Senior Personnel Specialist

Under the general direction of a Payroll Officer in the Civil Service Retirement Unit, the incumbent will serve as an expert resource and staff specialist within Personnel/Payroll Operations. Perform duties associated with the research and resolving the most complex retirement, Social Security/Medicare problems and situations on a statewide basis, ensuring both documentation and transaction processes are in compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, policies, procedures and bargaining unit contract provisions.

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

Research and resolve employment history error messages and reports involving retirement and social security/medicare payments, deductions, and adjustments; Handle the most difficult/sensitive and sometimes unique situations that involve retirement, social security/medicare correspondence, and telephone inquiries from State Departments regarding documentation and procedures by researching and referencing resource materials (i.e. the Payroll Procedures Manual, the Operations Guide, etc.).

Independently, identify problem causes, researches historical data, develops and evaluates alternative solutions, provides recommendations, and coordinates implementation. Reconciles historical payroll within the CalPERS system for employees with missing service credits. The incumbent exercises lead responsibility within the unit, provides training, reviews the work of less experienced staff, ensures cut-off dates are met, coordinates and controls workload; authorizes PC uploads to the mainframe computer for entry level staff; assumes responsibility for the unit in supervisor's absence; participates in the Personnel/Payroll Review Committee, on-site and other meetings to improve personnel/payroll efficiency on a statewide basis; provides technical expertise and support in the handling the most difficult and complex personnel/payroll documents and reports on a statewide basis; review California Department of Human Resources Policy Memos regarding changes resulting from the collective bargaining process; ensure appropriate personnel/payroll documentation instructions are provided via these pay letters; identify and document retirement system problems, calculate and test applications to ensure they are correct.

Works on special projects involving new personnel/payroll processes or heavy/time sensitive workloads affecting state agencies, which result from legislation and collective bargaining; identifies documents and provides test data to analytical staff for system related problems.

Provide information to the supervisor regarding unit operational needs, concerns and improvements to existing policies and procedures; compiles statistical data and compiles reports of unit activities for management; reviews and provides comments on revisions to the Payroll Procedures Manual and various desk/training manuals; reviews and provides comments on proposed Personnel and Payroll letters prior to statewide distribution.

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

Working Conditions
Headquartered at The Emerald Tower the State Controller's Office is located on Capitol Mall steps from the Tower Bridge and is walking distance from the State Capitol. The building offers affordable monthly parking, gym access for employees, an amenities center, and a beautiful mid-tower garden terrace. It is conveniently situated a few blocks from Old Sacramento, numerous restaurants, a seasonal farmer's market, and the Crocker Art Museum. Overlooking the Golden 1 Arena and Downtown Commons, the office is just a few blocks from Sacramento Regional Transit's light rail and bus systems, and has convenient access to Interstates 5 and 80, and Highways 50 and 99.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-452120

Position #(s):
051-220-1317-999

Working Title:
Senior Personnel Specialist

Classification:
SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST $5,498.00 - $6,890.00 A

# 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!

To learn more about the SCO, visit: https://www.sco.ca.gov/index.html

How did you hear about us? Take our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCOJOBS

Special Requirements

A resume is required.

Take the Senior Personnel Specialist examination here:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Search/ExamSearchResults.aspx#classid=376

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: 10/16/2024
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.

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 uphold PPSD values: Professionalism, Accountability, Customer Service, Collaboration, and Trust.

• Eager to learn new processes and adapt quickly in an environment with constant changes to workload procedures and priorities.

• Ability to independently research and resolve payroll discrepancies utilizing the Uniform State Payroll System (USPS).

• Ability to comprehend, apply and communicate effectively the current policy and procedures in place that maintain our compliance with CA Gov. Codes, PERS Law, Circular Letters, CalHR memos and Collective Bargaining Unit Contracts and IRS guidelines.

• Ability to prioritize workload on short notice due to special projects in order to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Organized and dependable.

• Attention to detail.

• Willingness to participate in various Personnel and Payroll Services Division (PPSD) meetings and test groups where expertise may be needed to represent the Civil Service Retirement unit.

• Basic PC skills and knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Possess a positive attitude, with a willingness to be a TEAM player while keeping the goal of providing the best customer service to not only our employees but each other.

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

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jesse Rios
(916) 322-3682
jrios@sco.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:
SCO EEO Officer
(916) 324-2223

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.

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.