Special Assistant to the Undersecretary, Administration

Job Description and Duties

Position pending budgetary approval.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is seeking a Special Assistant to the Undersecretary, Administration to join our Executive Staff within the Office of the Secretary.

This is a high-profile position, serving as the primary policy advisor to the Undersecretary, Administration on a wide variety of departmental policies and procedures. With applicable experience and knowledge of how to develop and roll out policies and procedures, this position will advise leadership on a multitude of issues and make sound decisions that align with the Department’s mission and vision.

The ideal candidate for this role has expansive knowledge of CDCR’s strategic goals, mission, and the vision of the Department. This position requires forward thinking, a strong independent work ethic, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. We are looking for someone who is resourceful, personable, and extremely organized.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their job application.

This advertisement is for a Career Executive Assignment (CEA) Level A position located in Elk Grove, CA (Sacramento County). Please indicate the position number on your application: 065-001-7500-xxx.

Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

To learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity, please contact MerSades Elder, by email at [email protected] or by phone at (279) 210-3225.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located in Elk Grove, CA and is office centered with a minimum of 4 days in-office.

Special Requirements

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 (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to .

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:

1. Knowledge of the organization and mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and current issues faced by the Division of Administrative Services, Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight, Division of Facility Planning, Construction and Management, Division of Enterprise Information Services, and the Department as a whole.

1. Demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing and work collaboratively with the Governor’s Office, legislative staff, high-level officials within state and federal government, control agencies, special interest groups, the public, the courts, and departmental staff.

1. Ability to advise executive staff and the Undersecretary on a wide range of sensitive and controversial issues while making sound decisions that will uphold the integrity of the Department.

1. Experience in and knowledge of the development, implementation, formulation, and coordination of policies and procedures. To include leading meetings with various stakeholders to coordinate updating, developing, and implementation of policies and procedures, and regulations.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at .

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at

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This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Statement of Qualification (SOQ) Examination Instructions

All interested applicants must submit a completed SOQ with the application package.
The SOQ should be no more than two (2) pages in length and should be single-spaced and typed in 12-point Arial font. Please include your name and page number on each page.
The SOQ must be numbered, with the four (4) prompts restated in the same order as below. Your response to each prompt should provide multiple detailed examples of your experience and describe your qualifications in the areas below:

1. Knowledge of the organization and mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and current issues faced by the Division of Administrative Services, Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight, Division of Facility Planning, Construction and Management, Division of Enterprise Information Services, and the Department as a whole.
2. Demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing and work collaboratively with the Governor’s Office, legislative staff, high-level officials within state and federal government, control agencies, special interest groups, the public, the courts, and departmental staff.
3. Ability to advise executive staff and the Undersecretary on a wide range of sensitive and controversial issues while making sound decisions that will uphold the integrity of the Department.
4. Experience in and knowledge of the development, implementation, formulation, and coordination of policies and procedures. To include leading meetings with various stakeholders to coordinate updating, developing, and implementation of policies and procedures, and regulations.

Please note: Applicants who fail to submit a Statement of Qualifications will be eliminated from the examination. Resumes do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.

For additional information on how to complete an SOQ, please visit our executive careers website at:

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the “Statement of Qualifications” section below for specific requirements.