Tax Specialist I

Tax Specialist I

Salary

$43,825.60 - $50,648.00 Annually

Location

City Hall, 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

260600001

Department

Commissioner of Revenue

Opening Date

06/05/2026

Closing Date

6/19/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

This Tax Specialist I performs skilled technical clerical work assisting Commissioner of Revenue customers with tax and relief program questions, as well as the preparation and maintenance of fiscal related records. Works under general supervision and depending on assignment, reports to either the State Income Tax/Relief Programs Supervisor, Business Tax Supervisor, or Personal Property Supervisor.

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $21.07 - $24.35 per hour ($43,825.60 - $50,648.00 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.

• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City and Commissioner of the Revenue retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Serves as primary point of contact for taxpayers arriving in person. Provides customer service to the public regarding Commissioner of Revenue programs in person, by telephone and through written correspondence.

• Works to resolve problems or questions from customers relating to personal property, State Income taxes, business license, and/or relief programs.

• Performs work in assigned area(s) which may include but not limited to:

• Business Taxes:

• Addresses inquiries regarding local tax programs, new business tax account set up and correct business license classification; assist in processing fiduciary tax returns; review of asset listings for business tangible property tax.

• Assists taxpayers on how to file and pay business taxes using online filling/payment system.

• Personal Property:

• Addresses inquiries regarding personal property assessments and/or billing issues; updates tax account information.

• Verifies information for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) database; processes reports received from DMV to determine taxable status of vehicles within City limits.

• Tax Relief/State Income Tax:

• Addresses inquiries and obtains appropriate documentation to determine eligibility related to Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled; Rental Relief for the Elderly & Disabled; and Charlottesville Housing Affordability Program.

• Assists taxpayers with filling Virginia Income Tax Returns.

• Enters and retrieves data with accuracy from a variety of databases and systems.

• Reviews all related filing information and data sources to ensure accuracy prior to entering information into the appropriate database.

• Examines and investigates documents to ensure compliance with City ordinances and State laws.

• Assists with general office/administrative duties, assists with incoming mail, and bulk mailings of information to citizens.

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.

• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND 1 year of related administrative support/customer service work experience.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• 6 months in a technically oriented environment, preferably in a governmental agency.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics :

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skill in interviewing and eliciting needed information.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment.
• General knowledge of departmental procedures, billing, collecting and adjustments.
• Knowledge of and proven skill in the use of a computer and data entry; and the ability to learn and effectively use agencys systems and software.

Reading

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials.

Writing

• Basic: ability to write simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement, and to perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Proven customer service skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, leaders, and the public. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Understands and maintains safeguards for sensitive and confidential information. Examples include contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond appropriately to aggressive interpersonal interactions.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Constant interruptions and requests for service.
• Time pressures.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• Works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

What is your highest level of completed education? (Must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section on your online application.)

• Masters degree
• Bachelors degree
• Associates degree
• High School Diploma / GED
• None of the above

02

How much work experience do you have performing administrative support and/or customer service duties that involved direct interaction with the public (e.g., reception, assisting clients, responding to inquiries, providing information, or supporting office operations)? (Must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)

• No experience.
• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) to less than three (3) years
• Three (3) to less than five (5) years
• Five (5) years or greater

03

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

04

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Charlottesville

Address P. O. Box 911

605 East Main Street

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone (434) 970-3490

Website http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs