Exam Bulletin - Staff Program Auditor (IS), CalPERS

Public Employees Retirement System

Exam Code: EX-5355

Examination Plans Included:

  • STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS: $7,674.00 - $10,087.00 per Month

View the STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 8/3/2026
  • 8/17/2026
  • 9/8/2026
  • 9/21/2026

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    5355

For STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-05355

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Public Employees' Retirement System
    Human Resources Division
    Attn: Selection Services - Exams
    P.O. Box 942718
    Sacramento, CA 94229-2718

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Public Employees’ Retirement System
    Human Resources Division
    400 P Street, Lincoln Plaza North
    1st floor drop box by security desk
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00104085 - STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CALPERS

Either I
Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing professional information systems auditing duties of a class at a level of responsibility at least equivalent to a Associate Program Auditor (IS), CalPERS.

Or II
Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible experience performing professional auditing, including at least three years' experience in information systems auditing and programming systems analysis of large or complex data processing systems. Experience must have included the preparation of written audit reports and the presentation of recommendations to management. For at least one year, these responsibilities must have included duties at a level equivalent to an Associate Program Auditor (IS), CalPERS. Possession of an advanced degree (master's or doctorate degree) in one of the subjects described in the education requirement may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of a master's degree being equivalent to one year of experience and a doctorate degree equivalent to two years of experience. And

Education: A four-year college degree, preferably with a major in accounting, business administration, public administration, economics, mathematics, management information systems, computer sciences, computer programming, or a related field. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Position Description

00104085 - STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CALPERS

Definition of Series
Positions in this series function as experts in developing and applying audit applications to information systems and procedures; plan, develop, and perform detailed audit programs to evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness, efficiency, and the vulnerability to risk of data processing systems utilized by CalPERS and CalPERS' contractors, vendors, and public agencies subject to audit by CalPERS; develop audit applications for mainframe, networked, and stand-alone microcomputers; act as information systems consultant to, and advise, audit teams on methods of testing systems and databases; interview personnel at all levels of organizations involved; develop relevant information; identify possible causes of problems; draw conclusions and develop feasible and cost-effective recommendations concerning identified weaknesses or problems based on an objective and independent evaluation of evidence; assess compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and requirements; prepare written information systems audit workpapers, findings, and reports; advise CalPERS systems designers, program managers, and staff on audit and control questions requiring information systems expertise; and provide technical assistance and training in information systems auditing to CalPERS' program evaluators.

Definition of Level
This is the super journey level requiring incumbents, with minimal direction, independently and proficiently to handle highly complex, visible, and/or sensitive internal and field information systems audits, evaluations, reviews, and consulting assignments, and to present findings to management. Incumbents have developed highly specialized information systems review skills and have demonstrated strong analytical abilities and a comprehensive understanding of a broad range of financial and management issues. Incumbents may also assist in the CalPERS' risk assessment and biennial audit planning processes; assist with audit and program evaluation report quality reviews; provide specialized assistance and training in complex information systems auditing and review techniques to other evaluator staff; and may function in a lead capacity with other evaluators.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportWith Application100%

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%

The Training and Experience (T&E) examination consists of job-related questions designed to assess an applicant’s education, training, and experience with performing relevant job duties, as well as the possession of job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. Responses to the questions will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. All competitors will be ranked competitively based on the responses. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, you must meet the examination requirements and must attain a minimum score of 70% on the examination.

NOTE: Please ensure the name used to take the examination matches the name on the STD 678. Incomplete examination responses, application packages, or otherwise missing information may lead to an inability to process a candidate’s examination. CalPERS is not responsible for contacting candidates who fail to submit either the online examination or application materials by the cut-off date. Examination results are anticipated to be mailed to candidates within 2-4 weeks of the cut-off date to which they applied. If you do not receive examination results within 4 weeks of the cut-off date to which you applied, please contact CalPERS using the information provided.


Knowledge of:

  1. Principles and practices of organizational management.
  2. General accounting and auditing principles and procedures.
  3. Standards of the auditing profession.
  4. Quantitative and cost effectiveness analysis methods.
  5. Principles of information systems.
  6. Professional information systems auditing, security, and control standards and practices.
  7. Professional internal auditing standards and practices.


Ability to:
  1. Apply the required knowledge.
  2. Learn and apply specialized information systems auditing methods and procedures.
  3. Conduct complex information systems audits and evaluations of policies, programs, systems, and procedures, and those of entities doing business with the department.
  4. Clearly define objectives and develop approaches and methodologies to meet those objectives.
  5. Identify controversial or sensitive issues affecting assignments.
  6. Conduct effective interviews with staff at all levels.
  7. Conclude as to the adequacy, completeness, accuracy, and fairness of data.
  8. Prepare clear, complete, and concise work papers and reports to effectively communicate results of work.
  9. Gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.
  10. Reason logically and creatively and use a variety of analytical techniques to resolve problems.
  11. Develop and evaluate alternatives to resolve problems identified.
  12. Make decisions and take appropriate action.
  13. Communicate effectively.
  14. Act as a team leader.
  15. Identify, analyze, and recommend effective solutions to unusually complex information systems control problems.
  16. Provide advice and instruction to staff on methods of performing complex information systems audits or computer assisted testing techniques.
  17. Gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.
  18. Develop and evaluate alternatives to resolve problems identified.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the STAFF PROGRAM AUDITOR (INFORMATION SYSTEMS), CalPERS Classification will be established for:

  • Public Employees Retirement System

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies in

  • Sacramento County

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • Public Employees Retirement System

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Public Employees Retirement System
Human Resources Division
Selection Services - Exams
P.O. Box 942718
Sacramento, CA 94229-2718
Phone: (916) 795-2444
HRSD_Exam_SVCS@CalPERS.ca.gov

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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Public Employees Retirement System reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)