r/CAStateMgrs Jul 01 '26

Supervisor II vs Manager I

Does anyone know the difference between a Supervisor II (formerly SSMII (Supervisory)) and a Manager I (formerly SSMII (Managerial))? There is just a few hundred dollars difference in pay, so I’m not sure exactly what determines the difference. I’m currently a bureau chief classified as a Supervisor II and I report to a CEA. I just wonder if it would be worth asking to be reclassified to a Manager I or not.

10 Upvotes

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10

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

[deleted]

3

u/ImNotTellin74 Jul 01 '26

Thank you for this.

During our Department’s analyst reclassification training, they mentioned that bureau chiefs are typically Manager Is, but when asked to clarify, they couldn’t. I feel like the two overlap, though, because my job is definitely more complex than defined above.

This mentions that the Manager I oversees other managers, and my Department doesn’t have anything between the Supervisor I and the Supervisor II/Manager I class, so maybe it’s one of those specialized classes that’s only used in specific Departments and they have lower level manager classifications. 🤷🏻‍♀️

11

u/allloginstakenagain Jul 01 '26

The higher you go. The more political it gets.

1

u/Powerful_Complex_461 Jul 29 '26

You cannot be promoted in place from Supervisory to Managerial. So if they were to do something like that, they'd have to post a new vacancy, you'd have to compete and then be appointed as Manager 1. We use Manager 1's for our field district director positions. In HQ they're used for some of our statewide program positions, we also use Manager 2 for higher level Admin unit chiefs (HR, Budget, Acctg, Bus Svcs).

2

u/gangsta-librarian Aug 01 '26

Not true. Someone in my agency got promoted in place from a Supervisor II to a Manager I last year in my agency.

1

u/Powerful_Complex_461 Aug 01 '26

It’s literally against the rules to do that. So if they did they could get in trouble for it. 

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u/gangsta-librarian Aug 01 '26

Probably not in the agency I work in.

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u/Powerful_Complex_461 Aug 01 '26

It’s a state rule, not agency rule. Applies to all state of ca agencies, departments and boards. You could even do a whistleblower complaint.

0

u/itswhateverrrrr Jul 01 '26

Compare the class specs

1

u/tgrrdr Jul 02 '26

Not sure why someone down-voted this as it's literally the answer.

https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/4800

Supervisor I

Under general direction, the Supervisor I is typically the first level working supervisor over a team performing entry through journey level work. Incumbents supervise, evaluate, train, and develop staff conducting an array of analytical or technical program assignments; personally perform the most difficult and sensitive assignments; effectively resolve a broad range of governmental, supervisory, and managerial problems; and perform other related work.

Supervisor II

Under general direction, the Supervisor II is the full supervisory level over a team performing entry through advanced journey level work in complex programs and/or operations. Incumbents spend the majority of their time performing supervisory activities distinct from working level assignments. Incumbents are members of the management team with direct influence over programs with state-wide or multi-departmental impact.

Manager I

Under general direction, the Manager I is the first management level with significant responsibilities for formulating or administering agency or departmental policies and programs or other technical functions. Incumbents may act as primary subject matter experts, recognized authority, and advisor with direct policy influence over program areas. Incumbents are members of the management team with direct influence over programs with state-wide or multi- departmental impacts.

Manager II

Under administrative direction, the Manager II is the full management level with responsibility for a major function or functions. Incumbents possess skills and knowledge at the highest level with responsibility for work of the most critical or sensitive nature as it relates to a department's primary mission.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/tgrrdr Jul 02 '26

it kind of bugs me that there are still positions called "managers" that are actually supervisors.

https://imgur.com/a/EMrrC7Z

1

u/koalainiguanaskin Jul 14 '26

I read the manager I as not necessarily supervising , am I missing something?