Job Description

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Are you a dynamic leader passionate about creating a healthy, high-performing workplace? Do you thrive on solving complex personnel challenges and shaping innovative HR policies that truly make a difference? If so, we want YOU to lead our Employee Management Section — where your expertise will directly impact employee wellness, performance, and safety across our Department.

As the driving force behind our Health Management, Performance Management, and Workers’ Compensation teams, you’ll steer critical programs that support our employees’ success and well-being. This is your chance to influence policy, collaborate with state agencies, and champion solutions that elevate our entire workforce.

Under the general direction of the Assistant Chief, Human Resource Services Division (HRSD), the Employee Management Section Manager provides leadership and strategic direction for the administration of the Department’s Employee Management Section. This section encompasses three critical groups:

• Health Services Group: Responsible for reasonable accommodations, medical leave of absence, transfer of leave credits, and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance.
• Performance Management Group: Oversees progressive discipline, performance management, attendance management, and administrative investigations to support departmental managers and ensure consistent, fair employee relations.
• Workers’ Compensation Unit: Manages claim processing, return-to-work coordination, ergonomics program, employee wellness, safety, and Injury Illness & Prevention Plan (IIPP).

The incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating, directing, and evaluating policy development, project management, and personnel management services across these groups. They represent the Department and HRSD Chief in external collaborations with control agencies, statewide task forces, and various state boards, seeking innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the Employee Management Section and the HRSD as a whole.

This is an exciting leadership position where you can make a difference in both employee well-being and public service.

To view the full duties and responsibilities, please see the ”Duty Statement” linked under Additional Documentation to the right of this screen.

Position exists at 751 N St. Sacramento, CA 95814

We are located at the corner of 8th and Capitol Mall, right in the heart of downtown, next to light rail stations and other public transportation. In approximately December 2025, we will be moving to the 4th floor of the fully renovated high rise Labor Agency Building at 1416 9th Street between N and O streets.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

We are currently on a hybrid telework schedule of in office 2 days per week. This is subject to change based on operational need and/or future return to office orders.

Special Requirements

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application.  Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.
• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.  This page is for examination use only.
• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment 

To apply for this position, you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam:

For more information about the State hiring process,  click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job,  click here .

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 and experience with reasonable accommodation, leave of absence, family and medical leave act/California family rights act, workers' compensation and the State's progressive discipline process.
• Experience managing and directing the work of supervisors and staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with executives, peers, staff,  customers, control agencies and stakeholders.
• Ability to research, understand, interpret, and apply state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making critical decisions.
• Ability to coach and mentor staff and provide a positive working environment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website,  , and the CalPERS website,  .

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED.  The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is not a resume or a cover letter.

The SOQ should include your education, training, experience and skills that qualify you for the position. The SOQ should be typed, no more than two pages in length, no less than 12 point font, and must be numbered and include a response to each statement below, including specific examples:

1. Provide your experience in managing human resources staff and functions including the state's progressive discipline, reasonable accommodation, leave of absence, workers' compensation and safety programs.
2. Provide your experience collaborating with executives, peers, staff, and stakeholders in making critical human resources decisions. Explain the impact of the decision and your role in the collaboration.
3. Describe a time when you led the implementation of a new program, policy, or procedure within a complex organizational environment. Please explain your approach to planning, coordinating stakeholders, overcoming resistance, and ensuring successful adoption.

 Your SOQ will be considered the first phase of the hiring process for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you may be invited to an interview.

Resumes and/or Cover Letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without a SOQ or SOQs that do not include a response to the statements above will not receive further consideration and will be excluded from the hiring process.

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required.
  Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Remote work, 2 days per week,

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