Excise Tax Examiner (ETE3)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Licensing is seeking an Excise Tax Examiner to provide technical leadership in fuel tax reporting and refunds, and to train staff while improving processes and systems. You will interpret laws, guide decision-making, and ensure compliance through collaboration with a cross-functional team.

Responsibilities include researching unusual tax issues, testing system changes, and preparing workload and system reports, with a Wednesday-Thursday in-office requirement in

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience with financial, accounting, audit, compliance, or tax administration.
• Up to four (4) years of relevant education in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field may substitute year for year for experience, but must include the accounting education listed above.
• Two (2) years of experience as an Excise Tax Examiner 2 or one (1) year as Excise Tax Examiner 2 with accounting/auditing experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the team’s technical lead, guiding staff through complex taxpayer accounts, returns, registrations, and financial transactions.
• Help develop and deliver staff training on taxation, industry standards, processes, and systems, and provide individualized or group training for customers.
• Research and resolve unusual tax issues, reconcile complex accounts, and help staff analyze customer information and apply laws, rules, and policies.
• Serve as a system specialist, troubleshoot issues, enter and test system requests, and help customers and developers resolve electronic and XML filing problems.
• Participate in system and process redesign, lead or support special projects, and prepare reports on workloads, benchmarking, and system information.
• Review and approve refunds and make decisions on penalty and interest waiver requests within delegated authority.

Skills

Interpreting laws and regulations

Policy analysis and impact assessment

Communication and collaboration

Education

Accounting education (12 semester hours)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

Job description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

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 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.

Do you enjoy being a go-to resource, sharing your expertise, and helping a team navigate complex challenges? We encourage you to read on!

As an Excise Tax Examiner, you will provide technical leadership and help staff build the knowledge and skills needed to resolve complex fuel tax reporting and refund issues. Working under general direction, you will serve as a key resource for the team, guide consistent decision‑making, and support accurate and timely work. You will help strengthen daily operations and safeguard transportation revenue by sharing expertise, improving processes, and supporting staff through changes in laws, industry standards, and systems. Success in this position requires sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to explain technical information clearly in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Some of what you will do:

• Serve as the team’s technical lead, guiding staff through complex taxpayer accounts, returns, registrations, and financial transactions.
• Help develop and deliver staff training on taxation, industry standards, processes, and systems, and provide individualized or group training for customers.
• Research and resolve unusual tax issues, reconcile complex accounts, and help staff analyze customer information and apply laws, rules, and policies.
• Serve as a system specialist, troubleshoot issues, enter and test system requests, and help customers and developers resolve electronic and XML filing problems.
• Participate in system and process redesign, lead or support special projects, and prepare reports on workloads, benchmarking, and system information.
• Review and approve refunds and make decisions on penalty and interest waiver requests within delegated authority.

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.

Up to four (4) years of relevant education in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field may substitute year for year for experience, but must include the accounting education listed above.

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.
  • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
  • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
  • Take action to learn and grow.
  • 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, registration, and processing duties.
• One (1) year of experience facilitating a group or developing and presenting training.
• One (1) year of experience acting in a lead capacity in a work environment.

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.

For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Kyle Odell.

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.