SECRETARY

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

CalPERS pension

Two weeks vacation per year

Two weeks sick leave per year

Professional Development Days

Personal Holiday

Pre-tax parking

Job summary

The Branch Secretary position in the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) under the State of California Department of Social Services provides essential administrative support and confidentiality handling. You will interact with the public via a Virtual Call Center, track publication requests, and assist with scheduling and interviews.

Hybrid telework is possible, and the role requires in-person attendance as needed.

Qualifications

• Daily interaction with the public and handling clerical duties requiring good written and oral communication.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide full range of administrative support for the OFCO and staff.
• Interact with the public via a Virtual Call Center (VCC).
• Receive, track, and fulfill publication requests.
• Track office equipment and ensure accessibility standards are met.
• Assist with scheduling appointments and facilitating interviews.

Skills

Typing skills

Oral and written communication

Confidentiality

Judgment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

$3,866.00 - $4,840.00 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: 10/29/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Under the supervision of the Ombudsperson, the Branch Secretary provides a full range of administrative support for the OFCO and staff and ensures all activities and work are in accordance with the Department and OFCO requirements. The incumbent must maintain consistent and regular attendance, have a detailed knowledge of departmental organization and clerical procedures; good communications (oral and written); and typing skills; ability to maintain confidentiality of information; and good judgment. Typical duties include but are not limited to; daily interaction with the public on a Virtual Call Center (VCC), receiving, tracking, and fulfilling publication requests, tracking office equipment, ensuring OFCO documents meet CDSS accessibility standards, assisting with scheduling appointments, facilitating interviews, and completing tasks in a timely and efficient manner. The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson seeks a diverse pool of applicants, including those from historically marginalized groups or those who have lived experience in the foster care system.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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

Working Conditions

All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or the required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies.

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with Executive Order N-22-25 the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SECRETARY

SECRETARY $3,866.00 - $4,840.00A New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperon (OFCO) advocates on behalf of foster children and youth regarding their care, placement, and services. The OFCO is an autonomous entity that is empowered to investigate and informally resolve complaints impacting foster youth, increase awareness about foster youth rights, and make recommendations to help support systemic change.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Please answer the following questions. The Statement of Qualifications must be no longer than one page, size 12-point Arial font.

1. How does your job experience or education relate to this position? Please describe your experience in customer service, handling phone calls, organizational skills, Microsoft applications and editing documents.

2. Describe your experience working with juvenile justice and foster care impacted youth and other historically marginalized or underrepresented communities.

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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:

The Branch Secretary must have excellent organization and communication skills; good attendance; good judgment and tact; be flexible in order to meet changing priorities; and be able to handle a variety of assignments under stressful conditions. The Branch Secretary works with confidential and sensitive information and is required to maintain the confidentiality of information they access during the course of their duties.

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
  • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

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

Contact Information

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

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 Office
[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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-t