Excise Tax Examiner (ETE2)

About the Department

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

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

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 Section within our Business & Professions Division (BPD) is currently recruiting for three (3) Excise Tax Examiners (ETE2). These positions will provide expertise in tax review, customer service and education within our Motor Carrier Services or Fuel Tax & Unlicensed Refunds units.

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 enjoy digging into the details, using your analytical skills to uncover answers, and taking initiative to help a team achieve its goals, we encourage you to read on.

Position Duties

As an Excise Tax Examiner, you will independently examine and evaluate applications, tax returns, refund requests, financial records, and account activity to determine eligibility, accuracy, compliance, and the appropriate tax. You will interpret and apply state laws, administrative rules, interstate agreements, and program requirements while exercising delegated authority to approve routine licensing, registration, and refund actions. This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys focused, detail-oriented work, including from routine processing to longer-term research that requires a deep dive into records and data. You will also communicate with customers and partner organizations to gather information, explain requirements, and resolve discrepancies. Success in this hybrid team requires sound judgment, initiative, curiosity, and clear communication across online channels.

Some of what you will do:

• Examine tax returns and refund requests to verify eligibility, supporting documentation, and the appropriate tax liability or refund amount.
• Review and process license applications and commercial vehicle registrations using state and federal systems to confirm accuracy and determine eligibility.
• Research and reconcile financial records, account activity, and large data sets to identify discrepancies and ensure accurate reporting and revenue distribution.
• Provide customers with guidance and individualized assistance related to applications, tax filings, refunds, and program requirements by phone, email, mail, or in person.
• Prepare supporting analysis and recommendations for complex or high-impact matters requiring management review and final determination.
• Coordinate with internal teams, partner agencies, other jurisdictions, and licensees to gather information and resolve account issues.

Minimum Qualifications

What you will bring to the role:

• Two (2) years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, compliance, or tax administration.

OR

• One (1) year as an Excise Tax Examiner 1.

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant area of education (business or public administration, law, public health, health administration or closely allied field) may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Experience Must Include:

• One (1) year of performing intermediate to complex accounting, data and analysis; this includes compiling, reconciling, and analyzing large quantities of data.
• Two (2) years of listening attentively, identifying issues, fulfilling services, or exercising knowledge of laws and regulations to provide technical assistance or resolution to stakeholders.
• Two (2) years of using computer programs to write documents, send emails, edit spreadsheets, share presentations, take notes, and meet with people virtually.
• 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.

Experience may be obtained concurrently.

What may help set you apart:

• Experience communicating complex information to others to help them learn, understand, and apply specific principles, techniques, or information.
• Understanding of the legislative and political environments and processes including working on legislative and rulemaking efforts while interpreting and assessing impacts.
• Completion of at least 12 semester (or 18 quarter) hours of college-level accounting, auditing, finance, or economics.
• Experience applying federal and state laws in the release of public records within specific timeframes including record retention and archiving with existing records management.

Additional conditions of employment:

• This position requires in-office work every Wednesday and Thursday. Additional in-office time will be required during initial training. Depending on the assigned business area, employees may also be required to work additional in-office days on a rotating basis to meet business and customer service needs.
• 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 ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. 
 

Other Qualifications

How to Apply:

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

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.
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 [email protected]. 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

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov