Public Service Coordinator II

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) Commissioner’s Office is now hiring a Taxpayer Advocate and Experience Officer (Officer) to join their team. The Officer is an unclassified employee of the DAFS Maine Revenue Services (MRS), reporting directly to the Commissioner. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) consists of ten bureaus, other direct report offices, boards, and commissions, and more than 1,200 employees serving the public and all three branches of state government. The Department has a broad range of responsibilities. We serve as the principal fiscal advisor to the Governor, prepare the state budget, coordinate the financial planning and programing activities of state agencies, and advise the Maine Legislature on the financial statutes of state government. Maine Revenue Services is a bureau within DAFS, with the mission to fairly and efficiently administer the State's tax laws with integrity and professionalism.

Requirements

Ability to work independently and to deal professionally with taxpayers, the public, stakeholder groups, tax professionals, legislators, the Administration, and employees throughout MRS.
Strong project management and teamwork skills.
Knowledge of Maine and federal tax law, guidance publications, and procedures.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of tax administration.
Strong ability to track, analyze, and evaluate legislative and administrative changes to tax benefit programs for individuals from a program detail and tax policy perspective.
Strong research, writing, and oral presentation skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Knowledge of the legislative process.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution or four (4) years of equivalent post-secondary education, training, and/or professional level experience in tax administration or directly related fields.

Nice To Haves

Candidates who possess two or more years of experience working in a high-level tax policy environment.
Candidates with strong tax administration experience.
Candidates with work experience in the legislative and legal fields.
While the Officer need not be an attorney, licensed attorneys are encouraged to apply.
Knowledge of and experience with income tax benefit programs for individuals.

Responsibilities

Assist taxpayers in resolving tax problems by establishing a best contact within MRS to review the taxpayer’s issues, facilitating speedy resolution when possible, and explaining reconsideration and appeals options, if available
Assist individual taxpayers navigate tax benefit programs, and provide proactive outreach to stakeholder advocacy groups, Legislators and other interested parties by describing available tax benefit programs and assisting with simplified access
Identify and propose administrative changes to mitigate problems in accessing tax benefit programs and propose any recommended legislative changes in the annual report to Executive Branch and Legislature
Directly respond to taxpayers who have contacted the Office directly or through the Office of the Governor or DAFS Commissioner’s Office, evaluating the tax issues and relevant timing, providing a “best contact” with MRS to promptly address the taxpayer’s concerns, explaining the process paths, and facilitating resolution when possible.
Provide outreach to taxpayers, stakeholder groups, and other interested parties regarding tax benefit programs for individuals.
Identify trends in taxpayer issues and recommend changes to administrative practices or tax law provisions to improve taxpayer understanding, engagement with the tax system, and access to tax benefit programs.
Provide recommendations to the Governor’s Office, DAFS Commissioner, MRS senior managers and others regarding tax law and administrative practices.
Prepare an Annual Report of the Office.
Present materials at tax-related conferences regarding taxpayer assistance and access to tax benefit programs.
Completing a study and special report to the Legislature with findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, relating to the use of state tax credits available to individuals. The study will include the current use of state tax credits by individuals, current practices by large tax preparation firms with respect to offering state tax credits to individuals, the role of state government in promoting public awareness of individual state credits, and the current practices of municipalities related to promoting awareness of individual state tax credits and tax relief programs.

Benefits

Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary.
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 18.91% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness.