TAX REPRESENTATIVE TRAINEE
There is no civil service exam for Tax Representative Trainee. As a non-competitive state title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma.
How to get hired
- Tax Representative Trainee is non-competitive, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the education and experience stated in the specification.
- Apply directly to the hiring agency when a vacancy is posted. The agency verifies that you meet the minimum requirements.
- Because there is no eligible list, hiring timelines are set by the agency rather than by a statewide certification.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under supervision in the Department of Treasury, as trainee and productive worker, learns to conduct routine and special field investigations to ensure compliance with the provisions of the New Jersey Tax Law regarding Local Property; or learns to provide information and assistance to taxpayers, their representatives and/or staff regarding taxes and programs; learns to research, investigate and resolve routine tax administration cases and/or inquiries and perform account adjustments; does other related duties.
Examples of work
As trainee and productive worker Responds to inquiries received by regular or e-mail, telephone, or personal visit from taxpayers or their representatives, and learns to provide necessary technical information and assistance in uncomplicated cases including requests forwarded through regional offices, Director's Office, and Legislator' Offices. Learns to analyze, investigate and resolve taxpayer problem issues received via telephone, regular or e-mail inquiry. Researches taxpayer account history and applicable State law. Assists in the development of tax publications and outreach programs. Compiles information obtained from interviews. Learns to make online adjustments to taxpayer accounts on automated systems. Learns to interview assessors and taxpayers; explains the provisions of the basic laws regarding local property. Examines tax assessments, tax exemption applications, and other documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the law. Collects and tabulates data concerning specific properties, including the types of construction, volume, area, income, neighborhood characteristics and influences, zoning restrictions, and other needed information. Inspects real properties and prepares records of the data on which the valuation assessment was made. Learns to investigate and inspect revaluation projects within the taxing districts. Prepares clear and accurate reports. Establishes and maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to compile and tabulate data. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply tax laws of New Jersey and regulations, procedures, and forms of the Division of Taxation relevant to the administration of all various taxes, and their interpretation and specific application. Ability to understand the programs, functions, and organization of the division. Ability to analyze, investigates and resolve taxpayer issues. Ability to examine tax documents for accuracy and compliance with the law. Ability to conduct inspections and investigations. Ability to conduct interviews and research. Ability to compile and tabulate data. Ability to write clear and accurate reports. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT Appointees who successfully complete the 12-month training period will be eligible for promotion to the title among the following for which they have been trained: Field Representative Local Property Tax; or, Taxpayer Service Representative 1. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to a title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position. Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved journeyman titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.