ES Benefit Specialist 3- UI-Tax and Wage Specialist

State Of Washington

Job Location:

Thurston County, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 60132 - 80820

Posted on: 2 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

This posting has been extended to allow additional qualified applicants more time to submit their applications. If you previously applied there is no need to resubmit your application. Thank you.

The new closing date is May 20 2026 at 11:59 PM

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking passionate detail-oriented and analytical professionals to join our team as ES Benefits Specialist 3 (Tax and Wage Specialists) in the Tax and Wage Division. This is an opportunity to use your skills to support Washingtons workforce strengthen our communities and make a meaningful difference every day. If youre inspired by work that has real impact we encourage you to review the full posting and submit your application.

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in complexityan investigator problem-solver and trusted technical resource. You bring strong judgment financial acumen and the ability to interpret and apply statute with confidence. You communicate clearly with employers and representatives navigate ambiguity with composure and take pride in ensuring the integrity of Washingtons Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. You are collaborative adaptable and committed to equitable accurate service for employers and claimants.

As an ES Benefits Specialist 3 (Tax and Wage Specialist) you will perform senior-level unemployment insurance tax work across multiple Tax and Wage units supporting statewide operations wherever workload demands. Your work ensures that employers are properly registered accurately reporting wages and paying the correct UI taxescritical functions that protect the UI Trust Fund and support timely accurate benefit payments. You will research complex account issues validate financial data interpret Title 50 statutes and provide expert guidance to employers reporting agents and internal partners.

NOTE: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.

Duties

In this role you will administer a wide range of UI tax programs conduct in-depth financial and statutory analysis and resolve complex tax wage and liability issues. You will review and adjust employer wage reports determine employer liability validate refunds and waivers investigate potential fraud and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. You will also serve as a technical resource for employer tax liability experience rating benefit charging and account maintenance helping employers understand their obligations and supporting accurate reporting across the system.

Some of what you will do:

Review and adjust employer wage reports; validate tax penalty interest and reporting accuracy
Research and process payments and reports with invalid or mismatched account information
Validate calculate and recommend approval/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 to employers representatives and internal staff on UI tax liability reporting requirements and compliance

To request a detailed position description click here.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Six(6) years of equivalent education/experience below

Option 2:

One (1)year as an ES Benefits Specialist 2

Option 3:

One (1)year of experience equivalent to an ES Benefits Specialist 2 with another state that administers tax programs.

Option 4:

An Associates degree in a health or social science public administration or are related field and
Four (4)years of the required experience below.

Option 5:

Bachelors Degree in a health or social science public administration or a related fieldand
Two(2) years of the required experiencebelow.

Option 6:

Masters degree in a health or social science public administration or a related field
One(1)year of the required experience below.

AND

A minimum of 12 semesters or 18 quarter hours of college-level accounting

Note: Only accounting courses transferable to a Washington State degree granting institution will be acceptable as equivalent 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:

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)
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.
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 requirement.
Wage Report Monitoring & Issue Resolution Skills: Ability to identify and address reporting errors.
Premium Recovery & Estimation Expertise: Ability to resolve unpaid premium issues accurately.
Adaptability & Multitasking Skills: Flexibility to manage varied responsibilities.

Additional Requirements of Employment:

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

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.

Additionally we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter and Transcripts with your Online Application through the Add Attachmentsfield. A resume will not substitute for the work experience section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as see attachments may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Ouragencys 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; thats 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 contactCheyenne Pernitesor or the Talent AcquisitionTeamor WashingtonRelay Service 711 priorto the recruitment closing.If you arehaving technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please contact or or toll free Washington Relay 711.

**This Organization Participates in E-Verify**

Required Experience:

DescriptionThis posting has been extended to allow additional qualified applicants more time to submit their applications. If you previously applied there is no need to resubmit your application. Thank you.The new closing date is May 20 2026 at 11:59 PMThe Employment Security Department (ESD) is see...