Tax Review Officer (TPS 2), with an In-training Option

The Administrative Review and Hearings Division resolves taxpayer disputes of department actions. These actions include the revocation or denial of a reseller permit, the revocation of a business license, the issuance of a tax assessment, the denial of a tax refund, and unclaimed property disputes.

We are looking for strong writers who enjoy challenging legal puzzles to join us as a Tax Review Officer (Tax Policy Specialist 2). This position will hold hearings to gather facts, research relevant cases and authority, and issue decisions consistent with Washington State law and department policy.

Why do our attorneys love working at Revenue?

• No billable hours! We work predictable schedules over a true 40-hour work week. We also offer plenty of paid leave so you can enjoy your life outside of work.
• Reasonable caseloads. Our Tax Review Officers handle 30-40 cases at any one time, with turnaround times between three and twelve months.
• Remote work. We work in a hybrid setting where employees are allowed to work from home all but 1-2 days per month. Our dedicated IT staff provides all the necessary equipment.
• Supportive culture. Whether you are new to tax or have a tax LLM, you’ll receive training and guidance from managers who want to help you succeed and grow. Senior Tax Review Officers generously share information and knowledge in a non-competitive work environment. There are opportunities to network with employees from other policy divisions, cross-training rotations, and regular salary increases. We also offer in-house CLE and pay your bar dues.

The hiring manager may start screening applicants as early as November 10, 2025, and make a hiring decision at any time after. It will be to your advantage to submit materials as soon as possible.

Revenueis a dynamic learning organization where you will experience a remarkable work-life balance, with amazing leadership and talented co-workers ready and focused on achieving 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.

Visit these links to watch our recruitment video to find out more about our agency and see what our employees say about why Revenue is a great place to work.

Please review the opportunity details below and forward this message to others you feel may be qualified.

Duties

As a Tax Review Officer (Tax Policy Specialist 2), you will manage an active caseload of tax disputes, hear and resolve taxpayers' petitions for review of the department's actions, and respond to taxpayers' petitions in writing. Cases cover a variety of complex and interesting tax laws that provide you with opportunities to research and educate taxpayers on how the law is applied.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting Brief Adjudicative Proceedings to review the department's initial orders and issuing the final agency decision as an independent fact finder.
• Conducting informal administrative reviews of petitions for correction of tax assessments, refund denials, and adverse interpretive rulings.
• Analyzing, reviewing, and providing technical, legal, and policy recommendations regarding the proposed guidance the department is considering.

Salary

• $5,011 - $7,779/month

Qualifications

Depending on experience level, successful candidates may be hired as a Tax Policy Specialist 2 or as a Tax Policy Specialist 2 In-training.

The required qualifications are key competencies that have been successfully demonstrated through experience or education. To join our team, you must possess the following competencies:

Written Communication:

Organize the flow of information in a document or decision so that facts or ideas build upon one another logically to lead the reader to a specific conclusion. Write clear and concise legal documents that reflect current law and contain succinct nature of action statements, contain accurate issue statements, make findings of fact based on the evidence, and apply the facts to the law to reach correct legal conclusions.

Verbal Skills:

Effectively translate complex, technical, or legal concepts into messages that lay persons can readily understand. Explains or presents information in a clear, concise, logical manner that achieves understanding of the intended message.

Interpersonal Skills:

Work cooperatively to share legal and technical expertise. Work cooperatively with other team members to achieve team goals and contribute to group solutions through constructive feedback, ideas, and suggestions. Facilitate the open exchange of ideas and information among team members.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with agency executives, managers, staff, taxpayers, legal and accounting professionals, and external partners.
• Build and maintain professional relationships to facilitate the resolution of complex tax issues and support the Department’s mission and objectives.

Accountability and Caseload Management.

Ethics and Professionalism.

Hearing Skills.

Research Skills.

Negotiation Skills.

Technical Proficiency in electronic workflow, case management, and video conferencing platforms.

Stress Management and Resilience.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning.

Legal/Licensure:

• Admission to practice law in Washington or before the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, or a federally recognized tribe.
• For candidates who don’t yet meet this competency, admission to practice law within 12 months of hire.

Preference may be granted to any candidate with a combination of professional experience or education, such as:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• For current or past employees of DOR: one year as a Tax Policy Specialist 1; or any applicant: two years of experience as:
  • A hearings examiner in a governmental agency.
  • An assistant attorney general.
  • A practicing attorney.

Note - An LL.M or master's degree in taxation or a closely allied field will substitute for one year of experience.

To be considered for this position:

• Complete your online application in detail, as it will be used as your initial resume.
• Attach a cover letter explaining how you meet the qualifications of this position, and why you are interested in it.
• Attach a legal writing sample.

* Note - Incomplete applications or applications received without these materials may be disqualified.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference, please attach your DD-214, member 4 long form, or your NGB-22. Please blackout your social security number and date of birth before attaching.

Questions?

Hello, my name is Patrick, and I will be assisting with this announcement. As a 20-year Army veteran, I understand the difficulty in finding an enjoyable career with a work-life balance. At Revenue, we pride ourselves on connecting talented individuals with opportunity and would like to answer any questions you have. Please contact any part of the Staffing team at Jobs@dor.wa.gov or give me a call (360) 704-5738.
Other Information

The Human Resource Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Department of Revenue and the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).

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.

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.

If you need help during the application process, please call the Human Resources Office at 360-704-5731. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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 07-21-2025