Hearing Officer

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 67,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Vision & dental plans

Pension plans

Paid leave & holidays

Education reimbursement

Parking & LinkedIn Learning access

Job summary

State of Indiana, specifically the Indiana Department of Revenue, is seeking a Hearing Officer to resolve taxpayer appeals on formal and informal bases. You will issue final determinations and negotiate settlements as an impartial decision maker, with research and advisory duties across the department.

The role requires Indiana bar admission, excellent writing and communication skills, and ability to work with cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed and active in good standing to practice law in the state of Indiana.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Self-directed team players with problem solving skills and a desire to find the right answer.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn legal concepts, laws, trial rules, and Indiana tax law.
• Experienced in conducting all aspects of legal research.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local law procedures and precedents.
• Ability to learn about DOR programs, purpose, services, and structure.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Able to learn new software applications.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and conduct administrative hearings allowing taxpayers to explain their appeal.
• Schedule hearings within 30 days of appeal assignment.
• Conduct legal research to address appeals and prepare final determinations.
• Fully resolve taxpayer appeals with thoroughly researched final determinations.
• Consult with Legal Division and DOR colleagues as needed.
• Maintain professional relationships with taxpayers and representatives.
• Develop and maintain settlements; prepare settlement documents and ensure compliance with settlement agreements.
• Provide internal legal advice to DOR and participate in training of other sections.
• Have fun working with a cohesive team and helping Hoosier taxpayers.

Skills

Law license IN

Legal research

Writing skills

Communication skills

MS Office/Teams

Education

Indiana bar admission

Tools

MS Office

Teams

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR):

The Indiana Department of Revenue team is comprised of over 700 staff that are located in 13 locations across the state of Indiana. We work collaboratively with the Indiana Governor's office, the General Assembly, state agencies, individuals, business owners, corporations, tax practitioners, and a variety of tax program participants to administer Indiana's tax laws. DOR administers over 65 tax types and annually processes nearly $21 billion of tax revenue. Our mission is to serve Indiana by administering tax laws in a fair, secure, and efficient manner.

Role Overview:

DOR’s legal team is a highly productive and collegial team who has a lot of fun doing complex work and helping Hoosier taxpayers.

As a Hearing Officer, you will use your experience and education as an attorney on day 1 with the goal being the resolution of taxpayer appeals on both a formal and informal basis. Primary responsibilities include resolving appeals by writing and issuing final determinations (which are published in the Indiana Register and represent DOR’s final word on a tax matter short of legislative or court reversal), or via negotiated settlement. You will serve as an impartial decision maker, evaluating the legal merits of the taxpayers’ arguments and DOR’s actions. You will conduct legal research in order to fully address a taxpayer appeal. You will also serve as a reviewer for DOR’s written documents and as a resource person-either as adviser or participant-to ad hoc or standing committees organized to address unique or ongoing issues before DOR. Ultimately, you will ensure that both DOR and taxpayers are in full compliance with Indiana tax law. You will also help advise and train other sections of DOR on the procedures of the Appeals section.

The minimum salary for this position starts at $67,314.00 for attorneys with 1-5 years, or $85,020.00 for attorneys with 5+, years of experience while admitted to a state bar, but may be greater commensurate with education or work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Schedule and conduct administrative hearings permitting each taxpayer the opportunity to fully explain the basis for that taxpayer’s appeal if a hearing is requested by the taxpayer.
• Schedule administrative hearings within 30 days following the date on which the appeal is initially assigned.
• Perform the necessary legal and other research in order to fully address the taxpayer’s appeal, including internal DOR research.
• Fully resolve taxpayer appeals issuing thoroughly researched and clearly written final determinations addressing each appeal or otherwise resolving appeals in a timely manner.
• As necessary, consult with other members of the Legal Division team, and other members of DOR.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and professional relationships with taxpayers and their representatives, as well as colleagues within DOR.
• Resolve all associated issues raised following issuance of the final determination including requests for rehearing, preparation and issuance of supplementary final determinations, and settlement issues; as well as issues associated with litigation if a final determination is challenged in court.
• Prepare and present for consideration settlement proposals stemming from assigned appeals or otherwise assigned settlements; prepare, edit, and present for execution settlement documents; assure that all necessary steps are taken to assure that DOR complies with the executed settlement agreement.
• Provide internal legal advice to the rest of DOR, as requested.
• Participate in training and education of other DOR sections.
• Have fun working with a cohesive team and helping Hoosier taxpayers.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Must be licensed and active in good standing to practice law in the state of Indiana.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Self-directed team players with problem solving skills and a desire to find the right answer and think outside the box.
• Knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn legal concepts, laws, trial rules, and, specifically, Indiana tax law.
• Experienced in conducting all aspects of legal research, including resources and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn federal, state, and local law procedures, and precedents pertaining to DOR’s function and purpose.
• Ability and willingness to learn about programs, purpose, services, and structure of DOR.
• Well-versed in Microsoft products for office use (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• Adept at learning new software applications.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .