Assistant Personnel Officer - Talent Acquisition and Program Services

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection; West Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Career growth

Work-life balance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection seeks an experienced Assistant Personnel Officer to lead talent acquisitions and program services, including examinations and workforce development across California. The role shapes statewide strategies, drives recruitment fairness, and improves employee experience in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

The successful candidate will oversee examinations, job analysis, and classification processes, while building scalable systems and partnerships to

Qualifications

• Experience supporting workforce planning, recruitment, and/or examination processes.
• Analytical approach to workforce or exam data with strategy development experience.
• Experience providing high‑level consultation on personnel issues and collaborating with internal/external partners.
• Experience planning, organizing, and managing complex HR programs or projects with coaching or training.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and delivery of statewide workforce development initiatives including Examinations, Career Services and Outreach and Succession Management.
• Oversee examination and recruitment activities to ensure fair, equitable, and efficient hiring practices.
• Drive strategies to strengthen talent pipelines and enhance employee experience.

Skills

Workforce planning

Recruitment

Examinations

Job analysis

Classification analysis

Leadership

Program management

Policy compliance

Job description

Job Description and Duties

CAL-FIRE’s Assistant Personnel Officer – Talent Acquisitions and Program Services (Examinations and Workforce Development) plays a vital leadership role in shaping a skilled, diverse, and mission ready workforce. This position supports the planning, development, and delivery of statewide workforce development initiatives including Examinations, Career Services and Outreach and Succession Management and oversees examination and recruitment activities that ensure fair, equitable, and efficient hiring practices. With a focus on continuous improvement, the Assistant Personnel Officer helps drive strategies that strengthen talent pipelines, enhance employee experience, and support long term organizational success. The ideal candidate is an adaptable leader who enjoys building systems, supporting people, and solving problems. They thrive in a fast paced environment, communicate with clarity and confidence, and bring a strong commitment to operational excellence and workforce equity. They have experience with examinations, job analysis and classification analysis, recruitment, workforce development programs and are ready to take the next step in people leadership.

Why CAL FIRE?

• Strong work-life balance with a consistent schedule
• State benefits including retirement, health, dental, and vision
• Opportunities for career growth and upward mobility within state service
• A mission-driven culture where your work supports communities across California
• A team environment that values reliability, professionalism, and support

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the .Working Conditions

With easy access from both Hwy 80 and Hwy 50, this position is headquartered in the Riverpoint Marketplace area of West Sacramento near IKEA. Our building offers FREE PARKING and is within walking distance of numerous restaurants and shops. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time. This travel may be local or statewide and may involve overnight stays. This position is required to report to the office a minimum of 4 days per week, with a one day telework/hybrid option. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

Special Requirements

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete. 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 must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate 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.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications

1. Explain your experience supporting workforce planning, recruitment, and/or examination processes. What is your analytical approach to workforce or exam data and give an example of when you developed strategies to address workforce gaps or classification challenges.
2. Describe a situation where you provided high-level consultation on a sensitive or complex personnel issue. Include the nature of the issue, how you collaborated with internal/external partners (e.g., CalHR, SPB, LRO, EEO/DEIB, leadership). Provide the outcome and any long‑term organizational impacts that were identified.
3. Provide an example of how you effectively managed multiple projects, deadlines, or priorities in a fast‑paced, diverse environment. Include the tools or methods you used to stay organized and how you adapted to changing direction and other competing priorities.
4. Describe your experience planning, organizing, and managing complex Human Resource programs or projects. In your response, include the scope of the program(s) or teams you led, your role in directing staff, providing coaching or training, and how you ensure compliance with policies, laws, and organizational goals.

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 -

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

- A

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

is

REQUIRED

and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process.