Personnel Technician, Department of Personnel Administration Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 5, 2001

Scope

This series specification describes four classifications which perform technical personnel management work in one or more of the major personnel management programs within the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA): classification, compensation, training, labor relations, benefits, savings plus, and merit award.

Definition of Series

Under close to general supervision, incumbents learn and/or perform work involving completion and/or review of the processing of technical documents or the giving of technical information regarding a personnel program to departmental clientele, State employees, or the general public. The duties of these classes require a detailed knowledge of and ability to interpret, apply, and communicate specific laws, rules, and policies relating to a personnel program or programs.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically through the Office Assistant (Range B) classification.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Variety and complexity of work, independence of action and decision, supervision received, supervisory responsibilities, level, and amount of direct personal contact with clientele are the major differentiating factors between individual classes. Additional considerations which enter into determinations of borderline allocations include technological knowledge needed for delivery of services, preparation of various management reports, assignment to programs that require adequate staffing to ensure coverage of essential functions, high turnover, high overtime, number of classes used, number of customers served, the degree of independence and judgment required in resolving personnel problems, and the consequence of error.

Definition of Levels*

Personnel Program Technician I

This is the entry and first working level in the series. Incumbents at this level are learning the various technical aspects of the particular personnel program(s), work under direct supervision, and perform increasingly difficult duties of a technical and semiprofessional nature with increasing independence of action.

Personnel Program Technician II

This is the full technician level in the series. Incumbents at this level independently perform complex subsidiary, technical work in one or more personnel program areas within DPA and may act in a lead capacity to other clerical and technical staff.

Personnel Program Technician III

This is the senior technician level in the series. Incumbents at this level perform the most complex aspects of a technical personnel management program or programs with the highest degree of initiative and independence of action.

Supervising Personnel Program Technician

This is the supervising technician level in the series. Incumbents at this level supervise a staff of 5-10 that includes a mix of technical clerical and Personnel Program Technician level positions, and act as the subject-matter technical experts for staff assigned to a personnel management function(s).

Minimum Qualifications

Personnel Program Technician I

Either I

One year of experience in a governmental or private agency performing duties which require familiarity with and explanation of procedures, policies, and/or regulations. (In the California state service, this experience must have been at least at the level of Office Assistant, Range B.)

Or II

Sixty semester or 90 quarter units of college.

Personnel Program Technician II

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Personnel Program Technician

I.

Or II

Two years of experience in a governmental or private agency performing duties which require familiarity with and explanation of procedures, policies, and/or regulations. (In the California state service, at least one year of this experience must have been at the level of a Personnel Program Technician I.)

Personnel Program Technician III

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Personnel Program Technician

Ii.

Or II

Two years of experience performing the duties of a Personnel Program Technician

I.

Or III

Three years of experience in a governmental or private agency performing duties which require familiarity with and explanation of procedures, policies, and/or regulations. (In the California state service, at least two years of this experience must have been at the level of a Personnel Program Technician I.)

Supervising Personnel Program Technician

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Personnel Program Technician II, which includes acting as a lead over lower-level technical staff.

Or II

Three years of experience in a governmental or private agency performing duties which require familiarity with and explanation of procedures, policies, and/or regulations. (In the California state service, at least one year of this experience must have been at the level of a Personnel Program Technician II.)

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Effective verbal and written communication techniques; interpersonal relationships; problem-solving techniques; computer technology; English grammar and composition; consulting and negotiating techniques.

Ability to: Express ideas and facts to individuals or groups effectively; make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others; write correspondence and reports clearly and concisely; maintain records; demonstrate courtesy, tact, and empathy; effectively evaluate situations and problems; gather and evaluate pertinent information; identify and evaluate alternatives and take an effective course of action; use knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; work and communicate with clients and customers to provide information and satisfy their expectations; work with others toward an agreement; negotiate to find mutually acceptable solutions; use computers and various computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format, work more efficiently, and improve work processes and products.

Personnel Program Technician II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures in an assigned program area; recurring personnel program issues.

Ability to: All of the above, and effectively and accurately interpret and apply laws, rules, policies, and procedures to issues and act with increasing independence in completing assigned tasks.

Personnel Program Techinician III

Knowledge of: All of the above, and training processes, resources, and techniques.

Ability to: All of the above, and provide expert interpretation(s) of laws, rules, policies, and procedures of an assigned program area to staff and other clientele; act as consultant or subject-matter expert; provide training in areas of expertise.

Supervsing Personnel Program Technician

Knowledge of: All of the above, and supervisory techniques and practices; personnel policies, practices, and procedures; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and coordinate and supervise the work of a group of lower-level technical staff performing work in a personnel management function; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Class History

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* Additional information regarding functions performed, complexity factors, and scope of responsibility is contained in a separate document titled "Allocation Guidelines.�