Policy and Operations Manager (TPS 4)

Salary: $7,399.00 - $9,955.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-196
Department: Dept. of Revenue
Division: Administrative Review and Hearings Division
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

The Department of Revenue's Administrative Review and Hearing Division (ARHD) has a fantastic opportunity for a Policy and Operations Manager (TPS 4) in its Tumwater office. This position is part of a team dedicated to providing a legal review of department decisions; a venue for informal settlement of disputes; and educating the public through precedent-setting decisions. This division serves taxpayers and the mission of the agency by providing timely resolution to all taxpayer disputes; supporting employee development, engagement, and well-being; and engaging in collaborative interagency analysis of tax policy.

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

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 .

Visit to watch our and see 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 Policy and Operations Manager, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring ARHD policies and procedures to ensure the prompt, fair, and efficient resolution of two types of cases: informal excise tax reviews under WAC 458-20-100 (Rule 100) and Administrative Procedures Act (APA) appeals. You will supervise a team of Tax Policy Specialists (TPS) who draft determinations articulating the department's decision in Rule 100 cases, conduct APA hearings and issue final decisions, and present the department's case at informal excise tax hearings before the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively with other policy and operating divisions on special projects.
• Facilitate training programs for department personnel.
• Coordinate special projects to assigned staff.
• Provide tax policy, program administration, budget, and planning recommendations to leadership.
• Assist ARHD's pubic records coordinator in responding to public records requests, litigation holds, and discovery requests.

Qualifications

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:

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.

Washington Tax Knowledge: Demonstrated mastery of Washington tax statutes, rules, excise tax advisories, and related policy documents, with advanced knowledge and skills in policy analysis, developed through progressive experience reviewing draft rules and public guidance and evaluating operational, compliance, and litigation impacts of proposed legislation.

Legal Interpretation: Progressive experience interpreting, applying, and recommending changes to policy, law, or administrative rules, obtained through roles requiring tax law interpretation, legislative implementation, regulatory compliance oversight, or program policy development.

Communication Skills: Proven ability to write clear, concise, and legally sound documents, and explain complex legal or technical concepts in accessible terms to varied audiences, developed through experience providing briefings, pleadings, or memoranda in professional settings.

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.

Accountability and Caseload Management: Proven ability to independently produce high-quality work through progressive experience managing tasks and deadlines effectively, balancing accuracy and timeliness under competing priorities, and maintaining long-term focus by proactively identifying next steps and adjusting actions as needs evolve.

Reviewing and Editing Skills: Proven ability to understand, interpret, and apply the law and review the work of others to provide edits and comments necessary to improve the legal analysis, acquired through experience as a practicing attorney; judicial officer, hearings examiner, administrative law judge or hearing officer; policy analyst; or similar position.

Stress Management and Resilience: Proven ability to maintain professionalism, composure, and sound judgment in high-pressure environments, supported by experience managing competing priorities, adapting to shifting demands, and performing effectively under stressful or time-sensitive conditions.

Developing Others: Demonstrated ability to organize, motivate, lead, and train professional personnel by encouraging participation and promoting cooperation within a team while using varied approaches to meet individual staff needs.

Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to make critical decisions promptly and fairly, and to identify issues that raise policy concerns, communicate those concerns to affected parties, make recommendations, and work with others towards a consistent resolution.

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 to understand the foundational skills, mindsets, and approaches we value and cultivate in our workforce.

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

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• An LL.M or master's degree in taxation.
• Five years of experience as a practicing attorney, assistant attorney general, or hearings examiner in a governmental agency, or
• One year as a Tax Policy Specialist 2.

To be considered

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

*As part of the selection process, those under consideration for an interview will be requested to complete a writing assessment.

*Incomplete applications or applications submitted without the required attachments may result in disqualification*

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 attachment.

Questions?

Hello, my name is Patrick and I will be assisting with this announcement. As a 20-year Army veteran, I understand the difficulty finding an enjoyable career with a work-life balance. At Revenue, we pride ourselves in connecting talented individuals with opportunity and would like to answer any questions you have. Please contact any part of the Staffing team at or give me a call (360) 704-5738.
Supplemental Information
The Human Resource Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

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