SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

California Department of Developmental Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The California Department of Developmental Services is seeking a Senior Personnel Specialist to perform highly technical payroll assignments, provide expert consultation on complex personnel areas, and apply state laws, Departmental and bargaining unit provisions. This role emphasizes independent judgment and familiarity with payroll-related regulations.

Hybrid in Sacramento, with a salary range of $5,663.00 - $7,097.00 per month. New state hires start at the minimum salary.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current office methods, procedures, equipment, and basic math principles.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining contract provisions affecting personnel records, transactions, payroll, and certification processes in State departments.

Responsibilities

• Perform highly technical, difficult, complex payroll assignments.
• Provide consultation in sensitive personnel areas.
• Apply State laws, Departmental and Control Agency rules and bargaining unit provisions.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

State laws and rules

Bargaining contracts

Analytical thinking

Job description

Working Title:

Work Location: Sacramento County

Job Description And Duties: RE-ADVERTISEMENT: If you previously applied to this position, it is not necessary to submit a new application. The Senior Personnel Specialist assumes responsibility for performing a full range of highly technical, difficult, complex and sensitive payroll assignments. Utilizes a high degree of independence and judgment in resolving personnel problems and issues. Acts as an expert staff resource providing consultation in the most sensitive and complex personnel areas. Required to have a thorough and detailed knowledge of and apply State laws, Departmental and Control Agency rules and regulations, and bargaining unit contract provisions. Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave. This position is eligible for Annual Recruitment and Retention Pay Differential - 240 . Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: https://www.research.net/r/ddsadmin You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time.

Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-531178

Position #(s): 472-521-1317-XXX

Working Title: Senior Personnel Specialist

Classification: SENIOR PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

$5,663.00 - $7,097.00 A

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

Facility: Department of Developmental Services

Department Information

The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.

These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Department Is Located In a Modern, Sustainable And Innovative Office Building At 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some Amenities Of The Building Include:

• First floor retail space (separate access from 12 th Street)
• Café with multiple vendors
• Outdoor seating for meal breaks
• Employee fitness center which includes a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
• Plaza area with kitchenette on each floor
• Lactation rooms

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

Special Requirements

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than two pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the question below or submit an SOQ may not be considered.

• Please describe why you are the most qualified candidate based on the advertised duty statement.

If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ’s or you may not be considered for the position.

The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of : Current office methods, procedures, equipment, and basic math principles; laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining contract provisions affecting personnel record keeping, personnel transactions, payroll, and certification processes used in State departments.

Ability to : Think logically, multi-task, and apply laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining contract provisions concerning personnel transactions; independently interpret and use reference material; give and follow directions; gather data; design and prepare tables, spreadsheets, and charts; advise employees of their rights; consult with supervisors on alternative actions which they may take on various transaction situations; communicate effectively; operate a computer keyboard/terminal; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with those contacted during the course of the work; organize and prioritize work; create/draft correspondence; maintain personnel records; represent the department on intra/interdepartmental teams; coordinate a variety of personnel/payroll transactions; research critical transactions and recommend alternative solutions.

Benefits

As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.

Benefit Eligibility May Be Based On Job Classification, Bargaining Unit, Time Base And Length Of Appointment. Additional Benefits May Also Be Outlined For Specific Bargaining Units In Employee Collective Bargaining Contracts. For More Information, Please Visit The Links Below:

State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website

CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026

CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2027

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

Contact Information

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

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

Human Resources Contact

Alfonso Alejandre

[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

Equal Employment Opportunity 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.

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.