Salary: $6,870.00 - $9,246.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-173
Department: Dept. of Revenue
Division: Administrative Review and Hearings Division
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
This opportunity is only open to Department of Revenue Employees.

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 3). This position will hold hearings to gather facts, research relevant cases and authority, and issue decisions consistent with Washington State law and department policy.

Duties

As a Tax Review Officer (Tax Policy Specialist 3), you will manage an active caseload of tax disputes, hear and resolve 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. You will also engage in tax policy development to achieve consistency and fairness in tax administration.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting informal administrative reviews of petitions for correction of tax assessments, refund denials, and adverse interpretive rulings.
• Presiding over mainstream, executive, and small claims hearings and drafting determinations.
• Recommending, referring, or negotiating the settlement of some cases.
• Analyzing, reviewing, and providing technical legal and policy recommendations regarding proposed guidance the department is considering.
• Representing the department in informal excise tax appeals before the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals, a separate state agency.

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.

Communication Skills:
Proven ability to write clear, concise, and legally sound documents using IRAC/CRAC/CREAC writing formats, 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 work cooperatively and constructively with others, shown by experience assertively defending positions with civility and a spirit of collaboration.

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.

Fact-finding Skills:
Demonstrated ability to maintain impartiality and ensure parties are fully heard, supported by progressive experience in effectively gathering and documenting relevant information, recognizing information gaps in cases, and appropriately questioning parties to evaluate soundness of arguments.

Research:
Proven ability to conduct comprehensive legal research through experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, and other guidance, to analyze complex issues, reach sound conclusions, and make informed decisions even with limited data while knowing when additional guidance is required.

Technical Proficiency:
Demonstrated proficiency using electronic legal research tools, document management systems, and digital communication platforms gained through experience retrieving and processing case materials and ensuring effective communication and procedural efficiency in hearings.

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.

Advocacy and Negotiation Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively represent a client's interests before a court, tribunal, arbiter, or other decisionmaker, or in negotiations with opposing parties, gained through experience with litigation and settlements.

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.
• Three 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 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 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.

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

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 (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 (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 fo