Taxpayer Services - Revenue Service Specialist 1 at State of Iowa – Des Moines, Iowa

The Iowa Department of Revenue’s Alcohol & Tax Operations Division is currently seeking a Revenue Service Specialist 1 to join the Taxpayer Services team. The Operations Division functions as the central hub for both alcohol and tax-related processes and procedures. This division is responsible for administering the transportation and distribution of wholesale alcoholic liquor to more than 2,000 privately-owned retailers across Iowa, ensuring they are delivered on time and in good condition. Additionally, this division manages tax documents, payments and mail, as well as offering invaluable assistance to taxpayers for filing requirements and procedures.

This position is within our Taxpayer Services team, fully onsite at the Hoover building in Des Moines, interacting with the public regarding tax questions and various inquiries to the Department.

Duties in this position will include:

• Assist and advise taxpayers in meeting their Iowa tax obligations. This assistance is entry-level, technical, and covers a narrow range of detailed tax information, as well as, certain elements of a wider range of tax types.
• Interview taxpayers to determine their tax situation.
• Determine the level of technical or system assistance needed and take appropriate steps to resolve issues such as login errors, password resets, and relaying refund/billing amounts, and general tax information.
• Consult with taxpayers in the preparation of tax returns by answering simple inquiries and escalating more complex inquiries to a Taxpayer Services Specialist 2 or 3, or to the appropriate Department of Revenue contact.
• Provide support to the front desk and walk-in customers.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the following:

• Principles and processes for providing customer service and the ability to identify issues and explain various courses of action
• Analysis and reporting of financial and tax information
• Responding to inquiries and communication via phone, email, and in person
• Ability to identify issues and explain various courses of action for resolution

Job Specific Competencies:

• Customer Service - principles and processes for providing customer services, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluating customer satisfaction
• Communication and comprehensions skills
• Knowledge of business, accounting, and office practices and procedures

Employer Highlights:

The Iowa Department of Revenue is a well-respected employer. We are focused on providing excellent customer service, while offering a wonderful team atmosphere, work-life balance, free parking, and casual attire. We have a great total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)

• Retirement Investors Club (RIC)

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Vacation Leave

• Sick Leave

• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance

• Long-Term Disability Insurance

The mission of the Iowa Department of Revenue is to serve Iowans through the responsible collection and generation of revenue to support the public good. If you’re looking for a career with an organization that values its employees and customers, you’ve come to the right place.

Applicants must live within the State of Iowa to qualify for this position.

A background check, including a criminal history check, fingerprint and Iowa tax filing check, will be conducted on the final candidate.

Effective July 1st, 2025, all Department of Revenue staff and their household will not be able to play any Iowa Lottery games.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in any field.

2) A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience in tax, accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, insurance, analysis of financial or business forms and data, or answering technical or tax-related questions.

3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work in tax, accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, insurance, analysis of financial or business forms and data, or answering technical or tax-related questions.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.