Revenue Specialist

City of Lakewood•Lakewood, CO

About The Position

The Revenue Specialist processes tax returns and payments, reviews license applications, balances daily cash and reconciles batches, and manages business correspondence. The position provides professional, frontline customer service to businesses, agents, contractors, the public, and City staff, and resolves questions and issues related to reporting taxes and fees, including Sales, Use, Accommodation, B&O, Cable, Gas & Electric, PEG, and PIF accounts. The role identifies businesses that may be out of compliance, researches account and tax information, reviews applicable tax requirements, and carries out collection activity for unpaid taxes as needed. The Revenue Specialist communicates with taxpayers in person, by phone, and in writing; provides information about tax laws, procedures, and liabilities; and maintains positive, customer-service-oriented relationships with businesses and the public. The position receives supervision from the Revenue Supervisor and general guidance from the Lead. It has no supervisory responsibilities. The hiring range is $32.36–$35.96 per hour; a separate pay range is listed as $27.66–$35.96. The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace and describes its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Background and reference checks are required; a credit check is also required for this position.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three years of accounting, secretarial, clerical, or technical work involving substantial public contact, practical use of computer software, and work with numbers.
Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to interact positively with others and exercise sound professional judgment.
Ability to understand, analyze, and apply basic accounting procedures, including sales invoicing, purchasing, disbursements, and other operating procedures used to determine sales and use tax and PIF liability.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with taxpayers and their representatives, coworkers, supervisors, other government agencies, and the public.
Good writing and presentation skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain composure when working with frustrated, angry, or upset people.
Flexibility and creative problem-solving skills.
Ability to transport oneself to off-site locations.
Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.
Must meet the stated light-work demands: exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, with negligible force constantly to move objects.
Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position items from all levels up to 30 pounds, with or without assistance.
Reference, background, and credit checks are required.

Nice To Haves

College-level coursework in Business or a related field.
One year of work experience involving current regulatory, tax, and/or PIF revenue collections for a governmental agency, nonprofit corporation, or business.

Responsibilities

Provide detailed, accurate, and timely information to businesses.
Handle and process City tax returns and diagnose filing errors.
Reconcile returns and schedules with bank receipts and files.
Prepare bank deposits of over-the-counter payments and reconcile the cash box.
Alert audit staff to filing discrepancies and taxability issues.
Respond to phone and in-person inquiries about licensing requirements, tax and PIF rates, filing requirements, and general tax and PIF information.
Review license applications and renewals for completeness; establish approved businesses in the revenue system with appropriate filing frequency and tax account types; and prepare and mail new business licenses with supporting documents.
Review exempt license applications, including pertinent information, and provide first-level approval; research exemption information through the IRS and the City’s Sales and Use Tax Ordinance as needed.
Verify new and terminated accounts and complete status change notices as appropriate.
Process refund requests.
Calculate assessments, including late penalties and interest; contact delinquent taxpayers about late payments and assessments; and perform collection procedures to obtain taxes.
Conduct on-site field collections for delinquent taxpayers with outstanding tax filings or payments.
Complete appropriate write-ups for liquor license compliance and other sales/use tax accounts as needed.
Confer with taxpayers and the public in person, by telephone, and in writing, providing information on tax laws, procedures, and liabilities.
Assist businesses and the public with questions and complaints, while maintaining positive, service-oriented relationships.
Maintain current knowledge of business activity in the City.
Report to parties of PIF Agreements.
Plan, organize, and conduct audits as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.