Tax Policy Executive

Job Summary:

Under the guidance of the General Counsel, provides critical legal advisory services and support for the development and implementation of the new integrated tax system (ITS) for the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) interfacing with a wide cross-section of teams across the organization (e.g., Audit, License and Registration, Mail Processing, Data Management, Collections, Error Resolution, Customer Service). The role requires a high degree of self-initiative; the ability to be appropriately transparent with staff and management; a high comfort level with using all available technological tools to engage with others, whether oral, visual, or written interaction; and requires a high degree of organizational agility and flexibility based on needs and demands while demonstrating respect, kindness, and empathy toward team members and stakeholders in alignment with the agency's overall mission of serving taxpayers.

Note: This role is contingent upon available funding, which is currently approved for six years.

Please click on the attached job description for a more detailed look at the essential functions of this position.

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 relevant degree from an accredited college or university such as Juris Doctorate Degree ( J.D.), training, coursework, and work experience relevant to the assignment.
-Minimum of 10 years as a licensed attorney having either a mix of private/public sector experience or representation that entailed a high degree of interaction with state and local agencies
-Minimum of 8 years' practice focusing on state and local taxes

Licenses & Certifications
-Active or inactive license to practice law in the State of Arizona or another U.S. state

Knowledge/Understanding
-Extensive knowledge of legal brief and memoranda drafting standards, as well as formal business writing
-Working knowledge of state and local tax statutes, codes, ordinances, regulations, rulings, and procedures (e.g., ARS and Model City Tax Code) for: transaction privilege, use, and related excise taxes; individual and corporate income taxes; real and business personal property taxes; government property lease excise tax; and tobacco and liquor excise taxes
-Working knowledge of the relevant needs of Arizona governmental clients of ADOR's tax administration, collection, and enforcement activities (e.g., legislative and executive agencies; counties; municipalities; special taxing districts)

Skills
-Superb verbal, written, and listening communication skills
-Superb persuasive and expository oral and written communications skills for a variety of audiences
-Strong proficiency in effectively and efficiently reviewing and editing work product for proper grammar, business and legal writing styles, and Bluebook citation format
-Strong interpersonal skills and demeanor
-Effective organization, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines 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, PowerPoint; 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 with a high degree of autonomy and also participate collaboratively as part of a team
-Ability to establish and maintain effective client relationships with staff and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
-Ability to distill legal analyses and objectives into a variety of deliverables (e.g., legislative bill language, presentations, executive summaries)
-Ability to work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner
-Ability to learn to use unfamiliar technological products to accomplish duties and tasks
-Ability to organize and facilitate meetings without support staff and with the use of agendas and, when needed, visual materials/handouts
-Ability to understand and solve problems by applying advanced analytical skills to include collecting, integrating and analyzing all relevant data and information and reduced that information down to manageable components and/or charts, diagrams or graphs; identifying a number of solutions to complex problems integrating findings from several different disciplines, identifying and evaluating the various options developed and selects the most effective solution; drawing logical and objective conclusions from the data and validates them as the prime cause and contributing causes; identifying a number of solutions to the problem by identifying and evaluating the various options developed and selects the most effective solution; and to quickly analyze facts and legal issues, distinguish them, and succinctly but accurately relay them to a wide variety of audiences
-Willingness and ability to embody ADOR’s core values of Do the Right Thing, Commit to Excellence, and Care About One Another

Additional Job Demands
-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.
-No substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work.)

-Experience with a state or local taxing authority or a governmental client of such authority
-Experience with excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products, centrally-valued properties and ad valorem property taxes, and Arizona's government property lease excise tax.
-Education or equivalent work experience in application development and computer information systems.

The final candidate will be required to abide by the the following pre-employment checks:
-Employment and Education Verification, and Reference Checks
-State and Federal Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting
-Arizona Tax Filing Records Check
-If applicable, ASEDRA Authorized Driver Identification Check

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides a world class comprehensive benefits package including:
-Paid time off for holidays, sick days, annual leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and civic duty leave
-Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
-A robust and affordable insurance plan that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability options.
-Higher education discounts for State employees and tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per fiscal year, available to seek further career advancement or certification in Continuing Professional Education.
-Work-life balance and additional options for life betterment such as the Infant at Work Program, State Wellness Program, Public Transit Discounts, Alternate Work Schedules, and Telework opportunities.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program .

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our

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: