Individual Tax & Services Policy Coordinator (TPS4)

State-of-Washington-Dept.-of-Revenu; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington Department of Revenue, Legislation & Policy (L&P) Division, seeks a Tax Policy Specialist 4 to lead analysis of complex tax issues, coordinate policy development, and advise executive leadership on statewide taxation. This is a senior policy position working with top policymakers to shape legislation and tax rules.

You will supervise analysts, coach staff on policy drafting and research, review written work, and ensure timely recommendations during the legislative

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legislation and tax policy.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Proven ability to communicate technical tax concepts clearly.
• Ability to manage high-volume, time-sensitive workloads.
• Knowledge of legislative process and Washington tax statutes.
• Experience mentoring and training staff.
• Experience with policy research and executive-level recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise a team of tax policy analysts.
• Coach staff on tax legislation development and bill drafting.
• Review and edit the written work of analysts.
• Identify significant issues in draft and introduced legislation.
• Engage in strategic planning around complex policy issues.
• Support policymakers with high-level policy analysis.

Skills

Policy analysis

Staff supervision

Communication

Legislative process

Tax policy knowledge

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching/mentoring

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Bar admission in WA or eligibility

Job description

Are you interested in being part of the exciting and challenging world of legislation and tax policy? Do you enjoy working on important issues having agency-wide and even statewide significance? If so, this is your opportunity to join the Department of Revenue’s Legislation & Policy (L&P) Division, a small yet elite team of collaborative and innovative individuals who thrive in a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere. We are looking for a Tax Policy Specialist 4 (TPS 4) to join our team of dedicated professionals.

L&P is a cohesive and dedicated team of professionals who play a key role in supporting the agency’s legislative program, collaborating with internal and external partners in developing and advancing the agency’s legislative priorities. The Department has a unique role in advising and assisting the Governor and Legislature on a nonpartisan basis regarding issues affecting taxes administered by the Department. (See RCW 82.01.060(5) & (6)). L&P plays a vital role in fulfilling that statutory mandate.

Revenue is a dynamic learning organization where you will experience a remarkable work-life balance, with amazing leadership and talented co-workers ready and focused to achieve the agency's goals. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This unique culture of respect promotes a professional family of cohesive groups, maximizing potential through opportunity.

We offer a generous benefits package that includes defined benefit retirement plans; health, dental and vision coverage, deferred compensation plans, and as a public service employee, you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness.

The hiring manager may start screening applicants as early as September 17, 2026, and make a hiring decision at any time after. It will be to your advantage to submit materials as soon as possible.

Telework Option: This position is required to work in the office at least one day per month.

The purpose of this position is to enable the Legislation & Policy division to carry out this responsibility related to the Washington Income Tax passed during the 2026 Legislative Session, as well as a broader focus on Washington state taxes and services on individuals, such as the capital gains tax, estate tax, working families tax credit, and the unclaimed property program. This position coordinates, directs, and oversees the work of tax policy specialists (analysts) to ensure new and existing tax laws are administrable and reflect sound tax policy.

This is a senior policy position, working with policy makers at the highest levels of state government in the development of tax policy and in the interpretation and administration of existing statutes. This position also coordinates strategic planning around complicated policy issues that require concerted agency strategy for successful implementation across divisions.

This position works closely with senior agency policy staff to identify and evaluate emerging issues of statewide significance for the consideration of policy makers. In addition, this position is responsible for helping analysts identify problems and find solutions to complex legislative issues with significant impacts relating to state taxation and controversial matters.

Due to the sensitive and political nature of the work, this position will coach staff on how to assimilate complex applications of tax having statewide and/or industry-wide significance and consider tactical, strategic, legal, and political outcomes when finding solutions to legislative issues.

Other duties you can expect to perform include:

• Assisting L&P analysts in identifying significant issues with draft and introduced legislation, and possible resolutions.
• Coaching L&P analysts on their development of tax legislation, including idea generation and bill drafting.
• Reviewing and editing the written work of L&P analysts.
• Supervising a team of analysts.
• Participating in various special projects and assignments as needed.

This position requires the ability to work flexible hours beyond the normal 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and to work in excess of 40 hours per week to meet critical deadlines, especially during the legislative session.

The incumbent must possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and progressive experience that demonstrates readiness to successfully perform the duties and tasks of this position:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legislation and tax policy issues, including identifying statutory conflicts, unintended consequences, administrative impacts, and legal considerations, gained through progressive experience in legislative analysis, tax policy work, or related legal or governmental fields.
• Proven experience supervising professional staff, including planning, assigning, reviewing work, evaluating performance, coaching employees, and effectively recommending hiring decisions, obtained through prior lead or supervisory roles in a policy, legal, or regulatory environment.
• Progressive experience communicating complex technical, legal, or tax concepts to diverse audiences, using clear, concise written and oral communication that supports understanding by individuals with varying levels of subject-matter knowledge.
• Proven ability to manage high-volume, time-sensitive workloads, meeting critical deadlines during periods of legislative activity or competing priorities, through experience performing policy, legal, program, or analytical work under pressure.
• Proven knowledge of the legislative process, tax policy principles, and Washington State taxation statutes and rules, gained through formal education, legal training, or substantial professional experience in taxation, government policy, or public administration.
• Proven ability to provide coaching, training, or technical guidance to professional staff, including developing training content and supporting staff development, based on prior experience mentoring, instructing, or training others in a professional environment.
• Progressive experience conducting research and performing high-level policy or legal analysis, synthesizing complex information from multiple sources to prepare recommendations for executive leadership or policymakers.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in stressful or politically sensitive environments, exercising sound judgment, maintaining professionalism, and managing competing priorities, based on experience in government, legislative, legal, or regulatory work settings.

Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Uses an equitable and inclusive approach.

Learn about our Core Equity Competencies to understand the foundational skills, mindsets, and approaches we value and cultivate in our workforce.

Preferred applicants will possess comprehensive knowledge of:

Five years of experience in tax policy analysis AND either current authorization to practice law in the State of Washington or graduation from an accredited school of law and current authorization to practice before the highest court of a state.

Seven years of experience in tax policy analysis AND a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, taxation, finance, accounting, political science, or a related field.

Preferred applicants will also possess:

• Significant project management experience.
• Proven oral and written communication skills that demonstrate ability to consider the interests of others and articulate concise information and decisions to audiences with varying degrees of understanding in a way that ensures understanding and support.

This position functions within a fast-paced, politically complex environment within which accuracy, timeliness, and diplomacy are essential. Throughout our selection process, we will also be evaluating candidates for both behavioral attributes and technical skills that are necessary to succeed in this environment.

The Department of Revenue is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and offer a respectful, inclusive culture for people with disabilities, as well as members of all protected groups and statuses. We encourage you to apply.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.