CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
CAREER EXECUTIVE ASSIGNMENT
EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENT

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.

DEPARTMENT: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES RELEASE DATE: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
POSITION TITLE: ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF, BENEFITS FINAL FILING DATE: Monday, July 13, 2015
CEA LEVEL: CEA A EXTENDED FINAL FILING DATE:
SALARY RANGE: $ 6,296.00 - $ 9,051.00 / Month BULLETIN ID: 06292015_2

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the Chief, Benefits Division, and with a high degree of independence, the incumbent functions as a member of the Executive Staff at the fourth organizational level, advising and assisting the Director, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Labor Relations, and Chief, Benefits Division, in the development and implementation of policies, regulations and programs designed to administer several of the state’s benefits programs including Health, Wellness, Healthier U, Affordable Care Act, Dental, Vision, FlexElect, Consolidated Benefits (CoBen), and COBRA.

The position is part of the executive team that is responsible for ensuring implementation of the CalHR Strategic Plan and is a key leader in efforts to streamline Civil Service Human Resource practices as outlined in the 2014-15 Governor’s Budget.

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

Provides high level policy advice to the Director, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Labor Relations, Chief of the Benefits Division, State Controller’s Office (SCO), and the Department of Finance (DOF) regarding employee Health, Wellness, Healthier U, Affordable Care Act, Dental, Vision, FlexElect, CoBen and COBRA benefits. May serve as the Director’s delegate on the CalPERS Board of Administration, with full authority to act and vote on behalf of the Director. Consults with the directorate, the Legislature, and the Governor’s Office on the most critical and sensitive benefit policy issues of immediate interest to the Legislature, the media, and the public. Significant issues requiring the highest level of sensitivity include civil service reform and its impact to the current benefit structure; state and federal regulatory compliance; escalating costs of providing health, dental, vision and other benefit programs; and how those costs will impact current and future state employees and retirees.

Provides day-to-day direction of operations of the assigned program staff, and ensures continuity of program operations and internal policy direction. Responsible for setting and achieving policy goals in accordance with CalHR’s strategic plan. Ensures that position recommendations on complex cost benefit analysis, program impact analysis, collective bargaining impacts and considerations are consistent with the Administration’s policies and guidelines. Advises the Director, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Labor Relations, and Chief of the Benefits Division of policy positions and justifications resulting from legislative analysis and research. Has full delegated authority to act on behalf of the Division Chief in her/his absence.

Oversees the formulation of benefit policy on state employee and retiree benefit issues, design, and contracting. Provides direction to staff on proposals and recommendations for program changes and enhancements in response to changing industry standards, legislative changes, and IRS rulings impacting these programs. Develops and oversees policy direction communication to departments regarding proper administration of state employee benefit enrollments.

Represents the Department and/or the Administration in meetings with union representatives; state labor relations officers; personnel officers; legislative committee consultants; control agencies including SCO, DOF, and CalPERS; benefit vendors; consultants/actuaries; and others concerning employee benefits. Ensures coordination of research and analysis related to the collective bargaining process; develops proposals supporting the administration of labor relations goals; provides program/technical advice at bargaining sessions.

Oversees the negotiation and administration of contracts with benefit program vendors; ensures the state receives the benefit of size and volume purchasing discounts when evaluating the cost/benefit effectiveness of contracts. In support of the Division’s legislative activities, incumbent develops program related legislation, ensures comprehensive bill analysis for legislation affecting benefit programs, and testifies as a program expert before legislative committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Either I
Must be a current State civil service employee with permanent civil service status, as defined in Government Code Section 18546.

Or II
Must be a current or former employee of the Legislature, who resigned or was released from service within the last 12 months, and with two or more consecutive years of service as defined in Government Code Section 18990.

Or III
Must be a current or former nonelected exempt employee of the Executive Branch of government who resigned or was released from service within the last 12 months, and with two or more consecutive years of service (excluding those positions for which the salaries are set by statute) as defined by Government Code Section 18992.

Or IV
Must be a person retired from the United States military, honorably discharged from active military duty with a service-connected disability, or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code Section 18991.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
(1) Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

(2) Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.
These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION(S)
• Knowledge of the CalHR and its responsibilities.

• In-depth knowledge of State civil service laws and rules related to benefits administration.

• Demonstrated successful organizational leadership, team management skills, and communication skills.

• Direct managerial/supervisory experience in the areas of policy development, policy consultation, and personnel management.

• Demonstrated experience in proactively developing and leading organizations in the implementation of EEO strategies to address and resolve administrative and organizational problems in a service-oriented environment.

• Demonstrated ability to direct professional research and qualitative/quantitative analysis projects.

• Demonstrated understanding of a manager’s role in contributing to and achieving an equal employment opportunity workplace.

• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and cooperative relationships with stakeholders including control agencies, the Legislature, departments, labor, and advocate organizations.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION
A minimum rating of 70% must be attained to obtain list eligibility. Hiring interviews may be conducted with the most qualified candidates. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results. The result of this examination will be used only to fill the position of ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF, BENEFITS, with the CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

The results of this examination will be used only to fill this position.

The examination process will consist of a standard State application (Form 678), résumé, and Statement of Qualifications evaluation. The Statement of Qualifications will be used to evaluate your education and experience as it relates to the minimum qualifications, knowledge, skill and abilities, and desirable qualifications. The Statement of Qualifications also serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present written information clearly and concisely as this too is a critical factor to successful job performance. Therefore, it is to your advantage to invest the time and effort to completely describe your knowledge, skills and abilities. Failure to demonstrate sound organizational structure, clarity, and correct mechanics, (spelling, grammar, and punctuation) may result in your Statement of Qualifications being disqualified.

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Interested applicants must submit:

Applications must be submitted by the final filing date to:

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, Personnel Office
1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 500, Sacramento, CA 95811-7258
Trisha Bauman | (916) 324-9408 | Trisha.Bauman@calhr.ca.gov

SPECIAL TESTING
If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, mark the appropriate box in Part 2 of the "Examination Application." You will be contacted to make specific arrangements.

GENERAL INFORMATION
If you meet the requirements stated in this bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described on this bulletin will be compared with the performance of others who take this test, and all candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

The CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

General Qualifications: Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

California Relay (Telephone) Service for the Deaf or Hearing Impaired: From TDD phones: (800) 735-2929, from voice phones: (800) 735-2922

Class specs:  CEA and Exempt Appointees