Salary: $69,744.00 - $93,804.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Licensing
Division: Business and Professions
Opening Date: 05/19/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Our Prorate and Fuel Tax Services section within the Business and Professions Division (BPD) is currently recruiting for three (3) Investigators to join the Fuel Tax Discovery Unit. In this role, investigators assess and conduct investigations into industry complaints, while also providing education and support to our customers.

Do you have a knack for independent report writing and strong attention to detail? If so, read on!

Duties
As an Investigator, you will independently conduct complex reviews of fuel-related operations through investigative analysis, evaluation, and excise tax examination to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with Washington fuel tax laws. You will gather and analyze information from interviews, financial data, fuel records, and supporting documentation; conduct field reviews of fuel use, storage, transportation, and sales locations; and examine returns, refund claims, invoices, and related records to identify discrepancies and determine tax liability.

In this role, you will evaluate accounts for unregistered/unlicensed activity, unusual reporting patterns, and potential noncompliance; prepare clear, concise reports; and communicate professionally with businesses, complainants, respondents, and partner agencies. Additionally, you will educate customers to support voluntary compliance, collaborate with team members on coordinated reviews, strengthen and expand your investigative and research expertise, and participate in administrative hearings when needed.

Some of what you will do:

• Independently plan and conduct complex and sensitive investigations by accurately gathering, analyzing, and interpreting written and oral statements, legal documents, and related evidence.
• Conduct on-site and remote inspections and certifications of licensees to ensure compliance with statutory place of business requirements for multiple business types.
• Perform detailed examinations and audits of business records to evaluate compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Communicate timely, courteously, and effectively with complainants, respondents, witnesses, program staff, business partners, and other government agencies.
• Prepare for and provide truthful testimony during administrative hearings as needed.
• Provide technical assistance to licensees under the direction of management.

Qualifications
What you will bring:

• Four (4) years of relevant experience as an Investigator, Auditor, or Tax Examiner with a criminal justice agency, private organization, or any other directly related field including three (3) years of field experience.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as an Investigator 2.

Experience can be obtained concurrently.

Two (2) years of relevant education may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
Experience must include:

• Two (2) years of the following:
  
  • Using advanced analytical skills and a full range of investigative techniques.
  • Interpreting laws, rules, regulations or policy in the course of investigatory duties or enforcement.
  • Using computer software to create, modify, and format Word documents and spreadsheets, find data and work with basic formulas and functions.
  • Composing correspondence in a professional manner.
  • Providing customer service and industry awareness to customers and partners by interpreting laws, regulations and standards.
• 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:

• Experience independently prioritizing and managing multiple assignments while adapting to shifting priorities and maintaining consistent, timely performance.
• Experience influencing others daily through enthusiasm, modeling professional behavior, peer motivation around team and organizational values.
• Experience working with federal, state, and other jurisdictional fuel tax and registration law.
• Knowledge of the guidelines and requirements of both the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plan (IRP).
• Familiarity with industry and customer records, including the ability to review and interpret documentation.
• Knowledge of the fuel or interstate trucking industries.

Additional conditions of employment:

• Must have the ability to travel in Washington state up to 10% of the time, including overnight stays at times.
• This position requires a minimum in-office presence every Wednesday and Thursday at our Olympia, WA location, with the possibility of additional in-office days to meet training requirements.
• Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment screening that includes a criminal record history check will be conducted. These findings may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

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

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

• Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
• Attach the following:
  
  • Cover Letter

Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions and attachments, 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 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 NoticeTo take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference notify the Talent Acquisition Team of your vet/military spouse status. Please include the title of this position in the subject line.


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 accrual