PROGRAM SPECIALIST II, FRANCHISE TAX BOARD

State of California; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Franchise Tax Board in California seeks a Program Specialist II to resolve highly sensitive protested income tax audits for corporate, pass‑through entity, or individual taxpayers. The role requires strict impartiality and adherence to Protest Best Practices within a hybrid work arrangement.

The position offers a monthly salary of $8,020.00 to $10,542.00 and involves applying Audit and Legal Division policies, with in-office and limited remote work within California.

Qualifications

• Responsible for resolving highly sensitive, complex protested income tax audits to determine correct tax assessments.
• Must apply Audit, Filing, and Legal Division policies and Protest Best Practices in handling cases.
• Protest is a mandated workload; must perform duties of a Hearing Officer impartially and independently.

Responsibilities

• Resolve highly sensitive protested income tax audits for Corporate, Pass-Through Entity or Individual taxpayers.
• Apply policies and procedures to determine correct tax assessments and comply with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
• Independently conduct hearings and manage protest workload per division standards.

Skills

Protest resolution

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

Case Management (CM)

Taxpayer Folder (TPF)

Taxpayer Information System (TI)

Business Entities Tax System (BETS)

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Visio

Job description

Program Specialist II PROGRAM SPECIALIST II, FRANCHISE TAX BOARD

$8,020.00 - $10,542.00 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: 10/2/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Under the general direction of an Administrator II, the incumbent is responsible for resolving highly sensitive, and complex protested income tax audits for Corporate, Pass-Through Entity or Individual taxpayers to determine the correct assessment of tax. Apply the Audit, Filing, and Legal Division’s policies and procedures, and Protest Best Practices to resolve undocketed protest cases. Protest is a mandated workload, and the incumbent is expected to independently perform the duties of a Hearing Officer and conduct themselves in an unbiased and impartial manner, and in accordance with the department’s Mission, Statement of Principles of Tax Administration, and abide by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Additional positions may become available (RPA 2627-00503, 00504, 00506).

Position(s) is located in the following office location:

• Sacramento (central and/or field office), Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, West Covina, and/or San Francisco, California

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for limited remote working within California based on departmental guidelines and operational need. FTB has a minimum in-office requirement of four days per week for all positions including those that are eligible for telework. This is subject to change.

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PROGRAM SPECIALIST II, FRANCHISE TAX BOARD

PROGRAM SPECIALIST II, FRANCHISE TAX BOARD $8,020.00 - $10,542.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

Multiple

Work Location:

United States

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

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

• Excellent technical, analytical, organization, and time management skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, judgment, and decision making skills
• Ability to shift priorities and workloads in order to achieve program goals
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to resolve customer issues effectively and efficiently
• Strong work ethic and enthusiasm
• Ability to work independently and on teams
• Knowledge of tax laws, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of accounting and case management software and or systems
• Ability to use online research resources
• Ability to demonstrate strong initiative and self motivation
• Knowledge of Case Management (CM), Taxpayer Folder (TPF), Taxpayer Information System (TI), Business Entities Tax System (BETS), Word, Excel, Visio
• Experience and success working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to deal with difficult or irate customers
• Experience using technology to communicate with taxpayers, tax representatives, leads, peers and managers
• Ability to accept and utilize constructive feedback

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

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 & Hiring
[phone]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Monica Squadrilli
[phone]
[e-mail]

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]
[e-mail]

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.