Volunteer Income Tax Assistant

Title:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Senior Associate - Mobile Unit Lead

Group/Team:

Community Impact

Reports To:

VITA Services Director

Status:

Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

FLSA

Classification:

Salaried, Exempt

Salary Minimum:

$51,200

POSITION SUMMARY

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Senior Associate is a member of United Way of South Central Michigan's Community Impact department and VITA team. In this position you'll be responsible for administering the VITA program in Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Montcalm, and Shiawassee counties using the VITA mobile unit. The Senior VITA Associate will oversee VITA services and partner sites within these counties during the tax season from late January to April and operate year-round tax services. This will include volunteer recruitment, onboarding, education, and coordination to provide tax services. VITA is a national program focused on helping low-income individuals and families access tax and emergency assistance to achieve financial stability.

This position works from the United Way of South Central Michigan VITA office located in Lansing. The position is hybrid (remote and in-person) most of the year and in-person in the Lansing office and other locations within the eight county footprint during tax season.

The position requires frequent travel throughout the eight county footprint during tax season with occasional travel throughout the year for meetings and trainings. Evening and weekend work are required during tax season .

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
  • Contribute to an equitable, diverse and inclusive organizational culture that centers people in every solution, process and function.
  • Build systems, culture, and processes to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive VITA program
  • Provide people-centered and trauma-informed services that continuously seeks to increase access to low-income individuals and families.

• Program Management:
  • Manage data collection and prepare external reporting as required for grants and contracts.
  • Coordinate financial education classes including the recruitment, scheduling, and oversight of presenters.

• Tax preparation and review:
  • Provide preparation assistance, quality reviews, and site coordination as needed, ensuring that all tax returns prepared are transmitted in a timely manner and follow-ups are completed during the tax season and year-round.
  • Manage the review of tax site compliance with IRS Quality Site Requirements and other IRS guidelines.
  • Ensure that all tax returns prepared are transmitted in a timely manner and follow-ups are completed as needed.
• Site Coordination:
  • Follow site establishment and close out policies and procedures to ensure tax sites can operate efficiently and effectively.

• Volunteer Management and Training:
  • Recruit, develop, coach, inspire schedule, and manage listing of volunteers' certifications for program volunteers.
  • Develop and administer volunteer recruitment strategies including presentations, speaking engagements, events, etc.

• Maintenance and Coordination of VITA Mobile Unit:
  • Manage the day-to-day operation of the VITA mobile unit. This includes performing inspections of the VITA mobile unit before and after each use, maintaining fuel levels, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, and recording mileage, travel logs, expenses, and other report data.
  • and coordinate VITA volunteer schedules.
  • Schedule and coordinate maintenance of the VITA mobile unit including preventive maintenance, repairs, and more.
  • Develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices to ensure safe and effective use of the VITA mobile unit by the VITA team

• Technology and Resource Management:
  • Coordinate with the VITA Associate Director and IT vendor to address technology issues and distribute, collect, and re-inventory all VITA equipment and supplies and submit requests for purchases as needed.
  • Assist with updates of all software, records, reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as needed.
  • Implement the tools to monitor the financial well-being of VITA clients including completion of Financial Health Surveys by clients to be evaluated to improve programming and referral services for long-term financial well-being and connecting clients to tools such as opening a bank account.

• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Provide people-centered support to and/or refer client requests received from our partner 2-1-1 resource call-center or the VITA communications system.
  • Collaborate and maintain relationships between staff, VITA volunteers, community partners, site coordinators, Internal Stakeholders, Partnerships, Education and Communication Relationship Manager, United Way staff members, Michigan and local 2-1-1 staff members, and clients who are provided VITA services.

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and ability to apply anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to pass IRS Advanced Certification Exam required within 30 days of employment.
• Maintain all IRS VITA certifications (Basic, Advanced, etc.) throughout employment.
• Previous experience in a professional tax preparation or client serving role and/or formal education such as a bachelor's degree in non-profit administration, sociology, accounting, finance, business, social work or a related field. Professional experience working for a non-profit and volunteer management experience preferred.
• Ability to cultivate community collaborations and relationships to create access for and accountability to VITA clients and potential clients. Prior non-profit, volunteer management, or tax knowledge and experience preferred.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Database experience is a plus.
• Commitment to providing client-centered services and performing tasks completely and accurately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including cross-cultural, empathetic, inclusive, and supportive customer-service skills to communicate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, community members, and clients.
• Ability to respond promptly to UWSCMI staff and VITA volunteer communications during VITA service hours.
• Ability to handle sensitive case information with discretion, maintaining client confidentiality and privacy.
• Experience with facilitating meetings, public speaking, and providing education to adult learners.
• Experience and interest in interacting with and supporting individuals and families with low-to-moderate income to achieve their goals.
• Experience with tax preparation software preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to use office equipment and work sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Reliable transportation for frequent travel within the Capital area and occasional travel to Kalamazoo.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and a good driving record.
• Ability to operate a specialized motor vehicle for purposes of client service delivery, includes sitting and driving for extended periods of time.
• Occasional lifting of supplies and materials, up to 20-40 pounds.
• Ability to work non-standard work schedule (evenings and weekends) as needed during tax season.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Candidate must be able to work successfully in a remote environment with private space and high-speed internet.

SALARY

All the roles within UWSCMI have pay ranges that commensurate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the successful candidate. The minimum annual salary for this position is $51,200

ABOUT UWSCMI

United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) gathers the power of three legacy organizations-Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and United Way of Jackson County-to mobilize financial and volunteer resources, partners, and voices, creating equitable and lasting change for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Our vision: Strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good.

Our path: Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

UWSCMI is committed to dismantling systemic inequities that continue to cause harm for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, women, and people with disabilities. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities. Together, we will continue to build capacity and accountability into our policies, practices, and partnerships.

NOTE

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

BACKGROUND CHECK DISCLOSURE

We require background checks for certain roles. The checks are completed by ProScreening and results are only ever communicated to the Hiring Manager if they may impact someone's employment. We do not use prior arrests, only convictions. These convictions will only be considered as hiring criteria if they are directly connected to the roles & responsibilities of the job (for example, financial related convictions for a finance officer). We know that the criminal legal system is not equitable, and negatively impacts marginalized communities - specifically people of color - at rates much higher than other identities. This is why our background check process is only in place for explicit situations.

TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE

United Way of South Central Michigan offers a competitive total rewards package including a competitive salary, medical coverage with an employer contribution of 90% towards single coverage and 75% towards dependent coverage, dental and vision with a 90% employer contribution towards single and dependent coverage, life insurance with an employer-paid benefit of 2 times annual salary, short-term disability and long-term disability effective the date of hire. In addition, United Way provides a 10% employer contribution into the 403(b) retirement plan each year with full vesting after 3 years of service and 20 days Paid Time Off, 13 days Paid Sick Time, 5 Paid Volunteer Days, 3 Floating Holidays and 11 Paid Holidays each year (Paid time off, sick time. Paid volunteer time and floating holidays are prorated the first year). Hybrid and/or remote work arrangements are available for many positions.