INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

State of California; California; On-site; USD 96,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California is seeking a skilled Mainframe System Engineer - CICS to lead complex z/OS environments and support essential tax processing systems. This IT Specialist II role requires deep CICS/CTG expertise and the ability to manage installations, diagnostics, and performance tuning.

Applicants should be prepared for office-centered work with some remote options and a strong focus on customer service, collaboration, and ITIL-aligned practices to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Qualifications

• Advanced CICS/CTG, JES2, RACF and z/OS familiarity.
• Proficient with SMP/e or z/OSMF for maintenance and deployment.
• Expert in JCL, ISPF, TSO, SDSF and IBM utilities.
• Strong problem-solving and customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex mainframe software/hardware installations and maintenance.
• Provide technical guidance and project support to business customers.
• Coordinate with ITIL-based processes and communicate project status.
• Serve as team lead on Mainframe Engineering initiatives.

Skills

CICS/CTG expertise

JES2, RACF, z/OS knowledge

SMP/e or z/OSMF

JCL/ISPF/TSO/REXX

Mainframe hardware knowledge

Tools

ServerPAC

CBPDO

z/OSMF

SDSF

RACF

Job description

JC-534822 - Mainframe System Engineer - CICS - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II
$8,625.00 - $11,557.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 10/23/2026

The salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect reductions in pay in accordance with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

The Mainframe System Engineer - CICS acts as the recognized system CICS specialist and lead on the most complex mainframe system software/hardware assignments and also acts a backup to most complex mainframe systems software/hardware assignments. Major duties will include performing the most complex installation, maintenance of software/hardware products in support of Franchise Tax Board operational needs. The Mainframe System Engineer - CICS will also act as a lead on the Mainframe Engineering team and will inform management of project status and communicate with each other on activities, problems, plans, changes while following the department's Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) procedures and guidelines. The Mainframe System Engineer - CICS may be assigned as a team lead to participate in a variety of working environments and projects of varying sizes; including co-location with the project team on large systems development projects. The Mainframe System Engineer - CIC works with staff of all levels and technical abilities from within the Technical Services Division and the business customers to provide technical guidance and project support with a focus on excellent customer service. All duties are performed within the framework of the department and the Infrastructure Bureau's mission and values. The position provides services which encompass the IT domain of Software Engineering.

Working Conditions

• Interviews will be conducted in person.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship, now or in the future.
• This position requires 4 or more days in the office per week. It is designated office-centered and may be eligible for some remote work based on departmental guidelines and operational need.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities and be able to adjust work schedule to meet operational needs.
• Responsibilities may include being on-call outside of regular working hours.

About the Technology Services Division (TSD). The mission of TSD is to securely deliver and support information technology solutions and services essential to the success of the FTB’s mission. By acting on our TSD mission, we will realize our vision of a collaborative and diverse team of IT experts who further innovation and empower our business partners to accomplish their goals. Read more about FTB.

Learn more about other FTB technical roles at this FTB microsite.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

Department Information

Our mission is to help taxpayers file timely and accurate tax returns, and pay the correct amount to fund services important to Californians.

FTB fosters an environment of equity and inclusion for all and we welcome everyone to be part of our diverse workforce.

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify.

CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 2, SECTION 172 : All candidates for, appointees to, and employees in the state civil service shall possess the general qualifications of integrity, honesty, sobriety, dependability, industry, thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, courtesy, ability to work cooperatively with others, willingness and ability to assume the responsibilities and to conform to the conditions of work characteristic of the employment, and a state of health, consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. Where the position requires the driving of an automobile, the employee must have a valid state driver's license, a good driving record and is expected to drive the car safely. The foregoing general qualifications shall be deemed to be a part of the personal characteristics of the minimum qualifications of each class specification and need not be specifically set forth therein.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE** As required by the department's rules of conduct, all employees of the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) must be in compliance with the California Revenue and Taxation Code. During the background investigation portion of the hiring process, FTB will review return information to verify California state income tax compliance. Any failure to comply with the California Revenue and Taxation Code may prevent you from being hired at FTB. You must verify your filing status by calling 1-800-852-5711 to resolve any potential tax compliance issues, prior to submitting your application and seeking employment with FTB. All applicants not currently employed with the Franchise Tax Board will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of completion of a pre-employment questionnaire, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the Department of Justice to disclose criminal records. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons with hearing or speech impairments, call TTY/TDD [phone].

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced systems programming experience in IBM Mainframe hardware and software with in-depth knowledge, comprehension, administration and configuration of Customer Information Control System (CICS), CICS Transaction Gateway (CTG), JES2, RACF Security Concepts for CICS, z/OS Structures, Facilities and the interrelationship of subcomponents/subsystems of the z/OS Mainframe environment
• Advanced experience using SMP/e or z/OSMF to maintain, install, and customize the mainframe IBM and ISV software products, including expert working level administration, configuration and deployment using ServerPAC (Portable Software Instance) and/or CBPDO
• Advanced level understanding of Initial Program Load, IPL, process
• Advanced knowledge, experience, and comprehension of z/OS Management Facility, z/OSMF, Time-Sharing Option (TSO), Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF), System Display and Search Facility (SDSF), Command List (CLIST), Restructured Extended Executor (REXX), Job Control Language (JCL), IBM utilities, Data Facility Product (DFP), Data Facility Data Set Services (DFDSS), Resource Access Control Facility (RACF), System Network Architecture (SNA) and TCP/IP
• Expert working level with mainframe Assembler Language, working with and maintaining z/OS related User Exits, and working with and maintaining non-z/OS related User Exits, and strong understanding of MVS Control Blocks
• Working knowledge installing and deploying all related Mainframe hardware
• Strong understanding and working with mainframe hardware, Direct Access Storage Device (DASD), Physical and Virtual Tape (TAPE/VTS) storage, General Processors, GP, zIIP and IFL Specialty Engines
• Experience monitoring, troubleshooting, analyzing, and diagnosing CICS/CTG and related component systems software along with exceptional communication and triage abilities
• Experience planning, scheduling, and performing software component upgrades and applying fixes for CICS/CTG Systems Software
• Acts as Subject Matter Expert, SME, and a lead for CICS/CTG, and effectively engage SME’s and comprehend technical topics
• Experience in mentoring and providing training and guidance
• Ability to document clear and precise work and operational procedures
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team with internal and external members while maintaining a positive cooperative attitude, self-motivated, excellent written and verbal communication skills
• With minimal direction, ability to handle multiple events/tasks while maintaining excellent customer service
• Experience using change management processes to deploy software changes into Production and following rigorous testing and backout procedures

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Convenient transportation and commuting options include : Light Rail stop, bicycle lockers, free parking, and carpool/vanpool opportunities

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: http://www.ftb.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Classification and Hiring Unit
[phone]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Unit
[phone]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.