TAXPAYER INFORMATION SPECIALIST 3

The Taxpayer Information Specialist 3 will represent the Taxpayer Information & Assistance SRO Team by serving as the second-tier customer service representative for both in-person and online taxpayers. This role will be responsible for providing intermediate-level and accurate information to taxpayer inquiries and/or triaging taxpayers to senior team members for assistance.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Taxpayer Information and Assistance Processing:

• Technical review of taxpayer returns and records to determine validity of the information and/or make corrections
  
• Accurate interpretation and advisement of tax law, rules, and procedures to assist taxpayers with their specific needs
  Thorough research of taxpayer information, applicable statutes/rulings, and policies to determine and establish appropriate billings, adjustments,
• and/or refunds
  
• Determine and follow an action plan for the resolution of taxpayer inquiries
  
• Process and complete applicable ADOR taxpayer forms pertaining to Individual Income, Corporate Income, Transaction Privilege Tax and Use,
• Withholding, and Bonding and Licensing tax
  
• Perform responses to emails and tickets for refunds and general account assistance

Customer Service:

• Welcomes taxpayers in a professional and courteous manner
  
• Provides intermediate-level, second-tier information to in-person taxpayers and online via Live Chat and emails
  
• Documents taxpayer interactions and/or transactions, and records details of inquiries, complaints or comments, and any actions taken
  
• Refers unresolved customer grievances or inquiries and escalates third-tier taxpayer inquiries and grievances to senior team members
  
• Educating taxpayers in registration and use of department’s business website

Agency/Department Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

• Remains current on all laws, regulations, policies, and best practices related to taxation through regular engagement in activities such as: self-directed research, conferring with other practitioners and technical experts; subscriptions to regulatory/legal/industry newsletters and briefs; membership industry associations and attendance at meetings/events; and or participation in training and others continuing education opportunities.
  
• Actively contributes to team and individual effectiveness through the following: -
  
• Attends staff meetings and huddles of work unit or district; and may cascade and track information as indicated
  
• Completes all required training in a timely manner.
  
• Participates in assigned work teams as appropriate.
  
• May complete periodic metrics, projects, huddle boards and reports as requested.
  
• Prepares for and actively participates in 1:1 coaching with supervisor
  
• Maximizes work processes and deliverables through lean principles within the Arizona Management System (AMS); and provides recommendations for process improvement, and engages in continuous improvement efforts as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge/Understanding

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
  
• Intermediate knowledge of state tax statutes, laws, regulations, rules, and policies

Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and active listening skills
  
• Utilizes approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to automate routine tasks, improve productivity, and enhance workflows, while strictly adhering to agency data governance, security policies, and ethical standards regarding FTI and PII.
• Strong customer service skills to include conflict de-escalation and resolution techniques
  
• Strong mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage, and averages
  
• Keyboarding/typing at least 40 wpm and 10-key skills
  
• Effective interpersonal skills and demeanor
  
• Effective organization and time management skills with the ability to make measurable progress on several tasks simultaneously and work in high-pressure situations
  
• Proficient in the use of a PC in a Windows environment; in the use of the Internet; in the use of MS Office Applications such as Outlook, Word and Excel; and in the use of Google Suite applications such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, and Drive

Abilities

• Ability to clear a comprehensive background and clearance process that includes an Arizona tax compliance verification, and a criminal background check through the FBI via level one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
  
• Ability to work a rotating schedule of being in-office and remote work within the state of Arizona
  
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and also participate collaboratively as part of a team
  
• Ability to work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner
  
• Ability to understand and solve problems by applying basic analytical skills to include collecting all the relevant information and data needed to address the problem; organizing, classifying and synthesizing the data into fundamental issues; from the information, identifying the most probable causes of the problem; reducing the information down into manageable components; identifying the logical outcomes from the analyses of the data collected; and, identifying the options and solutions for addressing the problems analyzed
  
• Ability to learn and apply LEAN concepts, principles, and tools
  
• Willingness and ability to embody ADOR’s core values of Do the Right Thing, Commit to Excellence, and Care About One Another
  
  In the course of performing the essential duties one must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
  
  

Education & Experience
Any combination that meets the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA); typical ways KSAs are obtained may include but are not limited to: a High School Diploma (HSD) or General Education Degree (GED), coursework, training, and work experience relevant to the assignment.
Minimum of one year related experience

Experience working in a high production environment
Previous experience with Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma and/or Lean
Previous experience in customer service emphasizing on professionally and courteously serving customers in a fast paced environment
Bilingual in English and Spanish

The final candidate will be required to abide by the the following pre-employment checks:

• Employment Verification and Reference Checks
  
• State and Federal Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting
  
• Arizona Tax Filing Records Check
  
• If applicable, ASEDRA Authorized Driver Identification Check

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The State of Arizona provides a world class comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

• Deferred compensation plan

• Wellness plans

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Infant at Work Program

• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy

• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Top ranked Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) provides 100% employer matched contributions (enrollment eligibility will be effective after 27 weeks of State employment). ASRS provides a lifelong benefit based on years of service earned, or worked, and your ending salary. Learn more about ASRS at: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/new-and-prospective-members.

If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the ADOR Talent Team at ogre.ctr@azdor.gov


*The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.