VITA Program Specialist/Receptionist (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Job Title: VITA Program Specialist (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Classification: Full Time/Non-Exempt | 35 hours/week, M-F, hours may vary December - April

Salary: $24.55 hourly

Reports to: Community Impact Coordinator

Position Summary

United Way’s VITA Free Tax Prep program offers free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers throughout Indian River County by participating in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The program is a partnership with the IRS, United Way, and several local organizations.

Core Responsibilities

The VITA Program Specialist is a part of the VITA team and provides courteous and prompt support to clients seeking tax appointments. The Program Specialist will screen and schedule appointments for qualified callers through an online scheduling system. The VITA Program Specialist will also provide support to the VITA team members at multiple VITA sites. Possible duties include ensuring each site has supplies and coordinating logistics with the VITA host sites.

Under the direction of the Coordinator, the Program Specialist will:

• Complete necessary VITA training and certification tests

• Respond to all appointment phone calls providing courteous and accurate service

• Screen callers for free tax filing eligibility

• Schedule free tax filing appointments for callers when appropriate

• Direct callers to available free tax preparation sites when appropriate

• Direct callers to 2-1-1 and other community services for needs outside of free tax filing services

• Attend relevant meetings and committees as directed by the Community Impact Coordinator

• Assist at free tax preparation events when needed as a Greeter

• Complete additional related tasks when requested

35 hours/week, Monday-Friday, hours may vary. If scheduling allows, Specialists may be asked to assist with tax preparation events on evenings and weekends.

Education & Experience Requirements

Minimum: GED and/or some college experience and Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred: Associate degree or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Other: Successfully complete IRS VITA training and certification requirements

Desirable Skills and Qualities

The ideal VITA Program Specialist will have the following education and skill requirements:

• Excellent verbal communication, listening, and problem-solving skills

• Be computer literate and have comfort scheduling callers through an online database system

• Experience with the hotline, call center or customer service preferred

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced setting

• Active listener

• Effective multitasker

• Proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel

• Take personal initiative – working both independently and as a team member

Personal Characteristics

• A reliable and enthusiastic team player

• Seeks creative and innovative solutions

• Exhibits high personal standards of integrity, honesty, and character

• Easily move between being an independent self-starter and a collaborative team member

• Presents a high degree of maturity, reliability, and self-confidence

• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail

• Passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed

• A polite approach and desire to be helpful to others

Training

VITA Program Specialists are required to pass (at minimum) the online IRS certifications Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview which are offered online and in-person through the IRS and United Way. Exams are multiple choice and open book.

VITA Program Specialists will also have the option of taking the IRS training and obtaining the IRS certification for Advanced Tax Preparation which is offered online and in-person through the IRS and United Way. This training is highly suggested to give the VITA Program Specialist a solid knowledge of tax preparation and the VITA Program. However, this training is not a requirement for this position.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by staff to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The staff member is required to talk and hear in person and on the phone. The staff member is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel. The staff member is required to stand, walk, and reach with arms and hands. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Further details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process. The staff member must be able to lift 25 lbs.

Pay: $22.55 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25