​ABOLISHED 08/01/2018 PER PAY LETTER 18-18 - Tax Research Specialist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established December 6, 1988

Scope

This series specification describes classes at the Franchise Tax Board in which employees, under general direction, independently plan, organize, and conduct complicated projects and studies requiring knowledge and abilities at or beyond the journeyperson level which affect programs or systems development with the State. Incumbents in this series are subject-matter experts who have demonstrated expertise in tax revenue forecasting and in the development of tax models. Incumbents in these classes provide expert consultative services on the feasibility, impact, or potential of a variety of State operations, projects or proposals to interested parties. They advise management, departmental staff, legislative bodies, governmental entities, commissions, and agencies on findings related to tax revenue analysis and forecasting areas. Positions in these classes perform the most difficult forecasting analysis. They analyze proposed tax law changes which may affect tax revenue and develop, maintain and enhance econometric models for use in determining estimates of the revenue impact of these proposed tax law changes. Incumbents utilize complex forecasting techniques and conceptualize and analyze complex computer programs and models.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Factors include the level, variety and complexity of work, independence of action, direction, program and policy formulation role, implementation responsibilities, and nature of contacts.

Other Factors Include

Top departmental management's view of the employee's role, degree of originality of research techniques employed, uniqueness of activities, impact and ultimate usage of conclusion and recommendations, sensitivity of projects, and role of incumbents in the organization.

Definition of Levels

Associate Tax Research Specialist

This is the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform the more difficult and complex duties involved in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and tax modeling functions.

Tax Research Specialist I

The positions are characterized by assignments which require, on a regular basis, a high degree of tax revenue analysis and forecasting and tax modeling skill above the journey level. Under general direction, incumbents at this level independently develop and utilize tax revenue analysis, forecasting and tax modeling skills in areas where precedents are lacking or a sparse body of knowledge or experience in the area exists. Incumbents work independently on sensitive and complex tax revenue analysis and forecasting functions having statewide impact and are of interest to the Legislature and media.

Tax Research Specialist II

The positions are identified by top Franchise Tax Board management as requiring the service of the most highly skilled practitioners who are seen as prime resource persons and innovators in tax revenue analysis and forecasting, tax models and related subject matter. Incumbents perform the most sensitive and complex tax revenue analysis and forecasting functions having statewide and multi-State impact and have extreme legislative and media interest.

Tax Research Specialist III

The position is identified by top Franchise Tax Board management to be occupied by an individual who is widely recognized as having distinguished him or herself in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and tax models and who will serve as the Board's top technical advisor in these fields.

The incumbent will report to the highest level in the Research Bureau and is the advisor on complicated tax revenue and forecasting projects and studies.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Associate Tax Research Specialist

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a Research Analyst I, Range C. (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties as specified above will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience before they can be eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Three years of increasingly responsible technical expertise in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling including two years of applied research experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and interpretation of data. A master's degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) may substitute this achievement for two years of experience.

Or III

A Doctorate Degree in Economics, Operations Research, Statistics or other related research fields. (Applicants who have completed the Doctorate course work but have not attained the Doctorate certificate will be admitted to the examination, but must produce evidence of completion of the Doctorate Degree and obtain the required certificate in the specified fields of study before they may be considered eligible for appointment.)

Tax Research Specialist I

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Tax Research Specialist.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling functions of a class with a level of responsibility not less than that of Research Analyst I, Range C.

Or III

Four years of increasingly responsible technical expertise in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling including three years of applied research experience at the journeyperson level or higher with responsibility for the determination of research design and methodology for a complete research project. A Doctorate Degree in Economics, Operations Research, Statistics or other related research fields may be substituted for three years of the required experience. A master's degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) may substitute this achievement for two years of experience.

Tax Research Specialist II

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Tax Research Specialist I.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling functions of a class with a level of responsibility not less than that of Associate Tax Research Specialist.

Or III

Five years of increasingly responsible technical expertise in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling including four years of applied research experience at the journeyperson level or higher with responsibility for the determination of research design and methodology for a complete research project. A Doctorate Degree in Economics, Operations Research, Statistics or other related research fields may be substituted for three years of the required experience. A master's degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) may substitute this achievement for two years of experience.

Tax Research Specialist III

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Tax Research Specialist II.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling functions of a class with a level of responsibility not less than that of Tax Research Specialist I.

Or III

Broad and extensive experience (more than five years), of responsible technical expertise in tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling including five years of applied research experience at the journeyperson level or higher with responsibility for the determination of research design and methodology for a complete research project. A Doctorate Degree in Economics, Operations Research, Statistics or other related fields may be substituted for three years of the required experience. A master's degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) may substitute this achievement for two years of experience.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Tax revenue analysis; economic forecasting; research methods and techniques; application of computerized models to research data; statistical and other methods used in the analysis and projection of data; survey methods and analytical techniques; operations research methods.

Ability to: Communicate effectively to individuals and groups related to the areas of tax revenue analysis and forecasting and/or tax modeling; analyze and make recommendations; plan and carry out research projects; prepare and present technical reports; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Demonstrated ability to act independently; initiative; flexibility; and tact.

Class History