Personnel Specialist
Job details
- Location
- Sacramento County, California
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $48,360 - $77,856/yr
- Posted
- 3 weeks ago
- Apply on
- calcareers.ca.gov
About this role
Job Description and Duties
The California Department of Justice, Office of Human Resources, Payroll and Benefit Services is seeking an enthusiastic individual with outstanding customer service skills to serve as a Personnel Specialist. You will ensure our workforce is receiving timely pay and benefits while learning a significant amount about various human resources functions. As a Personnel Specialist, some of your responsibilities include:
- Interpreting and applying governmental laws and rules concerning personnel transactions
- Solving payroll issues independently by utilizing reference materials, policies, and procedures
- Answering inquiries from employees
- Preparing and maintaining Official Personnel Files
- Reviewing and reconciling attendance records and payroll
- Processing employee appointments and separations
- Ensuring accuracy of timekeeping within Workday by tracking time submission
- Providing guidance and technical assistance to employees and supervisors on Workday navigation, time reporting, absence management
This is a readvertisement of JC-528590, if you have applied no need to re-apply your application is being considered.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
This position has been designated as eligible for telework. The position will however initially require in person attendance 4 days per week on a reoccurring basis. After the initial training period, the candidate would be eligible for a hybrid schedule. The selected candidate would report to Department of Justice headquarters in Sacramento. Expenses related to travel to the office are the responsibility of the employee. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.
Please note New-to-State employees will be given the minimum salary of Range A, unless you meet Alternate Range Criteria 125 in which case you may qualify for the minimum of Range B. As a New-to-State employee, you are not eligible for Range C or D. For current state employees and/or those with reinstatement rights, your salary will be determined in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
NOTE: This classification is eligible for a $2,400 per year recruitment and retention pay differential after twelve qualifying months in classification and increases on a sliding scale each subsequent twelve months in the classification. See below under "Benefits".
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
- This position is located in the Division of Administrative Services, Office of Human Resources, Payroll and Benefit Services, Benefits Team.
- Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
- For more information about the Department please visit the Attorney General's website at State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Special Requirements
- A fingerprint check will be required.
- Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-534708) and the title of this position in the "Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Application.
- Please be certain that your application package Is thorough and completely filled out describing in detail your background experience and/or education and duties. All applications will be pre-screened and only the most qualified and competitive applicants will be included in the interview and hiring Process.
- If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma. An official transcript will be required upon appointment.
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: 10/23/2026Who May 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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents 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 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 -
In no more than one page, please respond to the following questions:
- What is your definition of "customer service", and how would you apply it to this position?
- Why are you interested in this position and how does your education and experience make you a competitive candidate?
- Describe your work experience in Human Resources, or that correlates to Human Resource roles; please include specific details.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge of and experience performing human resources functions, including payroll and benefits
- Good judgment and tact when interacting with the public and professional staff
- Ability to work well under pressure, perform multiple tasks accurately, and handle shifting priorities
- Experience with executing workflows and business processes
- Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment
- Knowledge of the State's human resources functions
- Excellent communication skills for collaborating with supervisors and employees to verify attendance data
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
- Willingness to learn new systems, procedures and regulations
Benefits
In addition to the regular salary, this classification is eligible for an annual recruitment and retention bonus as follows:
Employees in the Personnel Specialist classification who are performing duties outlined in the class specifications and who are employed for:
- Twelve (12) consecutive qualifying pay periods shall be eligible for an annual $2400 recruitment and retention pay differential
- Twenty-four (24) consecutive qualifying pay periods shall be eligible for an annual $3000 recruitment and retention pay differential
- Thirty-six (36) consecutive qualifying pay periods shall be eligible for an annual $3600 recruitment and retention pay differential
- Forty-eight (48) consecutive qualifying pay periods shall be eligible for an annual $4800 recruitment and retention pay differential
Please note that this occurs every 12 months!
The differentials are payable thirty (30) days following the completion of the qualifying pay periods.
If an employee terminates, transfers out of an eligible class, or is discharged prior to completing the twelve (12) consecutive pay periods, there will be no pro rata payment for those months.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
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:EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
[email protected]
Additional Applications Filing Information
Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your applications will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either the electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.
Additional Job Related Information
The Department of Justice is located in the heart of vibrant downtown Sacramento, within easy walking distance of many restaurants and Caesar Chavez Park. For those employees who take public transit, we offer the convenience of a nearby light rail station. For those employees who commute, employee-paid parking is available close to the building.
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.