PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties

PERSONNEL SPECIALIST (PERMANENT/FULL-TIME) – HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION / PAYROLL/BENEFITS SERVICES / SACRAMENTO, CA

The reporting location for this position is 715 P Street in Sacramento, California. This position will work under the supervision of Personnel Supervisor II.

The reporting location for this position is downtown Sacramento, conveniently located near light rail and major freeway access. This position works under the supervision of a Personnel Supervisor I.

Why Join Our Team?

In addition to competitive State benefits, this classification is eligible for an Annual Recruitment and Retention Pay Differential, rewarding continued service in the Personnel Specialist classification. Eligible employees may receive annual payments of:

• $2,400 after 12 consecutive qualifying pay periods
• $3,000 after 24 consecutive qualifying pay periods
• $3,600 after 36 consecutive qualifying pay periods
• $4,800 annually after 48 consecutive qualifying pay periods and thereafter, subject to eligibility requirements. ()

As a Personnel Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting California State Parks employees by processing a wide variety of complex personnel and payroll transactions. You will receive comprehensive training to independently evaluate and process sensitive personnel actions while ensuring compliance with bargaining unit agreements, departmental policies, CalHR, SPB, and SCO laws, rules, and regulations.

This position is designated as telework eligible and is office-centered.

State housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Kimberly Walker at (916) 902-8741 or [email protected].

This recruitment may be used to fill identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the Final Filing Date of this job posting.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position’s assigned bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction. For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Employees must have the ability to do the following: Work in an office environment in a high-rise building, work under artificial lighting, ability to sit for long periods of time using a keyboard and computer, ability to operate effectively while working under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and exercise a high degree of independence in carrying out the assigned duties. The Personnel Specialist must maintain flexibility to work when and where assigned within the Personnel Transactions Unit. At all times, must maintain a professional and courteous relationship with both internal and external customers. Will resource materials to complete assignments include the Personnel Action Manual (PAM), Collective Bargaining Unit Contracts (MOU's), PPM, CalHR Laws and Rules.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position.

Please include a 1-2 page(s), 12-point font, Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that describes your experience as it relates to this position/Duty Statement. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ.

Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. If selected for the position Official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)

SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.

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:

• Experience reviewing and auditing employee timesheets or work hours for accuracy, including overtime and leave usage.
• Knowledge of payroll rules, pay calculations, and compliance with labor laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Experience preparing and processing personnel or employment transactions (hiring, separations, pay adjustments, benefits changes).
• Ability to interpret and apply pay rules, company policies, or labor agreements when determining compensation or benefits.
• Strong attention to detail when entering, reviewing, or verifying payroll and personnel records.
• Experience with payroll, HR, or timekeeping systems (e.g., PIMS, CLAS, or similar HRIS/payroll systems).
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential employee information with discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing forms, correspondence, or employee notices.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and adapt to changing workloads.
• Ability to research, analyze, and resolve payroll or personnel issues such as overpayments, garnishments, or benefit questions.
• Commitment to customer service when working with employees, supervisors, and outside agencies.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team to support process improvements and operational needs.

Benefits

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

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-066-1303-041 and the Job Control # JC-525316 in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678. Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Special Requirements."