Job Posting: PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

JC-496364
-
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

$4,030.00 - $6,488.00 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: 11/23/2025

Job Description and Duties

If you’re someone who loves the world of Human Resources and thrives in a close-knit, people-focused environment, our small but mighty HR team might be the place for you. We offer practical, on-the-job training and ongoing opportunities to build your skills in a supportive and collaborative team. If you like variety, value meaningful work, and want to be part of a team that genuinely enjoys what we do (and each other), we’d love to hear from you!

Under close supervision of the HR Manager, the PS is responsible for personnel transactions, payroll, benefits and state and federal leave programs and is required to apply State laws and departmental and control agency rules and regulations, and bargaining unit provisions pertaining to a variety of personnel transactions in the areas of personnel record keeping, certification, payroll, and personnel documents processing and related personnel transactions functions. The predominant duties require a thorough and detailed knowledge of appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and contract language pertaining to personnel transactions. 

This position is 12 month Limited Term Full-time, may be extended to 24 months or become Permanent.

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

Working Conditions

While this position is headquartered at the Auburn office, it is currently eligible for up to 60% telework. In accordance with Government Code 14200, telework eligibility requires California residency and may not be used to live or relocate out of state. Telework arrangements are subject to change based on executive orders or operational needs. The incumbent may be required to report to the Auburn office at the discretion of SNC.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-496364
Position #(s):
415-001-1303-001
Working Title:
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
Classification:
PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
$4,030.00 - $5,044.00 A
$4,632.00 - $5,807.00 B
$4,799.00 - $6,008.00 C
$5,184.00 - $6,488.00 D
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:
Placer County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) mission is to improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of California’s Sierra Nevada-Cascade Region and its communities. With forest health as the foundation, SNC’s keystone initiative, the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program, weaves together four priorities: restoring healthy ecosystems, improving community resilience, promoting sustainable recreation and tourism, and conserving natural and working lands. To date, the SNC has awarded over $140 million to projects throughout the Region, and partnered with other government entities to distribute over $20 million more.

Spanning nearly 27 million acres, the SNC’s service area encompasses all or part of 24 counties and runs from the Oregon border on the north to Kern County on the south. Regional watersheds provide water to more than 75% of Californians and vast swaths of Central Valley farmland.

The SNC values diversity at all levels of the department and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. It is our belief that the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to complex challenges in California’s Sierra Nevada-Cascade region.
Department Website: http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Applying electronically through calcareers.ca.gov is highly encouraged.

To be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer-eligible or take and pass the following exam:

Personnel Specialist – https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4673


Please indicate on the State Application form (STD 678) your basis for eligibility in the “Explanations” field (SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible). The STD 678 must include the following information, or it will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for an interview: "to" and "from" dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, civil service classifications or private sector job titles, supervisor name and phone number, and duties performed. Applications that are blank or that refer to “see resume” in place of duties performed are not acceptable. DO NOT INCLUDE any confidential information in your application or supporting documents (Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, etc.)

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: 11/23/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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:

Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Human Resources
Attn: Danielle Pearson
11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205
Auburn, CA 95603

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Human Resources
11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205
Auburn, CA 95603
08:00 AM - 05:00 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.
  • Supplemental Application - Please see below for Supplemental Application directions.
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:

  • Experience timekeeping, reviewing and auditing permanent full time and permanent intermittent timesheets, tracking leave balances 
  • Experience in state benefits administration (health, dental, vision, COBRA, CalPERS) 
  • Experience with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint) 
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in state payroll transactions, and state and federal leave and benefit programs  
  • Ability to resolve routine customer problems utilizing resources and within existing processes and procedures  
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and beneficial relationships with employees, managers, and others  
  • Experience working with control agencies: State Personnel Board, California Department of Human Resources, State Controller's Office, California Public Employees' Retirement System  
  • Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, and laws  
  • Good problem solving, decision making and critical thinking as well as good written and oral communication skills  
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and flexibility as well as tact and good judgment including maintaining confidentiality of sensitive personnel-related work  
  • Ability to work effectively in a team and independently  
  • Ability to establish workload priorities to meet deadlines 

Benefits

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

Department Website: http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Danielle Pearson
(530) 906-7023
Danielle.Pearson@Sierranevada.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jennifer Barnes
(916) 213-3807
jennifer.barnes@sierranevada.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:
Jennifer Barnes
(916) 213-3807
jennifer.barnes@sierranevada.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.

Supplemental Application

This supplemental application must be no more than two (2) type-written pages in length, use 12-point Arial font and 1-inch standard margins, include your first and last name in the upper right-hand corner, and have Supplemental Application as the title. Please do not cut and paste an AI-generated response.  In addition to responding to the questions, this exercise is intended to help us understand your unique writing skills. 
Demonstrating your writing skills, respond separately to the following prompts:  

In your response, use examples that include the following information:  

Describe your experience administering California state payroll and benefits. 

  • Employer name Your position/title(s) and state classification (if applicable)  
  • How long you held the position(s) that demonstrate your experience in these areas  
  • A supervisor’s name and phone number who can verify the information

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