Vita Associate

**Why work as a VITA Associate?**
- Opportunity to work for an organization making a significant impact in the community.
- Join a team that embraces Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and people-centered values.
- Hybrid work opportunity allowing some work at home flexibility.
- 37.5-hour work week.

**Title**:
VITA Associate - Kalamazoo County

**Group/Team**:
Community Impact

**Reports To**:
VITA Services Director

**Status**:
Full Time (37.5 hours per week) One-year grant funded)

**FLSA**

**Classification**:
Salaried, Exempt

**Salary Minimum**:
$43,200/year

***

The VITA Associate is a member of United Way of South Central Michigan's Community Impact team and is responsible for administering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Kalamazoo County. The VITA Associate will oversee VITA services and partner sites within Kalamazoo County during the tax season and operate year-round tax services. This position is housed out of the United Way of South Central Michigan Kalamazoo office. The position is hybrid (remote and in-person) most of the year and in-person in the Kalamazoo office and other locations within Kalamazoo County during tax season.

The position requires frequent travel throughout Kalamazoo County during tax season with occasional travel to Lansing throughout the year for meetings and trainings. Evening and weekend work are required during tax **. This is a 1-year grant funded full-time position.**

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION**
- 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 inclusive and equitable Kalamazoo County VITA program to ensure that all eligible clients are able to access, feel welcomed, and benefit from the VITA program with a focus on eliminating barriers to access for historically underrepresented and marginalized communities.
- Manage the day-to-day operation of the VITA Program in Kalamazoo County.
- 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.
- Manage data collection and prepare external reporting as required for tax grants and partners; compile and disseminate program reports, materials and documents.
- Recruit, train, oversee, schedule, and manage listing of volunteers' certifications for program volunteers; deliver and administer volunteer recruitment strategies such as presentations, speaking engagements and events.
- 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.
- Coordinate financial education classes including the recruitment, scheduling, and oversight of presenters.
- 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.
- Respond to or refer client requests that come through the 2-1-1 pipeline or the VITA communications system.
- Prepare Kalamazoo County VITA calendar of events and coordinate VITA volunteer schedules.
- Assist with updates of all software, records, reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as needed.
- 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.
- Follow site establishment and close out policies and procedures to ensure tax sites can operate efficiently and effectively.
- Develop presentation and training materials, including using PowerPoint and other presentation software.
- Maintain all IRS VITA certifications (Basic, Advanced, etc.) throughout employment.
- Other duties as assigned.

**JOB REQUIREMENTS**
- Experience in working with low-moderate income individuals and families, nonprofit experience, and volunteer management preferred.
- Ability to pass IRS Advanced Certification Exam required after 30 days of employment.
- Formal education such as a bachelor's degree in non-profit administration, sociology, accounting, finance, business, social work or a related field may substitute or supplement experiences to meet this requirement.
- 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.
- Commitment to providing client-centered services and performing tasks completely and acc