PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
California State Controller's Office
About the Role
The Personnel Specialist role is a trainee through advanced journey level position within the Statewide Disability Program, under general supervision of the Program Manager. Incumbents will be assigned progressively more complex and difficult duties as they gain experience and training.
Key Responsibilities
- Audit and process disability payroll transactions, update files and histories.
- Generate daily payroll and supplemental monthly payroll.
- Process pay-generating transactions, transfer of funds between appropriations, and establish account receivables.
- Utilize PC software and applications to create payroll transactions and research references on the LAN and the Internet.
- Determine and select the correct payroll application, maintain files, update and delete files as necessary.
- Upload files to the mainframe and request specific files to be extracted for overnight processing.
- Audit, research, and resolve computer-generated error messages for disability and adjustment transactions, requiring abstraction and analysis of detailed information and determination of correct computations.
- Cross-train in other units to support overall improvement of team performance.
- Act as a payroll telephone liaison to state departments, responding to a variety of inquiries.
- Research and resolve inquiries regarding payroll documentation and procedures using reference materials such as the Payroll Procedures Manual and Operations Guide.
- Provide instructions to customers regarding corrective action resulting from the audit process.
- Route, sort, and distribute incoming documents to the appropriate disability unit or staff.
Requirements & Tech Stack
- Familiarity with PC software and applications.
- Ability to utilize the LAN and the Internet for research.
- Experience with mainframe systems for file uploads and extractions.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be able to perform all duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
Application Instructions
- Take the required examination: Personnel Specialist Examination.
- Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date: 11/2/2026.
- Submit complete Application Packages (including State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 or Electronic State Employment Application) through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.
- For hard copy submissions, include a completed copy of the Application Package listing.
- Mailing Address:
State Controller's Office
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources Office, J.W.
300 Capitol Mall
3rd Floor, Ste 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
- Drop-Off Address:
State Controller's Office
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources Office, J.W.
300 Capitol Mall
3rd Floor, Ste 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
Applications dropped off in person must be received by 5 p.m. in HR by the final filing date.
Required Application Package Documents
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically) or the Electronic State Employment Application.
- Include all Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications to demonstrate how you meet them.
- Resume is optional.
Who May Apply
- Individuals currently in the classification.
- Eligible for lateral transfer.
- Eligible for reinstatement.
- Possess list or LEAP eligibility.
- In the process of obtaining list eligibility.
- Have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (attach your letter, if available).
SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority.
Additional Information
- Work Location: Sacramento County
- Telework: Hybrid
- Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
- Facility: Personnel/Payroll Services Division
- Department: California State Controller's Office (SCO)
- Classification: PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
- Salary Ranges:
- A: $4,030.00 - $5,044.00
- B: $4,632.00 - $5,807.00
- C: $4,799.00 - $6,008.00
- D: $5,184.00 - $6,488.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.