Associate Tax Policy Counsel - Public Service Coordinator II

Maine Revenue Services

Office of Tax Policy 

Associate Tax Policy Counsel- Public Service Coordinator II

Opening Date: February 14, 2025

Closing Date:  March 3, 2025

Job Class Code: CA31
Grade: 31
Salary: $74,713.59 – $105,809.60/Annually 
Position Number: 016303796

The Office of Tax Policy (OTP) within Maine Revenue Services is now hiring an Associate Tax Policy Counsel to join their team.  This role provides legal tax policy analysis, advice and assistance to the Office of Tax Policy and key Executive branch advisors and decision makers regarding all aspects of tax policy and legislation matters.  The position takes an active role on numerous complex tax policy matters, working closely with the Deputy Tax Policy Counsel and in coordination with other members of the OTP team, to research, draft, and present legal policy analysis, options, and corresponding legislative documents to key Executive and Legislative branch advisors and decisionmakers, as well as to outside stakeholders and advocacy groups.  During the Legislative Sessions, the position appears before the Legislature’s committees, briefing legislators and staff and presenting the Administration’s position on assigned tax legislation.  On tax policy work the position consults as appropriate with the Attorney General’s Office.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Research and draft OTP comparative tax analysis memoranda and related communications on selected tax issues;
• Research, draft, and assist in the coordination of tax legislation proposals of the Executive Branch;
• Provide OTP legal analysis and comment on tax proposals and legislation of the Legislative Branch;
• Track tax legislation and legislative reports through all stages, flagging key issues for other OTP staff and OTP Associate Commissioner for Tax Policy;
• Coordinate and assist with drafts of legislation summaries, memoranda, and testimony; and ensure timely submission of final versions of those documents by OTP to DAFS, GO, and appropriate Legislative Committees;
• Work with the OTP Research Coordinator to develop and track OTP project agendas, goals, and timelines; 
• Draft tax study reports and MRS public communications tax guidance;
• Represent OTP in public forums as assigned; and
• Duties may also involve occasional work with the MRS General Counsel and in consultation with the Attorney General’s office on selected tax administration matters. 

The Associate Tax Policy Counsel position is a full-time position based in Augusta with a partially remote work schedule available.  All positions within the OTP team have the opportunity to work a hybrid in-office/remote schedule with management approval. 

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

• Excellent legal research, writing and presentation skills;
• Strong aptitude for relating legal documents to underlying policy purposes and competing considerations;
• In-depth knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and case law in the field of taxation or related subject areas;
• Strong knowledge of administrative law, contract law, business law, and constitutional law;
• Knowledge of the legislative process;
• Strong project management skills; and
• Excellent listening and teamwork skills.

WHO WE ARE:

The Office of Tax Policy is responsible for:

• providing economic and legal policy analysis on tax issues; 
• oversight of tax legislation review;
• preparation of revenue forecasting and tax expenditure reports;
• comparative evaluation of tax systems;
• establishment of policy criteria reflected in Maine Revenue Service (MRS) rules and advisory rulings; and
• related public relations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A law degree from an accredited law school, admitted to practice law in the State of Maine, and registered in good standing with the Board of Overseers of the Maine Bar.
• Preference will be given to those candidates who possess three or more years of experience practicing law or working in a high-level tax policy environment.
• All candidates applying for a position at Maine Revenue Services will be subject to a tax clearance check.  To be selected for the position, an applicant must have filed all his or her Maine returns and paid all Maine tax liabilities.  State law requires that applicants seeking initial employment with Maine Revenue Services undergo a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history record check.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – 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 ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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