Tax Specialist
Coordinate and administer the VITA Tax program effectively
Overview
Coordinate and administer the VITA Tax program effectively
You have:
- Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; or mix of equivalent years of related work experience and education.
- Previous experience with personal income tax preparation required.
- Experience in a non-profit organization preferred.
- Excellent customer service skills, including experience working with a diverse client base.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make presentations as well as the ability to supervise a large, diverse group of volunteers.
- Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail.
- High level of computer literacy; familiarity with TaxSlayer software highly preferred.
- High level of comfort, functioning and effectiveness in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong commitment to economic empowerment of low-income and underserved populations.
- Excellent written and verbal English.
- Proficiency in a second language (Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian or other high-demand language) strongly preferred.
Job Overview:
The VITA Tax Specialist is responsible for the seamless coordination and day-to-day administration of the IRC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at one of IRC’s tax sites in El Cajon or San Diego. This role supports the delivery of free tax preparation services to over 1,500 individuals and families, resulting in millions in tax refunds to low-income communities. This is a short-term, full-time position spanning from December 15, 2024, to April 15, 2025.
Key Responsibilities:
• Efficiently manage day-to-day operations of the IRC’s VITA site, encompassing the tax season period (January – April 2025).
• Provide leadership and technical support to volunteer tax preparers.
• Thoroughly review documentation and complete tax returns for taxpayers.
• Schedule tax appointments and deliver exceptional customer service to clients.
• Conduct quality reviews and electronically file tax returns in compliance with established procedures.
• Successfully complete the IRS Link and Learn tax training at the Advanced level.
• Participate in Site Coordinator Training to enhance proficiency.
• Attend and complete partners’ VITA trainings, actively contributing to EITC coalition meetings.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of VITA program volunteers, ensuring preparedness for the tax season.
• Coordinate and actively participate in marketing and outreach initiatives for the IRC’s VITA program.
• Develop EITC presentations, engage in VITA canvasing efforts, and represent IRC at community fairs.
• Assist in the meticulous collection of data and reporting to program funders.
• Ensure strict adherence to IRS and VITA program policies and procedures, guaranteeing compliance at all times.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned in support of the IRC’s mission and objectives.
Job Requirements:
• Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; or mix of equivalent years of related work experience and education;
• Previous experience with personal income tax preparation required;
• Experience in a non-profit organization preferred;
• Excellent customer service skills, including experience working with a diverse client base;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make presentations as well as the ability to supervise a large, diverse group of volunteers;
• Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail;
• High level of computer literacy; familiarity with TaxSlayer software highly preferred;
• High level of comfort, functioning and effectiveness in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams;
• Strong commitment to economic empowerment of low-income and underserved populations;
• Excellent written and verbal English;
• Proficiency in a second language (Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian or other high-demand language) strongly preferred.
Working Environment:
• Office work, professional environment.
• Working hours during the tax season are five days a week in alignment with the IRC’s VITA schedule: Monday through Sunday, 9am-5pm; At least one weekend day per week is required;
Compensation:
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
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Qualifications
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time you managed a team in a high-pressure environment? | This question assesses your leadership and teamwork skills under stress. | Provide a clear example detailing the situation, actions you took, and the outcome. |
| What strategies do you use to ensure exceptional customer service? | The interviewer wants to understand your approach to client interactions. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you handle mistakes made during tax preparation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you trained or mentored someone? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you manage competing priorities during the tax season? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |