ES Benefit Specialist 3: Tax Accounting Unit/Hybrid

This position is mainly virtual but may be required to come into the office for occasional trainings and meetings as requested.

The ideal candidate for the ES Benefit Specialist 3 role in our Tax Accounting Unit is a seasoned professional with strong analytical skills, deep familiarity with unemployment insurance tax programs, and a commitment to accuracy in all financial and reporting activities.

They excel at reviewing complex employer tax and wage information, resolving discrepancies, and performing detailed audits that ensure compliance with state laws and agency policies. Their work reflects a high level of fiscal responsibility and contributes directly to maintaining a healthy unemployment insurance trust fund.

This candidate demonstrates sound judgment when evaluating refund and waiver requests, often requiring careful manual calculations and interpretation of nuanced regulatory requirements. They are comfortable navigating intricate issues such as predecessor/successor relationships, interstate wage verification, and potential tax avoidance behaviors. They thrive in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and consistently deliver precise, timely results that support the agency’s operational excellence. Equally important, the ideal candidate is an effective communicator who provides clear, authoritative guidance to employers, representatives, and internal partners. They are skilled at explaining complex laws, advising on proper reporting practices, and supporting appeals through thorough research and documentation. Their professionalism, integrity, and customer‑focused approach help strengthen trust with the business community while advancing the agency’s mission to promote economic security and equitable access to essential services.

Process employer tax and wage audits and amendments to comply with Title 50. This includes:

• Review wage file adjustments when wage information is reported by employers and/or their representative. Verify and adjust quarterly reports out of balance and validate tax, penalties, and interest
• Research and process payment and reports received with invalid account information. It is vital for the Benefit specialist to be vigilant in recognizing the EIN submitted on the employer’s report matches the agencies tax system
• Validate and recommend waiver requests requires in-depth knowledge of policies and Title 50 statutes. This may require manual calculations

Ensure employer liability compliance under Title 50. This includes:

• Corresponds with and advises taxpayers on proper reporting and interpretations of laws, using a thorough knowledge of laws and department policies
• Work jointly with other units and employers as needed to correct and report tax and wage information accurately
• Provide authoritative information to written and telephone inquiries received from employers and/or their representatives concerning tax liability, penalties, and/or interest or credit balance

Educate and provide technical assistance to employers, internal and external stakeholders. This includes:

• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders such as ESD and other governmental/non‑governmental entities, claimants, employers, and employer representatives
• Explain appeal rights and applicable laws and policies
• Explain, interpret, and apply complex RCWs and WACs related to Title 50

Required qualifications

• 6 years of equivalent education/experience of the required experience below
• OR 1 year as an ES Benefits Specialist 2
• OR 1 year of experience equivalent to the ES Benefits Specialist 2 with another state that administers tax programs
• OR An associate’s degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND 4 years of the required experience below
• OR Bachelor’s Degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND 2 years of the required experience below
• OR A master’s degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND 1 year of the required experience below
• A minimum of 12 semesters or 18 quarter hours of college‑level accounting

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others

The required experience includes:

• Adaptability & Multitasking Skills: Flexibility to manage varied responsibilities
• Data Analysis: to verify calculations, attention to detail to ensure accuracy, regulatory knowledge to comply with laws, problem‑solving to resolve discrepancies, and communication skills to report findings
• Employer Outreach & Compliance Promotion Skills: Proficiency in advising on program requirements
• Premium Recovery & Estimation Expertise: Ability to resolve unpaid premium issues accurately
• Technical proficiency to navigate the accounting system: Attention to detail to ensure accuracy, decision‑making to approve or reject requests, problem‑solving to resolve discrepancies, and communication skills to coordinate with stakeholders
• Wage Report Monitoring & Issue Resolution Skills: Ability to identify and address reporting errors
• Working Knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices: the analysis and reporting of financial data including GAAP and GAAS (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards)

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253‑306‑2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact or or toll free (877) 664‑1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

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