The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $32.36 - $35.96/hour

This position is responsible for, but not limited to, tax return and payment processing, license application review, daily cash balancing and batch reconciliation, and the management of business correspondence. Manages direct front line communications and provides customer service to the public, agents, contractors, and other city staff in a professional manner.

Position is responsible for problem solving issues with businesses relating to the reporting of various taxes and fees, including Sales, Use, Accommodation, B&O (Business & Occupation), Cable, Gas & Electric, PEG (Public, Educational, and Governmental), and PIF (Public Improvement Fee) accounts. Identifies and researches businesses with accounts potentially out of compliance; reviews tax information and taxing requirements; and enforces tax collection activities for non-payment of taxes, as necessary. Confers with taxpayers and the general public in person, on the telephone, and in writing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides detailed, accurate, and timely information to businesses.
• Handles and processes tax returns for the City of Lakewood with the ability to diagnose filing errors.
• Reconciles returns/schedules with receipts and files provided by the bank.
• Prepares bank deposits of over-the-counter payments and reconciles cash box.
• Alerts audit staff of any filing discrepancies and/or taxability issues.
• Handles numerous phone and in-person inquiries regarding licensing requirements, tax and PIF rates, filing requirements, and general tax/PIF information.
• Reviews license applications and license renewals for completeness; establishes approved businesses in the City’s revenue system with the appropriate filing frequency and tax account types; and prepares and mails new business licenses with supporting documentation.
• Reviews exempt license applications, including review of pertinent information and first level approval. Researches exemption information as needed through the I.R.S. and the City of Lakewood Sales and Use Tax Ordinance.
• Verifies new and terminated accounts; completes status change notices as appropriate.
• Processes requests for refunds.
• Calculates assessments, including late penalties and interests; Contacts delinquent taxpayers to discuss late payments and assessments; performs collection procedures to obtain tax.
• Performs on-site field collections to delinquent taxpayer who have outstanding tax filings and/or payments.
• Completes appropriate write-ups for liquor license compliance, and other sales/use tax accounts as deemed necessary.
• Confers with taxpayers and the general public in person, through telephone contact, and in writing; provides information on tax laws, procedures and liabilities.
• Serves as an ambassador of goodwill and the public interest by establishing and maintaining positive interactive customer service-oriented relationships with businesses and the public.

• Assists businesses and the general public with questions and complaints.
• Maintains current knowledge of business activity in the City.
• Responsible for reporting to parties of the PIF Agreements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervision Received: Receives supervision from the Revenue Supervisor; and general guidance from the Lead
• Supervision Given: None

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Prefer college-level coursework in Business or related.

Experience:

• Three years of accounting, secretarial, clerical or technical work involving a high level of public contact, practical application of various computer software programs, and work with numbers.
• Prefer one year of work experience that includes current experience in regulatory, tax, and/or PIF revenue collections, either for a governmental agency, non-profit corporation, or a business.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Intermediate to advanced skill level in using a computer and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Must be able to interact with others in a positive manner.

• Ability to exercise good, professional judgement.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct audits as assigned, and other responsibilities.
• Ability to understand, analyze and apply basic accounting procedures, including sales invoicing, purchasing and disbursement 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.
• Ability to maintain composure when working with persons who are frustrated, angry or upset.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to transport oneself to off-site locations.
• Reference checks, background check, and credit check required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor. 

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.