Staff Services Analyst - I

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill permanent or extra-help* and open or promotional vacancies in various County departments as they arise. 

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Staff Services Analyst I and Staff Services Analyst II. Each level has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications for each recruitment:

Staff Services Analyst - I                     #2023-14709-01

Staff Services Analyst - II                    #2023-14710-01

*Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

This classification is scheduled to receive general wage increases of 4% in July 2023 and 4% in July 2024.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree medical insurance
• Deferred compensation
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.

*Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please click here to view Professional benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform difficult and complex administrative studies related to the organization and operation of assigned County departments, divisions, or programs and to assist in the formulation and implementation of administrative policies, procedures and technical solutions; to support a broad range of functional management duties for programs with department or Countywide impact. 

This is the entry level class in the Staff Services Analyst series.  This class is distinguished from the journey by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff of assigned work unit/department and may receive technical and functional supervision from professional staff.  May exercise direct supervision over technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct and review analytical studies and surveys; formulate procedures, policies, and program alternatives; make recommendations on a broad spectrum of administrative and program-related topics.
• Develop and maintain cost analyses and program evaluations; perform a variety of special assignments; prepare complex analytical and statistical reports.
• Review and analyze proposed legislation and advise management on the impact or potential impact; assist with the coordination and development of related proposals, reports and other documentation.
• Assist in analysis of federal and state statutes and regulations; develop required responses and/or proposals for various state departments and various statewide associations applicable to assigned work unit or department.
• Develop or assist in the development of plans relative to new program implementation requirements.
• Assist with project management; maintain project resource repositories, lead requirements gathering for resolution of emerging issues, monitor project budgets and expenditures. 
• Draft, revise, and organize complex technical documents and communications. 
• Develop or assist in the development of statistical tracking systems and management reports for identification of trends, application of staff resources, application of funding or others as identified.
• Develop or assist in the development of administrative policies and procedures.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for administrative functions; implement policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain regulations, operating and/or technical procedure manuals.
• Design and recommend systems, procedures, forms and instructions for internal use.
• Develop or assist in the development of grant applications and grant reports.
• Participate in the administration, monitoring and evaluation of contracts; participate in negotiating contracts with outside vendors, consultants, or organizations; monitor fiscal and legal liabilities.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary; prepare correspondence as needed.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; supervise, assign and review the work of clerical and technical staff; conduct performance evaluations.
• Prepare correspondence and reports; respond to questionnaires and surveys; establish and maintain files and records as appropriate.
• May represent the department at meetings as required.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other county employees and the public, using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: No experience required.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, government, political or social science or a related field.

NOTE: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of local government administration, organization, programs and functions.
• Principles of management, organization and staffing.
• Principles and practices of fiscal control.
• Principles and techniques of administrative analysis, including workload measurement, work flow and layout, work simplification and systems and procedure analysis.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of project management, analysis, and coordination. 
• Principles and practices of program performance measures, system analysis, and statistical measurements.
• Statistical methods and analysis and the use of statistics in reports.
• Report preparation.
• Research techniques, including the use of surveys and questionnaires.
• Computer systems, software, applications, and other department specific technical solutions. 
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment/applications related to area of assignment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze work papers, reports, business process, systems and procedures, and special projects; analyze, interpret, and explain legislative and regulatory information; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; know laws, regulations, and codes; remember various rules and interpret policy; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time or in meetings; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift light weight.
• Analyze problems; learn to identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Learn to understand and interpret complex rules and procedures.
• Learn to develop and implement policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Learn the operations of multiple departments or divisions; assess needs and refer to appropriate technical solutions. 
• Analyze administrative and other management problems.
• Analyze budgets, grants, reports, and various proposals.
• Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Perform moderately complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Determine effective method of research; compile data and present in form most likely to enhance understanding.
• Prepare effective questionnaires and survey instruments.
• Design forms and procedures.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; handle multiple assignments; deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer and standard office equipment. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Online Examination (100%) - Tentatively scheduled for the week of April 24, 2023

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

Week of 4/10/23       Minimum Qualifications Screening

Week of 4/24/23       Online Examination

Week of 5/01/23       Establish Eligible List