ES Benefit Specialist 3- UI-Tax and Wage Specialist

Overview

A government agency in Thurston County, Olympia, WA is seeking an ES Benefits Specialist 3 (Tax and Wage Specialist) to join their Employment Security Department within the Unemployment Insurance division. This is a full-time, permanent position with flexible/hybrid remote work options. The salary range is $60,132 to $80,820 annually, with the higher end reflecting longevity steps.

Responsibilities

• Perform senior-level unemployment insurance tax work across multiple Tax and Wage units statewide.
• Ensure employers are properly registered, accurately reporting wages, and paying correct UI taxes.
• Research complex account issues, validate financial data, and interpret Title 50 statutes.
• Provide expert guidance to employers, reporting agents, and internal partners.
• Review and adjust employer wage reports; validate tax, penalty, interest, and reporting accuracy.
• Process payments and reports with invalid or mismatched account information.
• Validate, calculate, and recommend approval or denial of refund and waiver requests.
• Conduct audits and investigations to ensure accurate wage reporting, employer liability, and statutory compliance.
• Determine employer liability under Title 50; establish, reinstate, or inactivate employer accounts.
• Collect delinquent UI taxes and wage reports; conduct complex collection and compliance investigations.
• Research and adjust tax rates, benefit charges, and experience rating impacts, including predecessor/successor and PEO relationships.
• Investigate and resolve employer billing issues, reporting discrepancies, and account maintenance needs.
• Review financial documents and wage information for accuracy, compliance, and potential fraud; verify earnings for blocked benefit claims.
• Submit tax and wage adjustments to support claim determinations, audits, and system corrections.
• Establish and maintain employer accounts, including UBI, FEIN, business structure, payment method, and PEO status updates.
• Provide expert technical assistance on UI tax liability, reporting requirements, and compliance.

Requirements

Education and Experience Options (must include minimum 12 semesters or 18 quarter hours of college-level accounting transferable to a Washington State degree granting institution):

• Six (6) years of equivalent education/experience.
• One (1) year as an ES Benefits Specialist 2.
• One (1) year of experience equivalent to ES Benefits Specialist 2 with another state administering tax programs.
• Associate degree in health/social science, public administration, or related field plus four (4) years of required experience.
• Bachelor's degree in health/social science, public administration, or related field plus two (2) years of required experience.
• Master's degree in health/social science, public administration, or related field plus one (1) year of required experience.

Required Experience Includes:

• Working knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices, including GAAP and GAAS.
• Technical proficiency with accounting systems, attention to detail, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Data analysis skills to verify calculations, ensure accuracy, comply with regulations, and report findings.
• Employer outreach and compliance promotion skills.
• Wage report monitoring and issue resolution skills.
• Premium recovery and estimation expertise.
• Adaptability and multitasking abilities.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud checks.
• Required equity competencies: ability to learn and grow, and to meet the needs of others.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical (including vision), dental, and basic life insurance coverage for employees and families.
• Multiple medical plans with affordable premiums.
• Medical flexible spending account for health care expenses.
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance with options for additional coverage.
• Dependent care assistance program.
• Optional insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renters through payroll deduction.
• Employee Assistance Program promoting health and well-being.
• Membership in Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) with employer contributions.
• Deferred Compensation Program for supplemental retirement savings.
• Coverage under federal Social Security and Medicare.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Paid holidays and one personal holiday per calendar year.
• Sick leave accrual of eight hours per month for full-time employees.
• Vacation leave accrual based on hours worked and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Paid military leave of 21 days per year.
• Paid bereavement leave of five days for family or household member death or pregnancy loss.
• Additional leave options including leave sharing, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and leave without pay.

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, Washington

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and transcripts. Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers must be removed. Photographs and external links should not be included. Applications with incomplete fields or responses referencing attachments may be considered incomplete.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. The organization encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.