C. E. A.

Job Posting: Chief Auditor

CA High Speed Rail Authority

JC-535925

• Chief Auditor

C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 10/30/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

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Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors (Board) and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Auditor serves as a member of the executive team and is responsible for overseeing, planning and directing a variety of technical audits, reviews, and evaluations of the management controls of the Authority. The audits, reviews, and evaluations directed by the Chief Auditor assist the Board and the Chief Executive Officer in ensuring that policies, procedures, programs and practices of the Authority comply with laws, regulations and appropriate management practices. All work is to be accomplished in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations by using a systematic and disciplined approach, as well as the Global Internal Audit Standards or the Government Auditing Standards.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position works primarily in the office, but limited telework may be available for California residents.

While working on-site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled area which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. The incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and keyboard, and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, manage multiple tasks, adapt to changes in priorities, and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employee must develop and maintain cooperative working relationships and display professionalism and respect for others in all contact opportunities.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

• C. E. A.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-535925

Position #(s):

311-150-7500-010

Working Title:

Chief Auditor

Classification:

C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals.

For additional information please visit https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

Please note, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has the delegated authority to negotiate salaries for this Career Executive Appointment within this range.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history? The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging and rewarding job opportunity.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCM6SCC

Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply for this position. You must provide narrative responses and specific examples for each item listed below in your SOQ to be considered for this position. Your SOQ must be typed in 12-point font, no longer than 3 pages, organized by including the question below and numbered as reflected below, and then provide a response to these 6 items:

• Describe your experience leading a comprehensive audit function, managing multi-disciplinary audit teams, ensuring deadlines are met, and allocating resources under constraints.
• Describe your experience effectively engaging internal and external stakeholders while representing leadership through public speaking, briefings, and collaborative efforts that inform and advance audit findings. Please provide an example(s) of your experience.
• Explain how you maintain auditor objectivity, integrity, and independence while effectively communicating sensitive, high-risk findings to executive leadership, boards, or audit committees.
• Describe your experience preparing for and navigating a grant and/or contract audit.
• Describe your experience identifying a control weakness that stemmed from poor design or implementation. How did you address it in alignment with Green Book standards?
• The Authority's Audit Office is comprised of a small, diverse team of professional audits responsible for completing audits that are frequently sensitive in nature. Describe the methods you use to organize audit teams and motivate your team so they remain engaged with the work.

Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.

For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/30/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

CA High Speed Rail Authority

High Speed Rail Authority

Attn: Human Resources

770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4

Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

CA High Speed Rail Authority

High Speed Rail Authority

ATTN: Human Resources

770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4

Sacramento, CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above "Special Requirements" section for SOQ instructions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

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:

• 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.
• 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 Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Ability to work effectively with top level management of State agencies and other external organizations;
• Ability to effectively communicate to groups and individuals on technical issues; plan, analyze, and translate technical results into oral or written format understandable for non-auditors;
• Working knowledge of Global Internal Auditing Standards (Red Book), Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) and other appropriate standards used in performing financial and performance reviews of government programs;
• Experience implementing continuous improvement practices;
• Knowledge of and experience with process development techniques;
• Experience organizing and motivating employees in a team environment;
• Ability to assimilate and evaluate technical and procedural input from various sources; understand fundamental statistical and sampling methods;
• Experience with developing alternative courses of action and making objective recommendations;
• Knowledge of internal control and risk concepts, including the Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government;
• Knowledge of current initiatives within the California State Government;
• Knowledge of the organization and practices of control agencies, including the legislative and budgeting processes;
• Knowledge of contracting laws, regulations, and practices;
• Knowledge of Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Part 200, Title 48, Part 31, and Title 49, Part 18;
• Proficiency with the following information technology tools: Microsoft (MS) Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and MS Outlook.
• Ability to qualify for a fidelity bond and willingness to travel and work away from the Sacramento office.

Examination Information

The examination will consist of a review of each applicant's application and Statement of Qualifications. A rating panel will rate the applications and Statement of Qualifications based on the identified desirable qualifications for the position and the competitive nature of each candidate's relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Therefore, it is critical that each applicant include specific information on how their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities meet the desirable qualifications for the position.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department 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.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/

Human Resources Contact:

Human Resources

(916) 669-6606

recruitment@hsr.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

EEO Office

(916) 324-1541

eeo@hsr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Application Information

The STD. 678 is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-535925. Chief Auditor, and 311-150-7500-010 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position.

Location

The High-Speed Rail Authority headquarters building is located in downtown Sacramento on the corner of 8th and L Street. We are located one block away from the 8th and Capitol light rail stop, as well as the 7th and Capitol light rail stop. The building is also within walking distance of DOCO, the California State Capitol Park, a farmer's market during summer months, and Old Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.