Job Posting: Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Department of Water Resources

JC-427844
-
Payroll and Benefits Specialist
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

$3,799.00 - $6,116.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 5/20/2024

Job Description and Duties

Are you looking for challenging and meaningful work in a fast-paced environment?  If so, this is the place for you!  Under close supervision of the Personnel Supervisor, you will ensure our workforce is receiving timely pay and benefits while learning about various HR functions.   

 

Telework 1-2 days a week may be an option in the near future. 

In addition to the regular salary, this classification is eligible for an annual recruitment and retention bonus as follows:

  • $2,400 after 12 or more qualifying months
  • $3,000 after 24 or more qualifying months
  • $3,600 after 36 or more qualifying months
  • $4,800 after 48 or more qualifying months 

Please note that this occurs every 12 months!  

Your responsibilities include:

  • Interpret and apply governmental laws and rules concerning personnel transactions.  
  • Solve payroll issues independently by utilizing reference materials, policies and procedures. 
  • Answer inquiries from employees.  
  • Review and reconcile attendance records and payroll. 
  • Research and resolve various personnel, payroll, and benefit issues.  
  • Prepare salary determinations.  
  • Process all benefit related documents such as health, dental, and vision benefits in accordance with the Benefits Administration Manual. 


Process employee appointments and separations and completing special projects such as provide input on policy and procedure updates.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-427844
Position #(s):
840-750-1303-900
Working Title:
Payroll and Benefits Specialist
Classification:
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
$3,799.00 - $4,754.00 A
$4,366.00 - $5,474.00 B
$4,523.00 - $5,663.00 C
$4,886.00 - $6,116.00 D
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Human Resources, Payroll Services Section,
Payroll and Benefits Unit, Sacramento 

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature.  We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department.  Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect.  An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov

Free career consultation services including one-on-one State career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by experienced recruiters are now available at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Career Center, located at the Poppy Pavilion, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Walk-ins are welcome every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-3pm.

 

Special Requirements

You will need to meet the minimum qualifications for the Personnel Specialist to take and pass the examination to establish list eligibility prior to job offer.  

  

The Personnel Specialist minimum qualifications are either: One year of experience in the California state service performing office duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to an Office Assistant, Range B; or Two years of office experience. [Academic education above the 12th grade may be substituted for one year of the required general experience on the basis of either (a) one year of general education being equivalent to three months of experience; or (b) one year of education of a business nature being equivalent to six months of experience.] 

  

(Qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as Either I, II, or III, etc. For example, candidates possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50 percent of the required time of Pattern I, and additional experience amounting to 50 percent of the required time of Pattern II, may be admitted to an examination as meeting 100 percent of the overall experience requirement.) 

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 5/20/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Water Resources
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Water Resources
Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812
08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - No more than two pages typed in Arial 12-point font using standard margins.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

  • Knowledge of and experience performing human resources functions, including payroll, time recording, and benefits,  
  • Ability to research, interpret, and apply Personnel State laws, rules, regulations, bargaining unit provisions, as well as departmental policies and procedures,  
  • Ability to provide quality and tactful customer service, communicate effectively, and maintain cooperative relationships,  
  • Ability to work independently and with a team under limited supervision.  
  • Ability to take initiative, organize and prioritize work to meet established deadlines.  
  • Successfully perform independently or as a team member.  
  • Detail oriented with the ability to multi-task and handle shifting priorities. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills. 
  • Maintain regular, consistent, and predictable attendance. 
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and SharePoint. 
  • Familiarity working with the various HR systems such as SAP, SCO, myCalPERS, and HR Connect. 

Benefits

Our headquarters located at 7th & P Street in downtown Sacramento is the newest high rise tower that features sustainable construction, plenty of natural lighting and functionally-designed work spaces including sit-stand work stations. Our LEED Platinum headquarters has a full-service cafe, an onsite fitness center, indoor bicycle storage, and is walking distance to nearby restaurants.  Visit our Natural Resources Agency website for more exciting information: https://thrive.cnra.ca.gov/ 

  

In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, we offer an award-winning employee recognition program, ongoing learning and development opportunities, and new daycare facilities are in the making. We’re also located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass! 

  

DWR offers a competitive pay schedule and work-life balance for all its employees.  The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

 

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Jennifer Hall
(916) 820-7840
Jennifer.Hall@water.ca.gov

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:
Office of Workforce Equality
(916) 653-6952
weo@water.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.

Special Instructions

To be considered in joining our team, please ensure you submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position # 50094408 / Job Control # 427844 in the “examination or job title for which you are applying” section of your application. 

  

The SOQ is a narrative that addresses how your experience, training, and education specifically relate to the duties and desirable qualifications of this position. The SOQ must be typed in Arial 12-point font using standard margins and no more than two pages. A resume or cover letter does not substitute for the SOQ. Incomplete applications, missing resumes, and/or without the SOQ or those that do not address what is being requested may not be considered.  

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. For information on how to apply for a DWR position, check out our DWR Hiring Process webinar by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/LYVYxbdj4j4 .  If you would like to talk to our recruiter directly, contact recruiter@water.ca.gov to schedule a quick consultation.   

Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status. 


 

Examination/Assessment

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To view the job application process video, click here.

 

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

 

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link.


PERSONNEL SPECIALIST


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.

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