Editor (Staff Services Manager I (Specialist))
Editor (Staff Services Manager I (Specialist))
Sacramento, CA
Final Filing Date: November 20, 2025
Who are we?
We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.
At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve such a mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.
Why should you join us?
- You want to work in a professional environment with a team dedicated to making a difference for Californians and future generations.
- You want to use your editing expertise to help create publications that make an impact and ultimately improve government.
- You are highly collaborative, solution-oriented, and a strong communicator.
- You have a strong work ethic and thrive when working under pressure.
- You desire a monthly salary range of $7,172- $8,910 with a 5% pay differential as well as a longevity bonus.1
What will you do?
The Editor (SSM I (Specialist)) provides expert-level edits for a variety of audit and investigative reports, consults with auditors and investigators to help them prepare and revise reports, helps coordinate requests for editorial services, and coaches writers to improve their skills.
Specifically, you will:
- Perform developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading of detailed and often lengthy and technical audit and investigative reports and other office publications using a computer-based editing process.
- Consult with and assist auditors, investigators, and other staff in preparing and revising reports and publications.
- Critically read reports and publications to ensure that all content is accurate, logical, clear, grammatical, and consistent with office style.
- Edit letters, brochures, website content, and other documents as needed.
- Act as the primary writing coach by evaluating the participant’s writing samples, discussions and exercises, including determining areas that need improvement and developing exercises and practice opportunities that will bolster the writer’s ability.
- Assist in scheduling editing workflow and program management.
- Answer questions from staff regarding writing, editing, and proofreading and help writers throughout the office improve their skills, and assist teams with the development and refinement of various elements of report drafts.
Who are you?
- You have 5-10 years’ experience editing highly complex business publications.
- You have an excellent understanding of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and the AP Style Manual.
- You have the ability to spot flaws in organization or reasoning of written work products.
- You have strong analytical and communication skills with demonstrated experience synthesizing information and communicating in a clear and concise manner to a variety of audiences.
- You have experience teaching writing skills.
- You have the ability to develop strong working relationships, interact with all levels of staff and stakeholders, and exercise diplomacy and tact.
- You understand the importance of meeting timelines and are committed to getting the job done even when it requires occasionally working long or irregular hours.
How do I join?
The California State Auditor is part of the merit-based California civil service selection system. To complete this process, you must do the following:
1
Take the Exam
If you are a current state employee with transfer eligibility, you can skip this step. If you are not a state employee, or your state classification is not eligible to transfer, you must take the exam to be considered for the position.
2
Submit an Application
Submit a completed State of California job application (STD. 678) and a copy of your resume.
3
Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)
Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the three questions below using specific examples of your education, training, and experience. Your SOQ will help us determine who to interview for the position. Please limit your response to two pages. We will not consider applications that do not include responses to the questions or exceed the page limit.
We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.
- Describe your experience reading, evaluating, and editing highly complex business publications.
- Describe your experience coaching writers about the need for changes in content, style, or organization to improve readability.
- Describe an instance when a client disagreed with your edits to their product. How did you reach a resolution and what was the outcome?
Apply Online
You can submit your complete application package via your CalCareer account.
Apply by Mail
California State Auditor
Human Resources Office
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200
Sacramento, California 95814
The Fine Print
Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position. Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available.
This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate work location must be in California and conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment. State Auditor’s Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining. 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 state workplace. 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. This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The California State Auditor’s Office is not an E-Verify employer.
- New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Temporary Salary Reduction: Due to significant budget shortfalls, beginning September 1, 2025, the office will participate in the Personal Leave Program (PLP) which reduces employee salaries in exchange for accrued leave hours. The salary reduction amounts and leave accruals are based on the amounts that represented and other excluded employees receive. ↩︎
