Senior Personnel Specialist

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Parking

On-site Gym

Locker room

CalPERS Pension

401(k) and 457(b)

Flexible Schedules

Paid Time Off

Health, dental & vision insurance

Job summary

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) seeks a Senior Personnel Specialist to manage disability and leave programs, payroll corrections, and employee onboarding in a hybrid work setting. You will interpret laws, collaborate with internal teams, and drive process improvements while ensuring timely documentation and compliance within the Workers’ Disability Unit.

This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to handle sensitive information

Qualifications

• Experience independently processing and resolving complex personnel, payroll, benefits, disability leave, and leave accounting transactions.
• Knowledge of state and federal leave laws and programs, including FMLA and CFRA.
• Experience interpreting civil service laws, bargaining unit provisions, and HR policies.
• Proficiency with SCO personnel and payroll systems and related reporting.

Responsibilities

• Process and administer disability and protected leave programs and related transactions.
• Research laws, rules, and bargaining unit provisions; evaluate issues and propose recommendations.
• Provide consultative assistance to Personnel Specialists and management; may lead assignments.
• Coordinate New Employee Orientations (NEOs) and onboarding activities.
• Monitor, track, and document work with timely follow-up and compliance.

Skills

Disability leave processing

Payroll transactions

Leave accounting

State/federal leave laws

Tools

SCO systems

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career? Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.

Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Supervisor I, the Sr. PS has primary responsibility for the processing and technical administration of the Department’s disability and protected leave programs, including Workers’ Compensation (WC), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Non-Industrial Disability (NDI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL). The incumbent is responsible for keying complex disability and leave transactions, tracking case status and timelines, reconciling information with control agency requirements, and ensuring all required documentation is received, accurately processed, and maintained. The Sr. PS conducts research to resolve discrepancies, consults with internal stakeholders regarding technical processing needs, and provides continuous updates to the Workers’ Disability Unit (WDU).

The Sr. PS performs professional work in support of complex personnel transactions, payroll corrections, quality assurance reviews, data reporting, and procedure development. The incumbent researches and interprets applicable laws, rules, regulations, and bargaining unit provisions; evaluates issues; develops recommendations; and assists in implementing process improvements and internal controls. The Sr. PS provides consultative assistance to Personnel Specialists and management and may lead assignments requiring independent judgment, problem solving, and program evaluation consistent with the Sr. PS classification. The incumbent also assists in coordinating and delivering New Employee Orientations (NEOs), onboarding activities, and other Division-wide trainings to ensure new hires and staff receive accurate and consistent information related to personnel and payroll processes.

The Sr. PS independently monitors and tracks assigned work through completion, ensuring timely follow-up, resolution of issues, and proper documentation of actions in accordance with Departmental standards and control agency requirements.

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

Working Conditions

Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.

Department Information

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees.

The Finance & Logistics Administration Directorate oversees sections managing Cal OES operations including budgeting, fiscal analysis, accounting, grants management, human resources, labor relations, staff recruitment, examinations, organization and professional development, disaster and internal logistics support. The Directorate is comprised of four sections: Administrative Services, Human Resources, Grants Management and Logistics.

In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites.

Finance & Administration | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

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

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience independently processing and resolving complex personnel, payroll, benefits, disability leave, and leave accounting transactions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal leave laws and programs, including FMLA, CFRA, Catastrophic Leave, and disability-related benefits administration.
• Experience interpreting and applying California civil service laws, State Personnel Board rules, CalHR policies, bargaining unit contracts, and departmental personnel policies.
• Knowledge of State Controller's Office (SCO) personnel and payroll systems, processes, and reporting functions.
• Experience researching complex personnel issues and providing recommendations, guidance, and technical expertise to management, supervisors, and staff.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, and audit personnel transactions to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and mandated timelines.
• Experience serving as a lead worker, subject matter expert, trainer, or mentor in personnel, payroll, benefits, or human resources operations.
• Ability to organize and prioritize a high-volume workload, manage competing deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive employee information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and research skills with the ability to identify issues, develop solutions, and implement process improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex personnel and benefits information to diverse audiences.
• Experience developing, updating, and implementing procedures, conducting audits, and recommending operational efficiencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and other systems used to track and report personnel and payroll activities.

Benefits

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

Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station