EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MANAGER I

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Employment Development Department in California is seeking an Employment Program Manager I to supervise a unit performing Unemployment Insurance (UI) duties, including fact-finding interviews, eligibility determinations, and claims processing. The role emphasizes leadership, training, and delivery of accurate, courteous service.

The position offers a hybrid telework arrangement with a Sacramento-area base, working hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and a salary of $6,525.00 to $8,170.00 per month.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff performing fact-finding interviews and processing UI claims.
• Respond to customer inquiries with prompt, accurate, courteous service.
• Provide training and mentoring to staff as needed.
• Lead and guide staff in implementing EDD policies and program changes.
• Promote Equal Employment Opportunity principles in hiring and development.

Job description

Job Posting: Employment Program Manager I

Employment Development Department

$6,525.00 - $8,170.00 per Month New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

The Unemployment Insurance Center – Rancho Cordova is hiring an Employment Program Manager I (EPM I)! Under the general direction of the Unemployment Insurance Section Manager or alternate manager, the EPM I supervises a unit of staff performing Employment Program Representative (EPR) duties related to determining claimant eligibility for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Responsibilities include overseeing staff conducting fact-finding interviews, responding to customer inquiries, and processing claims in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions. The EPM I ensures the delivery of prompt, accurate, and courteous service to internal and external customers and may conduct training and provide mentoring support.

The EPM I provides leadership by modeling the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Employment Development Department (EDD) and the Branch through daily interactions with staff and customers. The incumbent supports the Multifunctional Center effort and works collaboratively with staff to ensure effective and efficient delivery of assigned program responsibilities while promoting quality service and recognizing team accomplishments.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Leading and engaging staff in the implementation of EDD policies and procedures, new initiatives, and program changes.
• Providing guidance, coaching, and support to staff while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Applying Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles in all aspects of hiring, training, development, and assignment of duties.
• Monitoring workload and performance expectations while promoting employee growth and operational excellence.

Location/Telework Information: This position is headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California and may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule in accordance with EDD's Telework Policy and operational needs.

In alignment with statewide direction regarding in-person work requirements, telework schedules are subject to change based on departmental business needs and state policy. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees may be expected to report in person up to four days per week, consistent with current statewide guidance and applicable agreements.

Travel expenses to and from the headquarters office are the responsibility of the employee.

This position is located in Sacramento County.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Office/Cubicle

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MANAGER I

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-537940

Position # (s): 280-025-9189-004

Working Title: Employment Program Manager I

Classification: EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MANAGER I

Salary: $6,525.00 - $8,170.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Week: Monday - Friday

Department Information

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is one of the largest State departments with employees at hundreds of service locations. For more than 70 years, the EDD has connected millions of job seekers and employers in an effort to build the economy of the Golden State. In order to continue our mission, we are constantly looking for the best and the brightest to join our ranks. Working at EDD presents many opportunities. If you strive to make a difference, we invite you to seek a career with EDD.

Department Website: http://www.edd.ca.gov

Special Requirements

SOQ should not exceed one page. A cover letter or resume is not an acceptable substitute for a Statement of Qualifications.

This SOQ is the first phase of the hiring process and will be used in the initial screening process.

Responses must reflect the applicant’s own original work and may not be generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is not a resume or cover letter. Resumes and/or Cover Letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ or an SOQ submitted without following instructions may not receive further consideration and may be excluded from the hiring process.

The SOQ will be considered the first phase of the hiring process for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you may be invited to an interview.

The SOQ should be typed and no more than one page in length, not less than 12-point font, single-spaced, with margins not less than one inch, including your first and last name at the top of the page.

SOQ must be numbered and completed in the exact order the following questions are presented:

1. Describe how your experience, knowledge, and skills have prepared you to lead, guide and develop others in the work environment.
2. Describe your approach to managing competing priorities, addressing workload challenges and maintaining accuracy and timeliness.

Background Investigation Requirement

The position(s) may require an applicant to pass a background investigation. However, applicants will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless they receive a conditional offer of employment.

The department will make an individualized assessment of whether the conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job and the work performed by the department. The department will consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency, nature and seriousness, and age at the time of the offense(s).

The investigation will consist of completion of a personal history statement and fingerprinting checks with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and/or local law enforcement agencies. Anyone failing to pass the background investigation will be provided information on how to appeal the process. A criminal conviction may not result in an automatic determination of "Not Qualified."

ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The Employment Development Department may require a new probation in accordance with applicable probationary period rules.

Click on the link to complete the Employment Development Department Recruitment Survey: EDD Recruitment Survey

Merit System Principles

Information regarding Merit System Principles provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Training/Pages/performance-management-merit-system-principles.aspx

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.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website, www.calhr.ca.gov, and the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov.

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:

• Effective Time Management and Organizational Skills.
• Effective communication and writing skills
• Customer services and teamwork skills
• Leadership and decision making skills
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Recent two years of UI systems knowledge and experience is desirable.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.edd.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact: Elena Garay [phone] [e-mail]

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 [phone] [e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.