Reimbursement may be allowed for expenses of professional and technically trained applicants for state employment who are called for employment interviews.

(a) Written approval of the Department of Personnel Administration must be obtained before the applicant is called for the interview.

(b) The applicant must have been called for the interview regarding a position in a classification for which it has been certified that such expenditure is necessary in order to recruit qualified persons needed by the State. Certification must be made by the appointing power and the Department of Personnel Administration.

(c) Reimbursement of actual transportation expenses will be allowed in an amount not to exceed ground transportation to and from the nearest airport and one round trip air coach fare, plus applicable tax, between the place from which the applicant was called and the place where the interview is held. However, if an applicant is called from outside the boundaries of the United States, reimbursement shall apply only to that portion of the fare for travel within the United States.

(d) The Department of Personnel Administration may authorize the reimbursement of all or part of lodging and meal expenses in the place where the interview is held, when the appointing power has demonstrated the following:

(1) Reasonable efforts were made to coordinate applicant's transportation and interview schedule;

(2) Available transportation options were explored with regard to timeliness and convenience;

(3) Resulting interview and transportation arrangements reasonably required the applicant to incur the cost for which reimbursement is being claimed.

Reimbursement for these expenses shall be limited to the time period that is directly related to the candidate's scheduled interview. Reimbursement shall not be authorized for time spent at the interview location resulting from the candidate's decision to remain for personal reasons.

Meals and lodging expenses will be reimbursed at a rate not to exceed those noted in Section 599.619.

Note:  Authority cited: Sections 19815.4(d), 19816 and 19820, Government Code. Reference: Sections 11030 and 19842, Government Code.

Current as of 08/25/06