Tax Auditor I
Apply NowCompany: City of Oakland, CA
Location: Oakland, CA 94601
Description:
Salary : $74,449.44 - $91,447.20 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 25-AF004-03
Department: Finance Department
Opening Date: 04/07/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SD1
The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Finance Department?
This is the best time to join our team! The Revenue Audit Unit within the Finance Department is currently recruiting to fill two (2) vacancies to support our growing need for services. The Revenue Management Bureau collects and audits all taxes, fees, and revenue sources within the City. The City of Oakland is a learning organization, committed to developing talent and assisting in the personal and professional growth of our team members. Your unique experiences will be an important contribution to our success and a positive impact on the Oakland community.
We are looking for someone who is:
What you will typically be responsible for:
Click to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:
A few challenges you might face in this job:
Competencies Required:
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may acceptable:
Experience:
None required.
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration, economics, or a related field;
OR
An Associate's degree with core course completion in one of the above fields and two years of experience in license field inspection may be substituted.
Desirable Qualifications:
Supplemental Information
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test. You will have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of May 1, 2025.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What's in it for you?
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers:
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply:Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alanna Butler, Human Resource Analyst, at
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
CalPERS Medical
Dental
Vision
Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits
Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
Pension Benefits
Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on an eligible list. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental responses.
02
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?
03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port employee, type "N/A".
04
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?
05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.
06
Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland put N/A.
07
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
08
What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?
09
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits", how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
10
For your highest degree, what was your major?
11
If you selected "Other", please list the major for your degree.
12
Acting assignments: If you have served in an Acting assignment that you would like considered as experience towards the minimum qualifications requirement, please list the Acting assignment(s) separately in the "Work experience" section of your application. For each Acting assignment, the description must include the Acting job title (use the word Acting as part of the job title), dates and hours served, and duties performed.I understand the above statement and will list any Acting assignments separately in the "Work experience" section of my application form.
13
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
Required Question
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 25-AF004-03
Department: Finance Department
Opening Date: 04/07/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SD1
The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Finance Department?
This is the best time to join our team! The Revenue Audit Unit within the Finance Department is currently recruiting to fill two (2) vacancies to support our growing need for services. The Revenue Management Bureau collects and audits all taxes, fees, and revenue sources within the City. The City of Oakland is a learning organization, committed to developing talent and assisting in the personal and professional growth of our team members. Your unique experiences will be an important contribution to our success and a positive impact on the Oakland community.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Detail Orientated: You will be expected to accurately perform detailed work in a time-efficient manner.
- A strong critical thinker: You will need to review and analyze financial records and use good judgment to draw sound conclusions in different situations.
- An Excellent Communicator: You will need to provide clear, concise, and tactful communication, both verbally and in writing, to taxpayers and members of the public.
- Self-motivated: You will be expected to take initiative and use your resources to solve problems.
- Professional: You will be expected to adhere to high standards of behavior in the course of your work by demonstrating integrity and objectiveness.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Conducting office and field audits of taxpayers to determine the correct amount of tax in accordance with the Oakland Municipal Code and Federal and California Tax Laws.
- Reviewing financial records and determining business tax.
- Preparing detailed audit reports for business tax, real property transfer tax, vacant property tax, and business tax refunds.
- Working directly with taxpayers or their representatives to obtain and analyze relevant facts and make appropriate determinations that are fair and impartial.
- Answering general questions and inquiries from the public about the Oakland Municipal Code and the City's tax schedules.
Click to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:
- Your work will directly impact the City's ability to provide important services to a community with a rich and dynamic history.
- You will be working in Downtown Oakland, a lively urban neighborhood, with easy access to BART and other transportation hubs.
- You will have excellent opportunities for growth and development with a clear pathway for advancement.
- You will join a strong team and a positive working environment with team members who are helpful, understanding, and willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will need to multi-task in a high-volume environment and stay organized to complete multiple assignments simultaneously.
- You will assist taxpayers, accountants, attorneys, and bookkeepers and inform them about City of Oakland Municipal Ordinances, policies and procedures, and applicable California laws.
- You will need to analyze different kinds of business tax records and financial statements, which may vary between businesses, to determine the revenue subject to license taxation.
- You will need to present your audit findings at the Board of Review or Appeals Hearing, in a more formal setting, as needed.
Competencies Required:
- Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one's work
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may acceptable:
Experience:
None required.
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration, economics, or a related field;
OR
An Associate's degree with core course completion in one of the above fields and two years of experience in license field inspection may be substituted.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience in tax preparation, accounting, or auditing
- Experience with Federal or State auditing
- Experience working in the public sector or a government setting
- Experience working with the public
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License
Supplemental Information
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test. You will have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of May 1, 2025.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What's in it for you?
- Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule with the ability to telecommute one (1) day per week.
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k, Employee Training, and Telecommuting.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers:
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply:Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alanna Butler, Human Resource Analyst, at
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
CalPERS Medical
Dental
Vision
Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits
Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
Pension Benefits
Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on an eligible list. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental responses.
- Yes
- No
02
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?
- Yes
- No
03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port employee, type "N/A".
04
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?
- Yes
- No
05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.
06
Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland put N/A.
07
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
- Yes
- No
08
What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?
- High school graduate, diploma or equivalent
- Some college credit, no degree
- Associate degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
- Other
09
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits", how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
- 1-14 semester / 1-21 quarter units / or equivalent
- 15-29 semester / 22-44 quarter units / or equivalent
- 30-59 semester / 45-89 quarter units / or equivalent
- 60-89 semester / 90-134 quarter units / or equivalent
- 90+ semester / 135+ quarter units / or equivalent
- N/A
10
For your highest degree, what was your major?
- High School Diploma/GED (no major)
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Other
11
If you selected "Other", please list the major for your degree.
12
Acting assignments: If you have served in an Acting assignment that you would like considered as experience towards the minimum qualifications requirement, please list the Acting assignment(s) separately in the "Work experience" section of your application. For each Acting assignment, the description must include the Acting job title (use the word Acting as part of the job title), dates and hours served, and duties performed.I understand the above statement and will list any Acting assignments separately in the "Work experience" section of my application form.
- Yes
- No
13
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
- Yes
- No
Required Question