MANAGER I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gated parking

Electric vehicle charging stations

Job summary

State of California’s FI$Cal department seeks a Strategic Communications Section Chief to lead communications, outreach, and legislative-support efforts, elevating statewide visibility.

The Manager I will translate priorities into actionable strategies for internal and external communications, media relations, and digital engagement, partnering with leadership to advance FI$Cal’s mission.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and applying legislation or policy.
• Skill in analyzing and summarizing legislative updates.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience reviewing, editing, and proofreading written materials for consistency and quality.
• Experience supervising staff, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Experience developing communication materials that support organizational priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead major communication, outreach, and legislative-support efforts for FI$Cal.
• Translate departmental priorities into clear strategies for internal/external communications, media relations, and digital engagement.
• Represent GAO in key engagements and manage high-profile government issues.
• Drive communications that strengthen FI$Cal’s reputation and legislative relationships.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Legislative updates analysis

Written communication

Editing & proofreading

Staff supervision

Communications materials

Job description

Job Posting: Strategic Communications Section Chief

Department of FISCal

JC-532073 -

Strategic Communications Section Chief

MANAGER I

$8,715.00 - $9,899.00 per Month

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

Final Filing Date: 9/25/2026

Please note that to be list appointed for placement in the Manager I classification, you must take and pass the examination.

Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

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

The Strategic Communications Manager is a principal advisor to the Government Affairs Office (GAO) Chief, leading all major communication, outreach, and legislative-support efforts that advance FI$Cal’s mission and statewide visibility. The role turns departmental and GAO priorities into clear, effective strategies for internal and external communications, media relations, digital engagement, public information, Open FI$Cal, and organizational positioning.

Working directly with the GAO Chief, you will navigate sensitive and high-profile governmental and legislative issues, maintainstrong awareness of stakeholder priorities, and representGAO in key engagements when delegated.

This role requires strong leadership, independent judgment, and the ability to translate strategic direction into action, managing rapid priorities, removing barriers, and driving communications that strengthen FI$Cal’s reputation, legislative relationships, and strategic impact.

Working Conditions

At FI$Cal, we are compliant with the Governor's Executive Order, N-22-25, with a default minimum of four in-person days per work week. In-office attendance is mandatory on designated days and is subject to change. Our office is located at 2000 Evergreen Street, Sacramento, California 95815. Candidates residing outside of California are welcome to interview, but proof of California residency is required before appointment. Please note, relocation and commute expenses are the responsibility of the employee.

This position requires prolonged sitting in an office-setting environment with the use of a personal computer. Employees must demonstrate a commitment to maintain a working environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment. All staff must maintain regular, consistent, predictable attendance, maintain good working habits and adhere to all policies and procedures.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at all times during their employment with the Department of FISCal.

• Utilize E-Verify for employment authorization/certification purposes
• Participate in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) extension program

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• MANAGER I

# of Positions: 1

Work Location:

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Our department develops, maintains and o perates FI$Cal, the statewide financial system. The FI$Cal system modernized how the state of California manages its finances and is one of the largest and most dynamic IT and business-transformation undertakings in California’s history. It eliminates the need for hundreds of independent legacy systems by combining the state’s accounting, budgeting, cash management, and procurement operations into a single financial-management system.

Our mission is to operate the statewide financial system to enable California to perform budgeting, procurement, cash management and accounting functions transparently and efficiently.

Our vision is to provide world-class customer service, innovative solutions and efficient system operations as a trusted partner.

Our department has four Divisions: Administrative Services, Business Operation & Solutions, Information Technology and Executive.

This position is located in the Administrative Services Division(ASD), who strives to ensure effective, efficient and strategically aligned business processes that integrate administrative functions. To accomplish this, the Division stresses accessible and reliable Knowledge Management programs as well as formal and informal staff development and succession activities. ASD is committed to ensuring the Department is compliant with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies related to Human Resources, Accounting, Budgeting, Procurement and Contract Management.

• The position requires a Background Investigation to be cleared prior to being hired.
• The incumbent will use tact and interpersonal skills to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, e.g., stakeholders, customers, management, peers, etc., to facilitate communication to improve the work environment and increase productivity.
• This position requires the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and may require excess hours to be worked.
• The incumbentis expected to perform functions and duties under the guidance of the Department of FISCal’s core values.
• The incumbent provides back-up, as necessary, to ensure continuity of departmental activities.
• This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment and once per year thereafter.

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:

• Experience interpreting and applying legislation or policy.
• Skill in analyzing and summarizing legislative updates.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience reviewing, editing, and proofreading written materials for consistency and quality.
• Experience supervising staff, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Experience developing communication materials that support organizational priorities.

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

Our office has free, gated parking, and convenient electric vehicle charging stations available.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://fiscal.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
FI$Cal Human Resources Office
[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:
FI$Cal - 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.

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.