Personnel Program Manager

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR); Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Professional development

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) seeks a senior leader to oversee the Personnel Management Division, guiding a team of personnel professionals and advising on classifications and pay policy. The role interacts with the Governor's Office on exempt appointments and executive salaries, and supports the California Citizens Compensation Commission.

The position emphasizes leadership, strategic guidance, and collaboration with state partners in a hybrid work setting in Sacramento.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience in managing and coaching a team, including managers, providing clear direction to team members, supporting their work and growth.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement personnel policies and pay guidelines.
• Experience guiding staff and stakeholders at multiple levels and interpreting personnel laws.
• Ability to build highly effective, service-oriented teams and manage complex personnel management matters.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day administrative activities of a team of personnel professionals within the division.
• Provide classification and compensation policy guidance to departments and agencies.
• Address complex statewide personnel management issues in collaboration with other managers and stakeholders.
• Serve as primary contact for the Governor's Office on Exempt appointments and Executive salaries.
• Assist Secretary for the California Citizens Compensation Commission and support Executive salary determinations.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder management

Policy guidance

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Why join CalHR? The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is the pillar of human resources management for all state employees. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 400 CalHR team members who serve as trusted advisors to our strategic partners and the public. If you are interested in providing exceptional human resource services and guidance, CalHR is the place for you. By joining our team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate professionals. Get to know us more here!

CalHR employees are excluded from bargaining and are eligible to receive enhanced benefits, such as CoBen benefit allowance, employer paid life insurance, additional vacation/annual leave, and are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role.

About This Role

Are you passionate about Human Resources (HR)? Do others look to you as an HR leader? Are you interested in making civil service HR better? Do you want to work with a diverse, dedicated team of experts to provide statewide policy guidance and customer support to the HR community? Then the Personnel Management Division (PMD) may be the right home for you. As a leader in the management team within PMD, you will oversee the day to day administrative activities of a team of personnel professionals, provide classification and compensation policy guidance to departments and agencies and address complex statewide personnel management issues in collaboration with other managers and stakeholders. If you can't resist an HR mystery or a challenge, apply for PMD today!

As a key member and a recognized statewide authority of the Personnel Management Division, this position is distinguished from other division managers because of its greater complexity and sensitivity of assigned responsibilities with Exempt and Career Executive Assignment (CEA) appointments in a Control Agency setting. Under the general direction of the Assistant Division Chief (CEA), the incumbent is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of a team of personnel professionals within the division; serves as a point of contact with the Governor's Office on Exempt appointments and Executive salaries; serves as the primary contact for the CEA salary program; and serves as an assistant Secretary for the California Citizens Compensation Commission. The incumbent provides high-level management advice and determinations to the Governor's Office and Executives in State service.

Working Conditions

• Career Development: CalHR provides continuous learning and training opportunities to support personal and professional growth, including two Professional Development Days per fiscal year.
• Location: CalHR is centrally located near the Ice Blocks in downtown Sacramento, with many dining and shopping options nearby.
• Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance is fostered through measures like telework and adjustable schedules, allowing personal and professional lives to thrive together.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: A work culture that emphasizes a culture of diversity and inclusivity, offering tangible rewards and recognizing the intrinsic value of varied perspectives and collaboration.
• Generous State Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance, long-term disability insurance, 11 paid holidays per year, paid time off, defined benefit retirement program, commute program, employee wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts.

This position is eligible for a 5% Pay Differential (Pay Diff # 248).

Telework

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Personal Leave Program

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 3% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

Merit Salary Adjustment (MSA)

Approximatley every 12 months, based on performance, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

Minimum Requirements

• PERSONNEL PROGRAM MANAGER II
• MANAGER II

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-538645

Position #(s): 363-600-5323-005

Working Title: Personnel Program Manager

Classification: PERSONNEL PROGRAM MANAGER II

Salary: $9,572.00 - $10,867.00

Shall Consider: MANAGER II

Salary: $9,572.00 - $10,867.00

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) oversees a wide range of matters related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment, and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

Our Mission

To serve as the trusted advisor to our strategic partners and the public, providing exceptional human resource services and guidance in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Our Vision

Shaping California’s future of public service excellence with fair and equitable employment opportunities and a diverse, engaged workforce.

Core Values

People Centric, Leadership, Accountability, DEIA, Integrity, and Transparency.

Special Requirements

• Describe your breadth of experience and expertise in guiding staff and stakeholders at all levels, interpreting personnel laws, and dealing with complex personnel management matters. Please provide specific examples that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
• Describe your experience building highly effective and service-oriented teams and employing techniques of organizing (project/program management) and motivating staff.
• Describe your experience and philosophy on how to create and strengthen partnerships and working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience in managing and coaching a team, including managers, providing clear direction to team members, supporting their work and growth, and successfully administering human resources programs.
• Personnel management experience is required in either a control agency setting or a line department, as well as familiarity with principles of classification and pay, salary setting, and requirements of the Dills Act.
• Strong change management, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to plan, develop, implement, and track program outcomes to meet the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate ability to work under pressure and handle multiple competing priorities simultaneously while constantly meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to analyze complex program/day-to-day operations issues, make sound recommendations, and present them to upper management and stakeholders for input and buy-in.
• Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with individuals at all organizational levels and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to build relationships and work well with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leaders, State departments, and other program stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to provide superb customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Human Resources Contact

Jordan Mariner

[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

RA Coordinators

[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.

Examination Information

The Manager II exam is used in place of a Personnel Program Manager II exam. Take the online Manager II exam to become list eligible for this position.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.

Department Website: https://www.calhr.ca.gov