Tax Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC’s Center for Financial Opportunity (CFO) helps newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progress to living wage jobs, learn basic financial management skills and build assets, and start small businesses. Core to CFO, is the inclusion of financial literacy and asset building services throughout all CFO services. These core services include integrated financial literacy and coaching sessions; asset building training, coaching, and individual development accounts for asset acquisition; easy access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit; access to affordable consumer and credit building loan products; and stabilization supports to address immediate needs.

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: (Pay Range: $24.46 - $26.80) 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.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.