Benefits and Payroll Analyst

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz); Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The GO-Biz seeks a Benefits and Payroll Analyst to independently analyze, coordinate, and administer personnel, benefits, leave, and payroll matters. The role requires expert guidance on laws, regulations, CalHR policies, and bargaining unit provisions, with a focus on accuracy and compliance.

Based in Sacramento, this permanent, full-time position offers hybrid telework and opportunities to optimize benefits programs and payroll processes within the State of California.

Qualifications

• Experience analyzing complex personnel and payroll transactions.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, CalHR policies, and bargaining unit provisions.
• Ability to balance deadlines and respond to customers while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and analyze specialized benefits and leave programs, including FMLA, SDI, and NDI.
• Evaluate processes and controls; recommend improvements for compliance and accuracy.
• Develop procedures to ensure consistent administration of personnel and payroll programs.
• Provide guidance to management and staff on complex personnel/payroll matters.

Skills

Payroll analysis

Benefits administration

Legal compliance

Research skills

Communication

Job description

Job Description And Duties

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is comprised of approximately 240 employees and serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assistance efforts. Our teams are comprised of experts spanning diverse industries, geographic regions, and business backgrounds. Under the general direction of the Supervisor I (Assistant Personnel Officer) within the Human Resources Unit, the incumbent serves as a highly experienced specialized analytical resource responsible for independently analyzing, coordinating, and administering the more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel, benefits, leave, disability, time reporting, and payroll-related matters for GO-Biz. The incumbent provides consultation and guidance to management, employees, and Human Resources staff on more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel transactions and ensures the appropriate application of applicable laws, regulations, statewide policies, and bargaining unit agreements. The incumbent independent research evaluates more responsible, varied, complex and sensitive personnel and payroll issues, interprets and applies federal and state laws, regulations, California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) policies, and bargaining unit provisions, and develops recommendations to resolve sensitive or non-routine matters. Responsibilities include oversight and analysis of specialized benefits and leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Non-Industrial Disability Insurance (NDI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), leave balances, disability pay, time reporting, and other payroll functions. The incumbent identifies trends, evaluates processes and controls, recommends improvements, and assists in developing and implementing procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and consistency in the administration of personnel and payroll programs.

Working Conditions

Hybrid: This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule and requires reporting in-person at headquarters in Sacramento up to 4 times a week.

Position Details

• Job Code #: JC-530304
• Position #(s): 373-100-5402-XXX
• Working Title: Benefits and Payroll Analyst
• Classification: ANALYST III
• Salary Range: $6,623.00 - $8,290.00 A
• # of Positions: 1
• Work Location: Sacramento County
• Telework: Hybrid
• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Special Requirements

• Exam Requirements: Unless you have transfer or reinstatement eligibility, please take the exam to obtain eligibility: CalCareers
• Educational Requirements: If you are using education as your basis of meeting the minimum qualifications, you must provide school transcripts.

Employment Application

Applicants must fill out the "Employment History" section of the State Application (STD 678) with all relevant experience to be considered for this position. GO-Biz will not review attached resumes in lieu of the Employment History section of the State Application (STD 678). Failure to fill out the Employment History section of the State Application (STD 678) will result in disqualification.

Statement Of Qualifications Required

Interested individuals must submit a SOQ. The completed SOQ shall be titled “Statement of Qualifications – Analyst III ” in the upper left corner of the document. Your first and last name shall also be in the upper right corner of the document. The completed SOQ must have 1-inch margins, Arial 12-point font, must not exceed two (2) pages and must number and restate the question being answered. Do not include the instructions in the completed SOQ.

• Describe your experience processing complex personnel transactions. Include the types of transactions you have processed; and the laws, rules, regulations, and/or policies you have applied.
• Describe your experience in researching complex personnel or payroll issues in state civil service and the resources you used from control agencies.
• Describe your experience with balancing competing deadlines and responding to customers while also ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

• 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.
• Final Filing Date: 9/25/2026

Required Application Package Documents

• 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 - All applicants must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Failure to upload a SOQ responding to the information requested may result in disqualification.
• 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.

Department Information

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California's leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. The GO-Biz is committed to enhancing the workforce to improve California's job growth and economic development efforts, through a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Department Website: http://www.business.ca.gov/

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.