Effective July 1, 2013, the Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 2012 creates the Government Operations Agency and, as part of the plan, moves the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) (previously budgeted within General Government under Organization Code 8380) to this new Agency (Government Operations).

The years prior to July 1, 2012 represent the former Department of Personnel Administration program structure.

CalHR is responsible for managing the state's personnel functions and represents the Governor as the "employer" in all matters concerning state employer-employee relations. CalHR is responsible for issues related to recruitment, selection, salaries, benefits, and position classification, as well as provides a variety of training and consultation services to state departments and local agencies. CalHR's main objectives are to:

• Manage examinations, salaries, benefits, position classification, training and all other aspects of state employment other than those areas assigned to the State Personnel Board (SPB) under the civil service provisions of Article VII of the California Constitution.
• 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.
• 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 for appeals of disciplinary actions and labor relations matters.
• Hold ex-officio membership to the 13-member Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System.