Congratulations on your interest in applying for an appointment within the new administration. We hope the following information will be helpful.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at cwap@cawomenlead.org.
What is the time commitment for an appointed position?
It depends on the appointment you are seeking. Some appointments are full time jobs, others meet once a month, and some meet once a quarter.
Boards and Commissions may hold all-day meetings, but some meetings may be by conference call and require less travel. As you proceed through
the process, there will be a number of opportunities for you to ask what the time commitment will be, and we encourage you to ASK!! Keep in
mind that not only will you have meetings to attend, but there are usually reports or supporting materials you will have to read prior to the
meeting. Ask how much time the staff anticipates that will take.
Will I get paid?
Depends. Some boards and commissions are paid very well (those are the harder ones to get!), others are full time (actually more than full time)
and are paid as such. Many boards and commissions are paid a per diem (around $100 per day) and others are not paid at all. Most of your travel
costs (if necessary) are covered.
What types of background checks are conducted?
Typically the governor's office will do a background check, Google search and credit check. When you fill out the application on the governor's
website (remember, you will still have to do that in addition to filling out the CWSAP application) you will be asked to sign and fax
a release form. That form states:
"I understand that in connection with this application for appointment an extensive investigation of my personal and business background will be conducted. I hereby authorize the release of any and all information pertaining to myself, businesses or educational institutions in which I participated, including information of a confidential or privileged nature in the possession of government or private agencies or individuals. I hereby release all such agencies or individuals who furnish such information from liability for damages, which may result from furnishing the information requested. I am also aware that a consumer credit report may be requested and used in connection with this application for appointment. The source of the report will be a major national credit reporting agency, such as EXPERIAN, TRANSUNION, or EQUIFAX. In the event such a request is made, a copy of the report will be provided to me"
Will I be required to relocate or to travel?
It depends. If you are looking for a top level position as an Agency Secretary or Under Secretary, you will be required to work in Sacramento.
If you are looking for a paid position within the administration, you will also work in Sacramento (there are a limited number of positions
that are paid appointments that are not in Sacramento). Some paid boards and commissions only require you to come to Sacramento for meetings.
Most of the volunteer boards and commissions meet around the state, so travel is required, but you can live in any area in the state.
What disclosures will I have to make?
You will have to fill out a Form 700 through the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). You can visit http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.php?id=500 where you can get additional information on what filling out the form requires.
Is there any training I will have to do?
All appointees must complete Ethics Training which typically is a two hour training that is done online. In some cases you may be required
to also attend sexual harassment training which is also conducted online.
Do I have to be the same political party as the governor?
No, most Governors strive to have boards and commissions be reflective of the diversity of the state.
What is the process? How long does it take?
Applying for an appointment at the State level can be a long process. There is not a set time as to when you will get appointed and in some
cases, you may never get appointed. Typically it can take up to six months to get any feedback from the governor's appointment staff. Once
you fill out the application, it will be assigned by issue area to a staff person who will review your qualifications. Once they decide you
may be a good fit for a board or commission, they will begin the background check process. If that goes smoothly they will contact you for
an interview. The next step is to be interviewed by the agency and department in which you will serve. If all goes well your packet will be
presented to the governor and he or she will make the final decision.
How long is my term?
Some appointments serve at the pleasure of the governor, which means your appointment can end at anytime. Some appointments must be confirmed
by the State Senate. In that case an appointee can serve for 365 days before they are confirmed. If they are not confirmed before then, their
service ends. If confirmed, they may be appointed to a specified time - four years, for example, or they may serve at the pleasure of the governor.
Appointees may also be reappointed by the Governor after their first term is completed.
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Letters Of Recommendation For State Appointments
Following submission of the Governor's Online Appointment Application, it is recommended that the applicant secure letters of recommendation
in support of her appointment application. In this early stage, three to four letters are appropriate. Each letter of recommendation should
be no longer than two pages in length.
Typically, letters of recommendation have three sections. The first section is usually for the person writing the recommendation to
explain who they are, and in what capacity they are writing the letter. In addition, the first section of the letter introduces who is being
recommended and how long the recommender has known that person. (e. g. I am writing in support of [your name's] application for appointment.
I have had the pleasure of knowing [your name] for [amount of time]… )
The second section, usually the largest, is typically used for explaining the qualities of the person being recommended and to highlight her
accomplishments that more specifically relate to the appointment being sought. Specific examples are helpful. It is also important for the
person making the recommendation to describe his or her experience with the person receiving the recommendation.
The third section is typically used to summarize the qualities of the person receiving the recommendation and to reinforce her positive attributes.
This is where the actual recommendation usually occurs. (e. g. I enthusiastically recommend…, I am pleased to recommend…, etc.)
Whom to ask for references? You need responsive people who attest to the qualifications that would make you a good appointee. It is
also important to have a good idea of what they are going to say about you and your qualifications. Letters could be from the applicant's senator
or assembly member, a local elected leader, a professional colleague, a nonprofit board member with which you serve, and possibly a more personal
reference such as a professor, clergyman, or community leader.
Good letters of recommendations show strengths, are detailed, insightful and professional. They should provide important insight into an individual's
character, integrity, and motivation for applying to serve. They should also address the individual's ability to be impartial and their appreciation
for California's future.
How do you submit your letters? Once you have filled out the Governor's on-line application (the CA Women's State Appointments Project will
let you know when it is available) you can send in your letters as well. Address them:
Governor Jane Smith
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Appointments Secretary
Examples of Experience for High Level Appointments
For most high- level appointments, individuals will have significant experience in business or government that provides them with management
skills. They often will also have professional education directly related to the work of the position. (Lawyer, doctor, scientist, etc.) They
are usually widely recognized by other professionals as highly qualified candidates.
Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency
- Partner in a law firm representing both public and privately held companies in regulatory and transactional matters
- Commission of CA Department of Corporations
- Previous experience with the BT&H Agency
- Member of California Science Center Board of Directors
- Member of the Occupational and Health Standards Board
- Undersecretary for Labor and Workforce Development Agency
- Corporate Vice President of Human Resources for organization with 50,000 employees
- MPA in Public Administration
- Special Projects Coordinator for Families First
- Contract Manager for County Department of Social Services
- Research Program Specialist for CA Department of Social Services
- Assistant Program Budget Manager, CA Department of Finance
- Director of CA Department of Consumer Affairs for three years
- Consulting with a management review firm
- Vice-President for CA State Automobile Association
- Director of Governor’s Office of Insurance Advisor
- Corporate Finance Officer and Operations Manager for Bank of America
- Financial analyst for mergers and acquisitions
- Legislative aide to member of Congress
- MBA
Examples of Experience for Other Paid Appointed Positions
For individuals in other paid appointed positions, specific education or training may be an important consideration. However, many of these positions may require an understanding of government gained through working with state or local agencies. Appointments may be made by the Governor or by an Agency Secretary, if the Governor so designates.
Member, Integrated Waste Management Board
- Director of Scheduling for the office of two Governors
- Founder and president of a corporation
- President of large service organization
- Officer in the Air Force Nursing Corps during Vietnam era
- Clinical Service Director with Health Education Council
- Regional Director of Field Case Management for Broadspire
- Program Administrator, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Bureau at Department of Consumer Affairs
- Legal extern for the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice
- Summer associate for law firms
- Account Supervisor for a public relations firm
- Senior Associate with law firm
- Legislative Consultant in Assembly
- Legislative Director for a State Senator
- Consultant for 9 years for a State Senator
- Reporter for agency newspaper and local newspaper
Examples of Experience for Public Members on Boards and Commissions
While boards and commissions are established for very specific purposes (Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Council on Development Disabilities) and may specify that the membership include individuals with specific expertise, most boards and commissions also require that a one or two positions be public positions – open to consumers including those who may use the organization is addressing. These positions are paid only a per diem ($50 to $100 a meeting day), but they offer an excellent opportunity for citizens of California to be involved in decision-making at the state level. As you will see, the experience of members may not seem to relate directly to the work of the board or commission, but the contributions of public members are equally important.
Member of County Fair Board of Directors
- Cardiovascular Technologist for local hospital
- Owner of small business
- Member of organization providing services to families with illnesses
- Member of Social Services organization
- Appointee to an area board on developmental disabilities
- Mother of a child with a developmental disability
- Director of Local Government Affairs for a housing company
- Minority staff director and principal consultant on fiscal issues in the State Assembly
- Policy and fiscal analyst for the Office of Legislative Analyst for several years
- President of a college foundation board
- Former senior advisor on Asian Affairs for a member of Congress
- Chief executive officer of a menu planning website
- Formerly VP of operations, general manager and executive chef at a winery resort
- Corporate executive chef for a restaurant group
- Education operations manager of culinary training organization
- Realtor
- Fundraiser and event coordinator
- Manager and senior sales consultant for interior design
- Salon coordinator
- Assistant Professor in art education
- Director of community art service program
- Served as teacher in K-12
- Longtime owner of communications company
- Special education teacher
- Former mayor
- Vice President and CEO of a commercial and residential development firm
- Realtor
- Member of industrial manufacturers’ council
- President of financial services corporation
- Owner of an imaging system company
- Product manager for medical instrument company
- Member of a city council
- Member of a trails foundation
- Program budget manager for the California Department of Finance
- Education budget consultant and staff finance budget analyst for California State Assembly
- Associate finance budget analyst for the Department of Finance
- President of community hospital board
- Owner of a natural beef production and sales company
- Served as Director of Natural Resources and Commodities the California Farm Bureau Association
- Member of California Cattlemen's Association
- Member, county board of supervisors
- Former teacher and principal at a continuation high school
- Served as Vice President and Political Deputy of an entrepreneurial corporate group
- Director of crime victim’s assistance program for county district attorney
- Served as court appointed child advocate for county superior court
- Member of National Organization for Victim Assistance and other organizations serving victims
- Former city council member
- Member of hospital medical foundation
- Owner of property management group
- Industrial engineer for a large corporation
- Served as research technician in a hospital
- Parent of an adult child with cerebral palsy
- Works as private special education advocate
- Volunteers as a parent trainer and mentor for a non-profit agency that provides case management for persons with disabilities
- Director of office development for a dental services company
- Trained and worked as a registered dental assistant for many years
- Member of the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries
- Honor student in senior year of high school
- Worked as U. S. Senate page
- Interned in district office of a California member of the House of Representatives
- Vice President of CA Association of Student Councils for one year
- Various positions in banking including loan officer, banking development officer, branch manager, collection manager, and title researcher
- Internal auditor for a gaming casino
- President of county chapter of CA Women for Agriculture
- Member of Association of Water Agencies of the county
- President and CEO of an insurance agency for many years
- Held other positions in finance and banking industries
- Serves on Board of a commercial bank
- Former member of the CA State Bar Examining Committee
- Practicing Chiropractor
- Formerly a correctional officer at a California State facility
- Owner of marketing and public relations firm
- Formerly served as a contractor to the Environmental Services Center
- Served on city council for several years
- Principal owner and president of firm providing landscape architecture, planning and design
- Member of American Society of Landscape Architects
- Member of Green Building Certification Institute.
- A current clergyman, he has served as a pastor for many years
- Member of city council
- Owns a property company and an event planning company
- Formerly Mental Health Administrator for county Behavioral Health Services
- Chair of City Redevelopment Board
- Member of Kiwanis
- Director of government affairs for a city
- Served as account executive for a company
- Former district field representative for a state Senator
- Served as Social Service Director and Case Manager for a care center
- Member of American Association of Port Authorities
Questions? Email cwap@cawomenlead.org and we will try and answer questions you may have and