information technology, and human resources. The mission of the Government Operations Agency is to improve management and accountability of government programs, increase efficiency, and promote better and more coordinated operational decisions. The Government Operations Agency oversees the Office of Administrative Law, California Public Employees' Retirement System, California State Teachers' Retirement System, State Personnel Board, Victim Compensation Board, Department of General Services, Department of Technology, Office of Data and Innovation, Cradle to Career, Department of Human Resources, Franchise Tax Board, and Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

Under the general direction of the Undersecretary within the Government Operations Agency, this position will assist in the management and development of the CalEngage Program, Generative AI (Gen AI) Outreach, and other External Affairs functions for the agency. This assignment involves state-wide cross-cutting workload involving the operations and effectiveness of state government.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

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.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-446469

Position #(s):
337-100-7500-013

Working Title:
Assistant Secretary, External Affairs

Classification:
C. E. A. $10,048.00 - $12,161.00 A

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information The California Government Operations Agency (GovOPS) is responsible for administering state operations including procurement, information technology, and human resources. The mission of GovOps is to improve management and accountability of government programs, increase efficiency, and promote better and more coordinated operational decisions.
Department Website: https://www.govops.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. The examination process for this position consists of a Standard State Application (form STD 678), Resume, and SOQ evaluation. The SOQ will be used to evaluate 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 two (2) pages in length, and typed using no less than 12-point Arial font. The SOQ must address the following questions and in order listed below:

1. Describe your experience developing and implementing strategic goals and policies for a program while supporting an organization's mission.

2. Describe your experience collaborating with stakeholders to develop and implement policies that provide guidance to ensure the projects that you are working on will have a successful outcome and what would be your mitigation strategy be if the intended outcome is not successful.

3. Describe your experience with the full project management lifecycle, including your experience managing highly visible and consequential projects with a diverse group of stakeholders.

Note: Each response must include the number of years of experience you have and must include specific examples to support your response.

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. Please contact the hiring manager if you have any questions or would like further clarification on these requirements.

Write your responses carefully. Evaluation of each candidate will be based on the content of the answers and written communication skills demonstrated in the SOQ.

Other application documents (e.g., resumes, cover letters) do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.

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 examination and selection process.

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: 9/3/2024
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 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:

Government Operations Agency
Attn: Human Resources Office - Stephanie Lopez
1515 S Street
North Building, Suite 500
Sacramento , CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Government Operations Agency
Human Resources Office - Stephanie Lopez
1810 16th Street

Sacramento , CA 95811

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED AS PART OF THE EXAMINATION PROCESS and must be submitted to be considered for this position. Candidates who fail to submit a SOQ will be eliminated from the examination process. Please read the "Special Requirements" section above for further information.

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.

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:
• Ability to reason logically and creatively
• Possession of excellent judgment, political sensitivity, written and verbal communication skills, as well as highly developed interpersonal public relations, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Ability to develop and maintain a level of professional integrity to ensure that the best interests of the Government Operations Agency are served
• Ability to work well with internal and external stakeholders
• Deep commitment to ethnic, gender and cultural diversity and inclusion in the workforce

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 application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://www.govops.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Stephanie Lopez
(916) 926-0230
stephanie.lopez@calhr.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Stephanie Lopez
(916) 926-0230
stephanie.lopez@calhr.ca.gov

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:
RA Coordinators
(916) 324-3235
RACoordinators@calhr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Information
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your social security number, birthdate, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of the application submitted online through your CalCareers account will be redacted automatically upon submission.

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

Applications must be complete and include a description of the duties performed for each position held; reference to a resume ("See Resume") in place of a description of the duties performed will not be accepted.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment for a period of 12 months.

Pending CalHR approval.

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.