Personnel Specialist - Lead

Job Description:

Personnel Specialist - Lead

Description

Under the direction of the Director of Classified Personnel, the Personnel Specialist - Lead; leads and performs highly complex, analytical, and technical professional work to administer a comprehensive and diversified Merit System personnel program services including recruitment/testing, and selection, employee relations, job analysis and position classification, training and development, research/analysis and a wide range of functions to support the classified services. The incumbent in this classification provides the school community with current personnel services and tools which directly support student learning and achievement.

The following alphabetical list of functions, duties and tasks is typical for this classification.

Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assists the Director in coordinating a variety of presentations and trainings for Classified Professional Learning Development.
• Assists the Director with the design and implementation of employee recruitment plans, testing, and selection programs; ensures all phases of recruitment and selection comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines; assists in developing recruitment methodologies, supplemental questionnaires, timelines and advertisement venues; creates position-specific testing materials, reviews with subject matter experts and hiring authorities and coordinates with contracted testing firms; recommends examination pass points; obtains and reviews test panelist and oral board participants; reviews and evaluates candidate testing results to ensure lack of adverse impact based on exam results; creates and certifies eligibility lists.
• Assists the Director in resolving disciplinary appeals and works with legal counsel in the scheduling of appeal timelines and processes.
  
  
• Assists the Director in managing the applicant tracking system, and testing platforms.
• Assists with the preparation of recommendations, backup material, and agenda items for monthly Personnel Commission meetings and for Commission approval as needed.
  
  
• Conducts a variety of special projects as directed by the director and the Personnel Commission.
• Conducts job analysis, reclassifications (in the event of disagreement, pursuant to Article XIV of the CSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement), and classification studies for new and existing classifications; writes, revises, and reviews class specifications; ensures up-to-date copies are posted on the Personnel Commission portion of the District website; performs comparability of duties analyses; prepares findings/recommendations and writes reports.
  
  
• Conducts salary surveys and wage studies; analyzes and reports on data/material utilized by management including market compensation; develops recommendations on classified salary structure and class placement within the range structure; provides District data as a participant in various external surveys.
  
  
• Coordinates recruitment fairs; assists with new employee orientation.
• Prepares required correspondence and documentation for the purpose of affecting layoffs of classified employees, advises employees of their rights, and ensures the Reemployment List and reinstatements take priority in filling vacancies in affected classifications.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, and attends Commission meetings, workshops, and/or trainings as required by the Director.
  
  
• Prepares required correspondence and documentation for the purpose of affecting layoffs of classified employees, advises employees of their rights, and ensures the Reemployment List and reinstatements take priority in filling vacancies in affected classifications.
• Provides professional advice to administrators, managers, employees, union leadership, and the public on human resources policies, procedures, interpretation, and application of Personnel Commission rules, California Education Code, and state/federal laws applicable to human resources management.
  
  
• Provides work direction to lower-level staff and monitors work for accuracy; provides instruction/training on Human Resource and Personnel Commission work processes to staff; provides input to the supervisor on employee work performance.
  
  
• Receives and reviews assigned applications for accuracy and completeness; screens applications for minimum qualifications; proctor competency and performance examinations as needed.
• Recommends, develops, implements, and revises Personnel Commission policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines to improve and/or clarify processes.
  
  
• Reviews initial salary step placement requests and recommends placement with the approval of the Director; reviews and analyzes working out-of-class requests for Confidential, Supervisory, and Classified Management employees as needed.
• Updates and maintains the classified seniority list.
• Works closely with hiring authorities to identify and select/place temporary employees in provisional or limited-term assignments; contacts candidates selected for temporary employment; establishes start dates with hiring managers and tracks temporary/provisional employees.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the District.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

(At time of application)

Knowledge of:

• Merit System Rules and procedures governing recruitment, testing, and selection and position classification
• District and Personnel Commission organization, operations, policies, objectives, and applicable legal requirements, collective bargaining agreement, including the Brown Act
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment including computers, applicable software programs, and online platforms
• Applicable sections of the California Education Code and federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions
• Processes and practices for maintaining employment test security and integrity
• Maintaining confidential records and files
• Social media platforms and their use for District and Personnel Commission outreach/communication
• Practices and techniques of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Research methods and data analysis techniques
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the assignments

Skills and Abilities to:

• Conduct the full range of recruitment, testing, and selection processes for classified positions
• Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound, independent conclusions, and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and policies
• Lead the work of others
• Perform responsible and complex Personnel Commission work in assigned areas of responsibility
• Represent the District and department effectively with other departments, applicants, and interview panels
• Provide support and service in a wide range of recruitment, testing, and other employment activities
• Compose clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, agreements, presentations, and other written materials from instructions
• Plan and organize, set priorities, and exercise sound, independent judgment within areas of responsibilities
• Meet schedules and timelines
• Establish priorities and work effectively and independently with many demands on time
• Track and report statistical information utilizing spreadsheets and databases
• Maintain confidentiality of Personnel Commission files and records
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Prepare and present periodic training sessions as directed
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Operate a computer and use standard business software
• Type accurately at a speed necessary to meet the requirements of the position
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work

RESPONSIBILITY:

Responsibilities include working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and /or advising others; and operating within a defined budget.

Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions.

There is a continual opportunity to affect the organization's services.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other related field from an accredited college or university; OR two years of college-level coursework in Human Resources or related field from an accredited college or university. Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science preferred, in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible work experience responsible professional human resource experience involving recruitment, selection, examination, position classification, and compensation which includes lead experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, work experience, and certifications that demonstrates possession of the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position may be substituted.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:

• Valid, current California Driver's License to drive to meetings, training sessions, and conferences away from the office such as at school sites.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• Pass the District's applicable proficiency exam for the job class with a satisfactory score
• After an offer of employment, obtain:
  • Criminal Justice and FBI Fingerprint Clearance
  • Negative TB test result plus periodic post-employment retest as required (currently every four years)
  • Pre-employment physical exam A through the District's provider

SALARY SCHEDULE:

Classified Salary Range: 40

Location: Madera Unified District Office

Work Calendar: 261 Days

Work hours: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Position start date: 07/01/2026

Examination Process:

*Materials Required:*

1. Completed application

2. Copy of official college transcript or copy of degree earned in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

3. Resume

4. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation (written specifically for the position and dated within the last 2 years)

*PC RULES 5.2.1.2 -5.2.1.2 - In-house employees will have first consideration for the position. If sufficient candidates are not available to fill all three ranks, the Personnel Commission will consider outside candidates.

The examination process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. No additional information will be accepted from applicants once the application has been submitted. Only the most qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review will be invited to the examination process.

The examination process will include a competency assessment (50% weight). Those achieving a passing score on the competency assessment will be invited to the qualification appraisal interview (50% weight). Those candidates achieving a passing overall score of 70% out of 100% on both assessments will be placed on the Eligibility List. The Eligibility List is valid for one (1) year from the date of certification. The top three (3) ranks will be forwarded to the Hiring Authority for final interview and selection. This Eligibility list will be used to fill future Personnel Specialist - Lead openings.

INITIAL TESTING TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS:

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT: Friday, February 27, 2026

QUALIFICATION APPRAISAL INTERVIEW: Friday, March 6, 2026

PASSING THE EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE ELIGIBILITY LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

To move forward in the selection process, you must complete an online application through this website. Resumes may be uploaded, but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION: ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE REVISIONS TO YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS.

When completing the application, please make sure you include ALLcurrent and previous employment in the Work Experience section and complete ALLfields, including your supervisors' names and contact information. The experience that is included in the resume but not in the Work Experience section of the application may not be considered for the purpose of determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

All required documents must be submitted by the applicant. Personnel Commission staff will not upload your documents for you. The examination process/examination date is subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be sent to the email address listed on your application.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Personnel Specialist Lead Mary Siegl at (559) 675-4500 Ext 295 or email [email protected]

ACCOMMODATIONS: Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must inform the Madera Unified School District Personnel Commission Department in writing no later than the filing date stated on the announcement. Those applicants needing such accommodations should document their request, including an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation needed to participate in the selection process.

The Governing Board desires to provide a positive work environment in which employees and job applicants are assured of equal access and opportunities, and are free from harassment in accordance with the law. The Board prohibits district employees from discriminating against or harassing any other district employees and job applicant on the basis of the person's actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation. The following person is designated as the Title IX Coordinator:

Prince Marshall

Executive Director of Student and Family Support Services

1820 Howard Road, Madera, CA 93637

559-416-5826

Closing Date/Time: Mon, 23 Feb 2026

Salary:

59759 - 78592 Yearly