Excise Tax Examiner

This posting is for a non-permanent position expected to last 12 months.

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Prorate and Fuel Tax (PRFT) Services within our Business & Professions Division (BPD) is currently recruiting for an Excise Tax Examiner (ETE3) with expertise and interest in tax review, customer service and education. 

Washington’s infrastructure requires considerable investment to ensure residents and visitors have safety, comfort, and simplicity as they move around the state. PRFT administers the state’s fuel tax collection programs, as well as the International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), collecting almost $2 billion in annual revenue for the state’s transportation programs to ensure investment continues in state roadways.

If you are ready to use your lead abilities and skills and love showing initiative and engaging with your team to help complete our goals, we encourage you to read on!

As an Excise Tax Examiner, you will apply advanced technical expertise to resolve complex fuel tax reporting and refund issues while serving as a key resource for staff and program partners. Working under general direction, you will analyze and make decisions on assessments, refunds, registrations, and tax returns, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, and standards. You will review complex or sensitive transactions, including pending license denials, and have authority to approve refunds and penalty waivers. In this role, you will collaborate with internal teams, external jurisdictions, system vendors, and state and federal partners to support consistent operations, equitable service delivery, and the safeguarding of transportation revenue. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively in a hybrid, team-oriented environment.

Some of what you will do:

• Serve as a technical lead, supporting staff with complex taxpayer accounts, returns, registrations, and fuel tax transactions
• Analyze and resolve complex or unusual tax reporting issues, ensuring accurate application of laws, rules, and industry standards
• Provide guidance, training, and technical support to staff and customers on tax processes, systems, and reporting requirements
• Collaborate with customers and system partners to ensure accurate filings, including support for electronic and XML submissions
• Participate in system improvements, testing, and special projects to enhance processes and operational effectiveness
• Review and approve refunds and penalty or interest waivers within delegated authority, ensuring compliance and consistency

What you will bring to the role:

• Four (4) years of experience with financial, accounting, audit, compliance, or tax administration. This experience still requires you to have at least 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of accounting education.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as an Excise Tax Examiner 2.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as an Excise Tax Examiner 2 and one (1) year of accounting or auditing experience.

Experience Must Include:

• One (1) year of intermediate to advanced experience using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• One (1) year of experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, policies, and assessing impacts.
• The ability to:
• Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity and inclusion through behaviors and decisions.
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• Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
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• Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
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• Take action to learn and grow.
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• Take action to meet the needs of others.

What may help set you apart:

• One (1) year of experience in Prorate and Fuel Tax Services or other fuel or tax related program.
• One (1) year of experience navigating vendor systems to perform research inquiry and processing duties.
• One (1) year of experience facilitating a group or developing and presenting training.

Additional conditions of employment:

• This position requires a minimum in-office presence every Wednesday and Thursday at our Olympia, WA office, with the possibility of additional in-office days to meet training requirements.
• Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment screening, including criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the pre-employment check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.