Tax Information Specialist 1 - Kent- Spanish Speaking

About the Department

¿Hablas, lees y escribes español con fluidez? (Are you fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish?) It is required that this position interacts with Spanish-speaking claimants in writing and over the phone. Your ability to read, write, and speak Spanish will earn you an additional 5% assignment pay! 

The official duty station for this position is Kent, WA. When business needs allow, we do allow employees to work from home, with prior supervisor approval. Full details of schedule options will be discussed during interviews.

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

The salary listed for this position does not include the 5% premium pay for positions based in King County.   

Position Duties

• Opening accounts and issuing Unified Business Identifier numbers for new businesses, collecting application fees and assisting with working family tax credit applications. 
• Completing Use Tax Declarations and Use Tax Returns by determining eligibility for exemptions or assessment of Use Tax on motor vehicles, vessels, and aircraft.
• Receiving, recording and accounting for monies and checks received in payment of tax returns, tax warrants, invoices and applications.
• Filing legal documents with courts.

• Possess critical use of customer service skills with an expert ability to prioritize and resolve numerous situations simultaneously.
• Become proficient in state tax laws and rules to advise customers on their rights and responsibilities as a taxpayer.
• Identify a customer's issue, and quickly be able to find a logical way to assist the customer.

Minimum Qualifications

The required qualifications are key competencies that you can successfully demonstrate through any combination of experience or education. To join our team, you must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies listed below:

Proven ability to compose clear, concise, and grammatically correct written communication, in both English and Spanish, developed through preparing customer correspondence, case notes, reports, or other professional written work. 

Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both English and Spanish over the telephone and in person for extended periods, supported by experience assisting customers, clients, or the public in a service environment.

Progressive experience providing authoritative information or guidance to customers, taxpayers, or the public, reflecting strong verbal communication skills and the ability to adjust tone, pace, and language for diverse audiences. 

Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex state tax laws, rules, and policies, gained through experience researching statutory or regulatory requirements in a customer service, regulatory, tax administration, or similar environment. 

Demonstrated skill in researching issues using multiple sources such as laws, rules, advisories, online databases, or internal systems to independently resolve complex customer questions or problems. 

Proven ability to handle challenging or emotionally charged interactions with professionalism and empathy, supported by experience de-escalating conversations and clarifying issues with upset, confused, or uncooperative individuals. 

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders; such as business owners, attorneys, accountants, and other government staff, gained through professional experience requiring cooperative problem-solving and information exchange. 

Progressive experience organizing and prioritizing work in a fast-paced environment, showing the ability to remain focused, manage interruptions, and respond to changing demands or assigned call queues. 

Demonstrated proficiency using computer systems, databases, and online research tools to access, update, or document account information, obtained through prior administrative, customer service, or technical support work. 

Demonstrated ability to adhere to confidentiality, ethics requirements, and fiscal accountability standards such as accurate data entry, error recognition, and compliance with internal controls, gained through work involving sensitive information or financial data. 

Demonstrated knowledge of cash-handling procedures and internal controls, including receipting, reconciling, preparing deposits, and safeguarding funds, supported by experience using financial systems.

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

Preference may be granted to those who possess any of the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, accounting, public finance, or a closely allied field, AND one year of professional experience in tax administration, tax auditing, or tax collection (additional qualifying experience may substitute, year for year, for education).
• Three years as a Tax Service Representative.

To be considered

• Please complete your online profile in detail, because it will serve as your initial resume.
• Please attach a letter of interest describing your specific competencies for this position.
• Provide three professional references.

This position functions within a fast-paced, complex environment in which interpersonal and self-management skills and communication are essential. Throughout our selection process, we will also be evaluating candidates for behavioral attributes and technical skills to succeed in this environment. 

Questions?

Hello, my name is Lance and I will be assisting with this announcement. As a 20-year Department of Revenue employee, I understand the importance of finding a rewarding 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 [email protected] or give me a call (360) 704-5725.

Other Qualifications

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

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

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