The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) is the Governor's chief personnel policy advisor. DPA represents the Governor as the "employer" in all matters concerning state employer-employee relations. DPA is responsible for all issues related to salaries, benefits, and position classification. For rank and file employees, these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process and for excluded employees, through a meet and confer process. DPA's main objectives are as follows:

• Represent the Governor in collective bargaining with unions representing rank and file state employees.
• Set salaries and benefits for employees excluded from collective bargaining and employees exempted from civil service.
• Manage salaries, benefits, position classification, training and all other aspects of state employment other than those areas assigned to the State Personnel Board under the civil service provisions of Article VII of the California Constitution.
• Serve as the sole fiduciary and administrative body for the Savings Plus Program (defined contribution program for full-time and part-time state employees).
• Provide legal representation to state agencies in labor relations and appeals of disciplinary actions.
• Hold ex-officio membership to the 13-member Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System.