Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you

Are you looking for a challenging and fast-paced environment with the opportunity for on-going learning and development? DPR's Transactions Unit is looking for energetic and customer service oriented professionals who are interested in joining a small team to administer pay and benefits for the department. Individuals with relevant experience are encouraged to apply, but please note that DPR is more than happy to train motivated individuals with an interest in learning the full range of pay and benefits duties.

Under the close supervision of the Personnel Supervisor I, the Personnel Specialist performs the daily personnel/payroll transactions duties. The Personnel Specialist is responsible for a full roster of employees. Duties include: processing appointments, separations, and miscellaneous changes to employment history using the Personnel Action Request (PAR) form; interpreting and applying state laws, rules, regulations, and Department directives, as well as, bargaining unit (BU) contract provisions as they relate to personnel and payroll transactions; providing excellent customer service as the first point of contact to ensure all payroll and benefit questions are answered; and meeting with new employees to provide information regarding eligibility to enroll in health, dental, and vision benefits.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

• Work in an administrative office building with secured area for confidential information and public reception area for employees and visitors.
• Ability to use a computer up to 8 hours a day.

NOTE: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position's designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-501055

Position #(s):
814-712-1303-001

Working Title:
Payroll and Benefits 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:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information Appointment to this position is pending administrative approval.

DPR is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and our vision is for pest management that is safe, effective, and sustainable for all Californians and our environment. Our core values include accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and integrity. We are innovative and passionate about the work we do.

DPR values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect human health and the environment by fostering sustainable pest management and regulating pesticides. Join DPR to improve the lives of all Californians.

This position is in the Human Resources Branch (HRB).

Department Website: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.

• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

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: 12/20/2025
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:

Department of Pesticide Regulation
Human Resources Branch
Attn: L. Texeira
1001 I Street, MS 4B

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Pesticide Regulation
Human Resources Branch
L. Texeira
1001 I Street, MS 4B

Sacramento , CA 95814

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Supplemental Application - A response to the supplemental question is required to be considered interested/eligible in the position. The supplemental question and instructions are listed in the "Supplemental Questionnaire" section of this advertisement. You must answer the supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the question in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.

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:

• Patience, empathy, emotional intelligence, integrity, and flexibility
• Willingness to learn and adapt on an ongoing basis
• Ability to provide high-quality customer service and maintain cooperative relationships
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and take initiative
• Strong work ethic, including attendance and dependability
• Attention to detail and ability to keep thorough and accurate documentation
• Critical thinking and creative problem solving skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in the face of competing assignments
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment using good tact and judgment
• Maintain confidentiality with sensitive personnel issues
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Knowledge or experience working with diverse cultural communities
• Awareness of diverse communities and regional demographics
• Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity

Critical Job Competencies

Communication (oral, written, organizational, non-verbal): Make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; facilitate open exchange of ideas/opinions; select and use appropriate communication approach; actively listen; effectively use e-mail; avoid mixed messages.

Patience: Retain stamina and bounce back from setbacks.

Emotional Intelligence/Interpersonal Awareness: Demonstrate recognition of and compassion to the various psychological and emotional needs of people.

Decisiveness: Accept accountability for decisions; perceive impact and implications of decisions.

Ethics/Integrity: Create culture of trusting relationships; tell it straight - - open and honest even about the bad news; admit mistakes - - not an admission of weakness but as having integrity and being trustworthy.

Leveraging/Valuing Diversity: Show sensitivity, respect, and value for behavior and values of diverse people.

Technical Credibility: Understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, policies, and regulations related to specialized expertise; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession and industry; access other expert resources when appropriate.

Problem Solving: There is more than one way to get to the destination; anticipate problems and encourage a culture of proactive problem solving.

Customer Service Orientation: Balance interests of a variety of clients, internal and external; readily adjust priorities in response to changing client needs; put in place systems and processes to ensure clients receive high-quality information, that their feedback is acted upon, and that their complaints are handled effectively; develop trust and credibility with clients.

Flexibility/Adaptability: Readily integrate changes midstream into work processes and outputs; demonstrate openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technology; shift gears comfortably.

Teamwork: Facilitate and maintain cooperative working relationships; work toward accomplishment of group goals; value and encourage the input and expertise of others; foster commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.

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 position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Lauren Texeira
(916) 322-9941
lauren.texeira@cdpr.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:
EEO Office
(916) 445-3979
alexis.carriker@cdpr.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 Questionnaire
You must answer the supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the question in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.

Instructions:
Your response to the question should be no more than one page in length, single spaced, in 12 pt. font. Indicate your name at the top of the page.

Question:
This position is technical and requires a lot of training and the ability to learn quickly and use the available resources. Please describe what steps you take to learn and retain information when you are being trained to do a new task/job. What steps do you take when you come across something you don't know?

Note : Resumes, letters, and other materials will not take the place of the supplemental questionnaire.

Additional Information
This is a deep class position with increasing responsibilities; candidate's experience/education will determine which range they will be placed in.

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.

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