Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Associate – Kalamazoo County

Title:	Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Associate – Kalamazoo County	Group/Team:	Community Impact
Reports To:	VITA Services Director	Status:	Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
FLSA Classification:	Salaried, Exempt	Minimum Annual Salary:	$47,120

POSITION SUMMARY

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Associate is a member of United Way of South Central Michigan's Community Impact team and is responsible for administering the VITA program in Kalamazoo County. Our VITA program provides free, professional tax preparation services to income-eligible individuals and families. This position oversees VITA services and partner sites throughout the county and is based out of UWSCMI's Kalamazoo office.

This hybrid position is based out of UWSCMI's Kalamazoo office and requires a minimum of three days in the office each week. During tax season, in-person responsibilities at the Kalamazoo office and VITA partner sites throughout Kalamazoo County are required. Occasional travel to Lansing to support VITA operations in that region is also expected. Evening and weekend hours 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 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.

Program Operations and Compliance

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the VITA Program in Kalamazoo County in partnership with other Kalamazoo-based VITA team members.
• Follow site establishment and close out policies and procedures to ensure tax sites can operate efficiently and effectively.
• 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.
• Maintain all IRS VITA certifications (Basic, Advanced, etc.) throughout employment.
• 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.

Volunteer Management and Training

• Recruit, train, oversee, and manage listing of volunteers' certifications for program volunteers; deliver and administer volunteer recruitment strategies such as presentation, speaking engagements and events.

• Prepare Kalamazoo County VITA calendar of events and coordinate VITA volunteer schedules.
• Develop presentation and training materials, including PowerPoint and other presentation software.

Partnerships and Client Relations

• Collaborate and maintain relationships between staff, VITA volunteers, community partners, site coordinators, United Way staff members, Michigan and local 2-1-1 staff members, and clients who are provided VITA services.
• Respond to or refer client requests that come through the 2-1-1 pipeline or the VITA communications system.

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 the workplace.
• Ability to pass IRS Advanced Certification Exam required after 30 days of employment.
• Formal education, such as a bachelor's degree in nonprofit administration, sociology, accounting, finance, business, social work, or a related field, may supplement or substitute for relevant experience.
• Ability to build and maintain community partnerships that improve access to VITA services and promote accountability to clients.
• Nonprofit, volunteer management, or tax preparation experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams); database experience preferred.
• Commitment to providing accurate, complete, and client-centered services.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage volunteers, community members, and clients in an empathetic, inclusive, and supportive manner.
• Ability to respond promptly to staff and volunteer communications during VITA service hours.
• Experience with tax preparation software preferred.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain client confidentiality.
• Experience facilitating meetings, delivering presentations, and providing training.

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 Kalamazoo area and occasional travel to Lansing. Use of a personal motor vehicle for transportation requires proof of insurance and the driver must have a valid Driver's license.
• Occasional light lifting of supplies and materials.
• Ability to work a 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 $47,120.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN

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. We are continuously building capacity and accountability into our policies, practices, and partnerships. We seek those who can lead and move alongside us in this work.

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 85% towards single coverage and 70% 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).