Excise Tax Examiner 4

About the role

This recruitment is open to current Washington State Department of Revenue employees only.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance to division staff with interpretive questions related to taxability on assigned programs.
• Performs expert-level support of the Apportionment & Financial Institutions team’s duties and tax programs.
• Participates in systems and process redesign.
• Works with other agency staff to revise Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) and related administrative publications on assigned programs.
• Oversees procedures and training curriculum for the Apportionment & Financial Institutions Team.
• Performs complex analysis of such programs and performs complex tax account adjustments that may involve multiple taxpayer accounts related to a tax program or administrative function.
• Work Core ATLAS work items to maintain ability to review accounts and make account adjustments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conduct full-scope financial examinations and comprehensive reviews of taxpayer accounts, including analyzing tax returns, business records, audit reports, industry issues, and historical activity to determine accurate tax liability and compliance.
• Proven ability to independently research, interpret, and apply Washington excise tax laws, rules, policies, and procedures, supported by progressive experience gathering and validating information from multiple sources, identifying key questions, evaluating ambiguous or complex situations, assessing legislative and reporting impacts, and providing well-reasoned, authoritative guidance to staff to improve program accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex tax data, monthly reports, assessments, and legislative proposals, supported by progressive experience reviewing financial, accounting, or tax-related documentation to identify errors, evaluate impacts, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing enterprise tax systems such as ATLAS or comparable automated platforms, including demonstrated skill in pulling, analyzing, and validating data, identifying distribution discrepancies, and supporting system testing for system pack updates and legislative implementations.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and professionally written determinations, notices, and account actions, such as credit/debit notices, amended assessments, Administrative Review responses, and other technical documents requiring clarity, accuracy, and legal supportability.
• Proven ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing, including experience drafting policy documents, preparing briefings, creating and delivering presentations, and responding to inquiries from internal staff, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to deliver effective training and presentations, applying verbal communication skills to educate and support others.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback to staff, including experience training new examiners, reviewing work for accuracy, answering escalated questions, and offering recommendations to management on policy or procedural issues.
• Proven leadership ability, including providing direction, facilitating teamwork, fostering trust through professionalism, anticipating long-term challenges, and motivating others to align with shared goals and vision.
• Demonstrated ability to use strong interpersonal skills, collaborating effectively with others, offering constructive input, actively listening, and applying empathy and self-awareness to maintain positive working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with taxpayers, colleagues, other divisions, and external entities to resolve account matters and support unit and division goals.
• Progressive experience delivering effective customer service, including communicating difficult information, de-escalating upset customers, responding to calls promptly, and assisting customers unfamiliar with Department processes.
• Proven ability to apply strong critical thinking, decision-making, and independent judgment within established authority levels by conducting methodical research, analyzing complex or ambiguous situations, evaluating incomplete or conflicting information, and preparing well-reasoned recommendations while considering procedural gaps, consequences, and established authority levels.
• Proven ability to manage time and organize work effectively, including independently prioritizing duties, meeting deadlines, balancing multiple assignments, and completing both routine tasks and complex projects despite frequent interruptions.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow: Curious about themselves and others, take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, and use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.
• Uses an equity & inclusive approach: Actively seeks to understand and appreciate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of colleagues, customers, and communities. Encourages an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Uses an equity lens that applies an objective perspective to daily work by considering impacts on the people we serve, particularly marginalized groups by actively identifying and removing inequitable barriers.