Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site Coordinator

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Job description

Job Details

Job Location
1825 San Pablo Avenue - Oakland, CA

Job Description

Emphasizing our historic and continuing commitment to Asian and Pacific Islander communities, the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) works with and for all the diverse populations of the East Bay to build healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods through community development.

EBALDC is a first-generation social enterprise founded in 1975 that has consistently generated >75% of our revenue from earned income. Our businesses and programs generate revenue to support sustained social impact. We oversee a diverse range of businesses and programs, including real estate development, property management, social services, and professional services, some of which are corporate operations and others are operated as subsidiaries and through partnerships with public and private partners.

For more about our accomplishments and our mission, please visit:

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is seeking a temporary, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site Coordinator at the main office in Oakland, CA

Schedule:

November 16, 2021 - December 31, 2021; 22.5 hours per week

January 2, 2022 - May 13, 2022; 37.5 hours per week

Summary:

The VITA Site Coordinator will lead EBALDC's VITA overall program. The role includes facilitating and leading tax trainings, managing volunteers, leading site operations, supporting tax assistance, and ensuring proper document compliance and reporting.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage Daily Site Operations

• Oversee tax preparation by volunteers, ensuring all tax preparers maintain certification, provide good customer service, and maintain a friendly atmosphere
• Manage day-to-day VITA site, ensure site is open as scheduled, is adequately staffed, and room is set up
• Ensure that equipment such as laptops and tax files are secured at all times
• Ensure that site is following appropriate policies and procedures for confidentiality, data releases and data security

Provide Tax Assistance and Ensure Quality Services

• Assist clients and volunteers with tax returns. Ensure tax returns are accurate via the quality review process
• Act as the e-file administrator. Review tax returns to be e-filed to ensure quality and completeness and file within 48 hours of preparation. Call taxpayers to verify information as needed
• Maintain hard copy files accurately for accepted returns, rejected returns and paper returns. Review rejected returns and informs the related tax filer within 24 hours. Provide the tax filer with assistance to fix the problem and resubmit the tax return
• Provide verbal interpretation in Mandarin and/or Cantonese and periodic written translation as needed

Manage Volunteers

• Ensure that volunteers are following policy, procedures and providing good customer service
• Coordinate with volunteers to adequately staff tax site, including consideration for translation needs, intake and administrative needs, and tax certification needs
• Ensure that volunteers encourage VITA clients to save their refunds as part of our Savings Initiative, and connect VITA clients to SparkPoint Oakland financial coaching

Program Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Accurately and efficiently enter data into various online customer tracking systems
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on customer status using digital and paper case files, following standards based on IRS document and privacy standards
• Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in a timely manner as requested, including program reports, client surveys, client success stories, event summaries, and program photos

Time Management

• Report to work as scheduled, and follows call-in and approval procedures for time off
• Organize and prioritize work effectively
• Participate in training and development programs to improve personal skills/knowledge

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Preferred two years of experience in financial services, program coordination role, or former volunteer tax assistant
• Preferred tax experience and basic knowledge of topics such as taxpayer requirements, filing status, tax credits, deductions and general tax assistance issues
• Ability to manage and coordinate a group of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Past experience leading groups or coordinating events preferred
• Proficiency in working in diverse, low-income communities with cultural competency and sensitivity required
• Fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, and/or Spanish speaking, reading, and writing preferred. Demonstrates a positive attitude, respect, strong customer service and rapport with clients and colleagues
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while commanding strong attention to details and accuracy
• Has at minimum a high school diploma or GED
• Computer skills appropriate for setting up workstations on a daily basis, and maintaining site records and troubleshooting software and hardware problems
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings from January through April. Our tax sites are open Saturdays and Sundays 9am - 5pm, and several weekdays from 12 - 8pm
• Continued employment is contingent on receiving a passing score on the IRS Basic Certification and IRS Advanced Certification tests (training provided)

Physical Demands:

• Ability to complete data entry using a computer keyboard for several hours per day
• Ability to lift/move up to 15 lbs
• Ability to navigate the VITA site throughout operating hours, which may require walking and standing for long periods of time
• Ability to work in an environment characterized by moderate to high noise levels due to multiple conversations occurring in an enclosed area
• Ability to communicate effectively with VITA Volunteers, clients and EBALDC staff in this environment

Benefits and Other Information:

EBALDC offers excellent benefit. EBALDC pays up to 100% of employee premiums and 60% of dependent premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, LTD and Life, EAP, Retirement, Paid Time Off, CA Paid Sick Leave, Holidays and Wellness Days off for all eligible employees.

**All candidates will be subject to a background check and COVID-19 Vaccination is required as a condition of employment**

Please NO PHONE CALLS!

EBALDC is an EOE/AA Employer