Job Description

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Tax Auditor, Employment Development Department Series

Applicants must take the on-line, Tax Auditor, EDD exam to be eligible for this position. Please see the “Special Requirements" section for more information about the exam.

Be sure to review the education and experience requirements listed under the 'Minimum Qualifications' link below.

Tax Auditors may be eligible for Recruitment Hiring Above Minimum (HAM) salary rate of $5,528 per month (Range A hires only).

FIELD TAX AUDITOR - EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Would you like to make an impact in public service? Are you looking for a career that combines work-life balance with fantastic benefits? Look no further!

The Tax Branch of the Employment Development Department (EDD) has an immediate opening to fill one (1), Auditor vacancies in a dynamic audit team with the Field Audit and Compliance Division's, San Jose Area Audit Office's, San Jose Audit Crew 2. This position may be filled at the entry level Tax Auditor classification or the promotional Associate Tax Auditor level for recruitment purposes!

Come join one of the largest tax collection agencies in the nation! The EDD is responsible for conducting employment tax audits and investigations of businesses operating in California. The EDD also provides education to employers by conducting cost-free seminars and participating in outreach events.

As an EDD auditor, part of your daily activities will include conducting in person audits and working closely with business owners and their representatives. You will review employer records to reconcile payroll taxes, determine if workers are properly classified as employees or independent contractors, and ensure their payments are reported correctly. Auditors are also responsible for preparing audit reports and discussing the audit results with the business' responsible parties. As an auditor, you play a crucial role to ensure that all workers receive the benefit coverage they are entitled to under the law and promote fair business practices.

This is a fantastic opportunity to conduct payroll tax audits while contributing to the integrity of California's employment tax laws. Become a part of the San Jose Area Audit Office, if you are ready for a challenging career that will improve the lives of others.

For additional position details, please see the Tax Auditor and Associate Tax Auditor duty statements and minimum qualifications information linked below.

The position(s) are headquartered in San Jose, CA and may be eligible for telework under EDD's telework policy. California Government Code Section 14200 requires employees to reside in California to telecommute. Employees are required to report to their headquarters office, as needed. Travel expenses to and from the assigned headquarters are the responsibility of the employee.

A DAY IN THE LIFE - GET READY TO THINK BIG, WORK SMART, AND SHINE BRIGHT!
As Field Tax Auditor, you will:

• Receive on-the-job and formal training.
• Conduct in person payroll tax audits and investigations for California-based companies.
• Learn, follow, and apply the provisions of the California Unemployment Insurance Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 22, California Labor Code, and California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board decisions.
• Interact with business owners and/or their representatives to understand their business operation and internal controls.
• Interview workers and contractors to discuss their working relationship and determine proper classification.
• Gather relevant information to determine the correct classification of workers and wages.
• Examine financial records to reconcile reported taxes with employer payroll reports.
• Prepare detailed audit reports to support the audit findings and recommendations.
• Explain audit findings to business owners and/or their representatives.
• Attend meetings and participate in Branch and Division-sponsored trainings.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• The EDD is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Various Health, Dental and Vision plans to choose from
• Retirement Plans (CalPERS, 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Additional Paid Time Off (Vacation; Sick Leave; Professional Development Days; Personal Holidays)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement (subject to availability of state budget)
• Telework Stipends (for eligible employees)
• Staff Mentoring Program
• Free Parking (at most locations)
• Transit Pass Program

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Travel may be required for this position, and may include overnight and/or out of state; work out of the office and/or in an outstation setting which requires a higher level of independence and self-motivation.
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click  here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

Special Requirements

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at  .

Please only submit ONE application.  Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.  This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment 

To apply for this position, you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam: 

Tax Auditor, EDD Bulletin

The exam for Associate Tax Auditor will be available 05/5/2026 thru 05/19/2026. 

For more information about the State hiring process,  click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job,  click here .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Possession of excellent writing skills to prepare detailed, organized, and accurate reports that support your conclusions.
• Skills handling or reviewing financial records and documents.
• Exposure to principles of auditing
• Exposure to principles of accounting
• Exposure to principles of business law
• Outstanding oral communication skills are required to communicate findings to employers and/or their representatives in a clear and professional manner.
• Ability to analyze information, evidence, and facts to render sound conclusions.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to create and maintain an effective and courteous working relationship with management, supervisors, staff and the general public.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite application.

Benefits

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

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Other - A  Cover Letter is required and must be included.
  Address the following prompt in the cover letter. Write a minimum of two paragraphs with 12-point font, single-spaced, but no more than two pages total.

  Describe how your experiences, skills and training/educational background have prepared and qualified you for this position as described in the job posting and position statement.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Immediate start, Remote work, Night shift

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