Excise Tax Examiner (ETE3)

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

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

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!

Duties

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

Salary

• $4,882 - $6,414/month

Qualifications

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.

  • 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 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.

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

Other Information

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!

How to Apply:

• Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
  • Please Attach:
  • A Current Resume
  • A Cover Letter
  • Include a transcript if you are using your accounting credits to meet our required qualifications.

Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions, are completed in full.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.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.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notifythe Talent Acquisition Team.

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.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026