Full Time

Position Description 

The Program Manager is part of Ariva’s management team and has lead responsibility for the management and performance of one year round VITA tax site and up to six seasonal tax sites. The Program Manager has  direct supervision of two to three permanent staff and about twelve seasonal employees. The manager is responsible for ensuring that the sites  within their portfolio meet all internal and external contract goals.

Ariva is one of the most established non-profit free  tax assistance organizations in the Bronx. We are an IRS sponsored VITA program and a Certified Acceptance Agent for ITINs. The program serves over 8,000 New Yorker each year at about ten seasonal and three year round locations.

The tax team is composed of 5 full-time year-round staff, 20-25 seasonal staff and about 100 hundred volunteers. This job involves frequent local travel to sites around NYC and requires some evenings and weekend hours over the course of the year.  During the main filing season (January-April), the Program Manager can expect to work most evenings and Saturdays.

Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position.  All staff must be vaccinated and must follow the health and safety procedures in our offices.

This position is 100% in person. The average work week is 45 hours, more during the income tax filing season and other busy times of year.

Ariva is a growing organization, and this position offers the opportunity to grow with us.

Responsibilities

The Program Manager has full responsibility for the tax sites in their portfolio.  The  Program Manager directly oversees projects and tax sites and supervises line staff. They also  provide coverage as needed in the absence of site staff to ensure seamless and efficient operations of the tax sites.

The Tax Program is a VITA program highly regulated by the IRS.   The Program Manager  ensures that all aspects of  the tax sites in their portfolio are fully compliant with all IRS VITA program requirements.

Ariva is also a Certified Acceptance Agent for ITINs. This IRS program also has stringent compliance requirements and, in addition, has extensive record  keeping requirements. If ITINs are accepted at any of their locations, the Program Manager  is responsible for ensuring that Ariva is at all times fully compliant with the requirements of the ITIN program.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Primary Responsibilities

• Tax site performance monitoring and reporting.  Ensuring the tax sites at all times meet all IRS and local funders requirements, including but not limited to  the ten IRS Quality Site Requirements.
• Recruitment, mentoring, retention and supervision of site coordinators and seasonal staff.
• Oversight of community outreach campaigns and marketing to support a client pipeline at assigned sites.  Maintaining an up-to-date client story bank.
• Cultivation and engagement of community partners, financial services partners, and other host partners in the communities where the tax sites are located
• Coordinating program integration activities with Ariva’s financial counseling program.
• Ensuring a highly professional and client-centered environment at all of Ariva’s tax sites.
• Ensuring the tax sites have at all times adequate equipment, technology and supplies and safeguards in place to preserve the privacy and safety of client data. Duties include securely maintaining an equipment inventory of laptops and peripherals, and ensuring the software is up to date, including security and antiviral software.
• Participate in weekly Ariva management team meetings.

Additional Responsibilities

The Program Manager will also have lead responsibility for at least one of the following initiatives:

• Direct Ariva’s ITIN program. Ensure that Ariva’s ITIN program is fully compliant with all IRS requirements.
• Oversee Ariva’s Senior Citizen Tax Initiative, a program focused exclusively on the tax needs of seniors in our communities.
• Oversee Ariva’s tax time savings and asset building initiatives. The assigned manager has lead responsibility in identifying, implementing and monitoring tax time savings efforts at our sites

Supportive Responsibilities

In addition to the above lead responsibilities, the Program Manager will work closely with and provide support to the Program director in the following:

• Contract management.
• Grant writing and Fundraising to meet programs current needs and future goals.
• Reviewing and approving communications content, including website information and social media content related to the tax programs

Core Competencies:

• Minimum three years of experience in managing VITA sites. Seasonal site experience is acceptable.

• A demonstrated commitment to and experience working with low-income people and in low-income communities.
• Extraordinary customer service skills and high standards of professionalism.
• Skilled in managing, motivating and supporting staff and volunteers.
• Strong project management skills; ability to simultaneously manage several busy tax sites.
• Cultural competence to provide services to the diverse members of our community.
• Ability to identify and build new relationships and manage existing ones with community partners.
• Computer-literate; comfortable with data management, data entry, and reporting.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with CRMs, especially Salesforce and tax software (currently TaxSlayer)
• Contract or grant management experience and skills.
• Able to work in person and engage in frequent local travel to visit multiple tax sites, primarily in the Bronx.
• Willing and able to be flexible in their work schedule; able to accommodate evening and weekend hours to support the tax sites.

Depending on project portfolio, additional competencies may be required in:

• Services to seniors
• ITIN preparation
• Asset building and tax time savings.

In addition to the above core competencies, the ideal candidate would also have

• Basic knowledge of individual income tax returns
• Familiarity with social media and some or all of the following applications; Salesforce, Constant Contacts, WordPress.

Salary:  $60,000 to $65,000/year, depending on experience.  Ariva offers full-time employees subsidized health and dental insurance, generous paid time off and other benefits.

To apply: Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org.  This posting will remain open through August 31, 2023.

Full-Time

Position Description

Ariva is seeking an Assistant Program Director to join our leadership team. The Assistant Program Director is an experienced manager with demonstrated leadership abilities who works with us in developing, launching, executing, and assessing effective programs that support vulnerable and underserved residents of our community. The Assistant Program Director has proven experience in managing, cultivating, and retaining staff.

The Assistant Program Director is part of Ariva’s leadership team, with a lead role in external relationships and communications in the financial counseling program. The Assistant Program Director works closely with the Senior Program Director in designing, implementing, and evaluating Ariva’s financial capabilities projects including, but not limited to, our financial empowerment centers, financial counseling for affordable housing seekers, financial counseling for recent immigrants in NYC, entrepreneurship and small business support, and credit building access for Bronx residents and immigrant communities in NYC.

Ariva currently offers free financial counseling and education, entrepreneurship support, and credit building initiatives to over 4,000 New Yorkers each year in the Bronx and other underserved communities in New York City. Ariva’s Financial Capabilities Program operates five projects, with two managers, ten financial counseling and support staff. Our program is growing, and this position provides an opportunity for rapid advancement.

This job involves frequent local travel to sites around NYC and requires some evenings and weekend hours over the course of the year. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position. All staff must be vaccinated and must follow the health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Program Director reports to the Senior Program Director. They work together as a team to ensure the effective operations and growth of Ariva’s financial capabilities program. The Assistant Program Director responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Primary Responsibilities:

• With a team of two full time managers reporting to them, the Assistant Program Director provides overall direction to Ariva’s five financial capabilities projects; currently this includes direct management of one project.
• Program budget development, monitoring, and reporting.
• Program performance monitoring and reporting
• Contract management.
• Recruitment, mentoring, retention, and supervision of financial capabilities program managers.
• Oversight of community outreach campaigns to support a client pipeline.
• Cultivation and engagement of community partners, financial services partners, and other host partners in the communities we serve.
• Development and maintenance of partnerships with public, private, and community-service providers working in areas related to financial inclusion, credit building, workforce, and business development.
• Coordination of program integration activities with Ariva’s free tax preparation program.
• Maintain and strengthen positive relationships with funders and city agencies.

Secondary Responsibilities:

The Senior Program Director has primary responsibility for the following functions, with the Assistant Program Director in a supporting role:

• Design, implementation, and evaluation of current and new projects.
• Grant writing and fundraising.
• Reviewing and approving communications content, including website information and social media content related to the financial capabilities programs,
• Participate in agency strategy sessions with Board and executive staff.

Core Competencies:

• Minimum five years experience working in nonprofit financial capabilities, human services, or a related field, some of that experience in a supervisory capacity. A master’s degree or above in nonprofit management or a related field will substitute for some of the experience requirement. Must have a bachelor’s degree.
• Strong and demonstrated program management skills; able to simultaneously manage multiple projects with varying goals, requirements, and timelines.
• Ability to actively lead multiple projects and make midcourse corrections to ensure projects’ success.
• A commitment to and experience working with low-income people and in low-income communities.
• Adept at establishing new relationships and managing existing ones with community partners.
• Very well- organized, with great attention to detail.
• Computer-literate; comfortable with data management, data entry, reporting, and Excel.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
• Desire and ability to work with diverse populations.

In addition to the above required competencies, any of the additional skills and experience listed below are desirable:

• Contract management experience with city agencies.
• Experience with financial counseling and adult education and familiarity with consumer banking products a plus.
• Experience with small business development.
• Familiarity with CRMs.
• Certification in financial counseling (CUNY Consumer and Personal Finance or equivalent).

Salary: Starting at $70,000. This position offers the opportunity for further advancement. Ariva offers full-time employees subsidized health and dental insurance, generous paid time off and other benefits.

Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Adelaida Morin at amorin@ariva.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This posting will be open until October 30, 2023

Ariva seeks a high-energy, self-directed Financial Counselor for an exciting project that offers free and comprehensive financial counseling to New Yorkers in the Bronx and other underserved communities in New York City. The Financial Counselor will help low and moderate-income New Yorkers strengthen their financial stability by assisting them in creating household budgets, improving credit, reducing debt, increasing savings, accessing affordable and safe financial products and services, and providing a good understanding of the US financial system. Additionally, this position will support the program’s outreach and client engagement at community events.  This job involves frequent local travel to sites around the Bronx and other communities in New York City and requires some evenings and weekend hours over the course of the year. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position. All staff must be vaccinated and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

• • Provide individualized one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to low-and moderate-income clients.
  • Maintain ongoing contact with clients to encourage a sustained relationship with the program.
  • Connect Ariva’s free tax preparation clients with financial counseling and asset building opportunities.
  • Enter client data in a detailed, timely, and accurate manner in client management system.
  • Protect client privacy in compliance with contract requirements and Ariva’s policies.
  • Help unbanked and underbanked clients access safe and affordable bank accounts.
  • Help clients with thin credit files establish a credit score and support clients with a credit score to increase their scores.
  • Support clients in managing and ultimately reducing their debt, including student loans.
  • Provide clients with information and resources about savings for short- and long-term financial goals.
  • Connect clients in-need with resources and emergency benefits.
  • Connect clients with Ariva’s free tax preparation services and ITIN filing.
  • Participate in workshops and other live streaming events to promote financial counseling.
  • Serve as an advocate for financial counseling and build a referral system for clients, providing information to individuals who call in, walk in, or express interest in learning more at community events.

Core Competencies:

• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Cultural competency to work with immigrant communities.
• Well-organized, computer-literate, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with data management and data entry.
• Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
• Genuine interest in financial capability programs for low-income communities.
• Desire to work collaboratively with staff, partners, and clients a must.

In addition to the above competencies, any of the additional skills and experience listed below are desirable:

• • Experience with financial counseling and adult education and familiarity with consumer banking products a plus.
  • Experience working with recently arrived immigrant communities.
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Direct experience with financial counseling is not required, training will be offered to the right candidate.

Salary: $42,500 to 47,500/year. Ariva offers full-time employees subsidized health and dental insurance, generous paid time off and other benefits.

Contact: Please e-mail cover letter and resume to Adelaida Morin at amorin@ariva.org. This posting will remain open through October 15, 2023.

Seasonal; Various Bronx Locations; Part-Time or Full-Time

Currently accepting applicants to work tax season 2024

Position Description

We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with 12 sites, including four year-round locations. We help eligible New York City residents file their tax returns and claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 130,000 clients, returning over $216 million in total refunds to underserved communities.

All of Ariva’s tax program staff and volunteers are IRS-certified. All of our tax sites are sponsored by the IRS VITA program. We are now actively recruiting an experienced site manager to work with us as a site coordinator in the 2023 filing season. We need staff all days of the week, including evenings and weekends, and can offer interested candidates hours that suit their schedule.

Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position, and quality reviewers work in person at one of our offices. All staff must be vaccinated a and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Site Management

• The IRS has detailed requirements for VITA site operations. The Site Coordinator is expected to be knowledgeable about those requirements, including, but not limited to, the IRS 10 Quality Site Requirements and the IRS Quality and Tax Alerts.
• The Site Coordinator is responsible for tracking and safeguarding program supplies, promptly notifying the Tax Program Director when supplies are depleted, missing, or damaged.
• The Site Coordinator has oversight over all aspects of the site, not just the tax preparation area. The Coordinator must also oversee the Intake and waiting area and must coordinate and oversee any additional services offered at the site; typically, tax time savings programs, opportunities to open bank accounts if appropriate, free financial counseling
• A strong and positive relationship with our site hosts is critical to the success of the program. The Site Coordinator should be in close and regular contact with their host counterpart, ensuring a positive experience, not only for our clients, but for our community hosts.
• Daily communication with the Tax Program Director. Ariva depends on our site coordinators to be in continuous communication with our Tax Program Directors. At the end of each shift, the Site Coordinator should email the Director an update on the day and any issues that need to be reported, including any client complaints. In emergencies, or in the case of serious issues, the Coordinator should telephone Ariva central office immediately for guidance. These include any client related emergencies, issues with the physical site, and issues that slow or stop tax production, including a software crash or a shortage of staff for the shift.

Staff and Volunteer Supervision

The Site Coordinator has direct supervision over all persons at the tax site, both staff and volunteers. Duties include:

• Provide guidance and training to staff and volunteers as needed on the tax prep process, assistance in addressing any questions or concerns with individual returns.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers have required IRS certifications, and the volunteer agreements for each volunteer are on file at the site AND copies emailed that day to Ariva’s central office.
• Ensure intake is completed, returns are prepared, and quality reviewed according to IRS requirements and within the scope of staff and volunteers’ certifications.
• Provide particular support to volunteers, recognizing they are not paid but are donating their time to Ariva. We do not expect them to perform at the same level as our paid staff, and we want our volunteers to be happy and come back to us year after year.
• Supervise performance of staff and volunteers, providing guidance as needed and promptly reporting any performance or attendance issues to the main office.
• Ensure timesheets are accurate and that staff is not signed in before their assigned shift before signing off on the timesheet. Sign the timesheet after the shift.

Client relations Establishing and maintaining positive client relations is a central requirement of the Site Coordinator position.

This seasonal position requires some availability for training in early January. Regular work hours will begin in mid-January and end in late April. We have multiple shifts available on weekdays, day and evening, and Saturday and Sunday daytime.

Responsibilities

• Manage Ariva staff and volunteers in a manner that promotes excellent client service, efficiency, and a pleasant environment.
• Support a culture of responsiveness to client complaints and concerns, one which minimizes conflicts.
• Promptly report any client issues, problems, or concerns to the primary office
• Follow health and safety procedures
• Ensure the site and its visitors follow safety plans.

Core Competencies

• No particular educational background is required. (Site Coordinator need not have a college degree or any background in accounting or finance). But specific skills are essential to this position:
• At least three years experience- paid or volunteer- in income tax preparation
• Previous experience in the VITA program highly desirable
• Must pass all IRS required trainings, including the IRS certification exam at the Advanced level and the Site Coordinator training.
• Some prior project management experience and working in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment are desirable.
• Experience with staff supervision or volunteer management is also desirable.
• Excellent customer service skills are an absolute requirement
• Must be responsible and reliable. Staff must come to work on time and as scheduled
• Good computer skills for inputting tax return information.
• Detail oriented
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desirable

Salary
$23.00 per hour

Apply 
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org

Seasonal; Various Bronx Locations

Currently accepting applicants to work tax season 2024

Position Description

We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with 12 sites, including four year-round locations. We help eligible New York City residents file their tax returns and claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 130,000 clients, returning over $216 million in total refunds to underserved communities.

All of Ariva’s tax program staff and volunteers are IRS-certified. All of our tax sites are sponsored by the IRS VITA program.

We are now actively recruiting experienced tax preparers to work with us as quality reviewers in the 2023 filing season. We need staff all days of the week, including evening and weekends, and can offer interested candidates hours that suit their schedule.

Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position and quality reviewers work in person at one of our offices. All staff must be vaccinated and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

Using IRS approved software (currently Tax slayer), complete accurate quality review of individual Federal and State tax returns in an efficient and professional manner and as required by the rules of the VITA program:

• Ensure all returns are prepared within scope of preparer’s certification.
• Ensure intake process was performed completely and accurately.
• Interview client to determine all appropriate income, deductions and credits are reported on the return.
• Interview filer in person or by video conference.
• Verify that filer’s personal information (name, social security) is reported accurately on the return.
• Verify that banking information on the return matches the direct deposit form completed by the client.
• Request E-signature on e-file authorization forms.
• Ensure authorization forms are signed for e-signature as required before selecting return for E-file.
• Verify client received a copy of completed return in person or by email.
• At all times, adhere to IRS standards of conduct, including but not limited to, protecting client privacy and confidentiality.
• Follow health and safety procedures
• Ensure the site and its visitors follow safety plans.

Tax Return Preparation:

During particularly busy periods, Quality Reviewers, in addition to undertaking quality review of other preparers’ returns, may themselves be expected to prepare returns if the workflow requires it.

Core Competencies

No particular educational background is required. (Preparer need not have a college degree or any type of background in accounting or finance). But certain skills are essential to this position:

• At least two years’ experience- paid or volunteer- in income tax preparation
• Must pass all IRS required trainings including IRS certification exam at the Advanced level
• Knowledgeable about IRS VITA site tax preparation requirements (staff are trained in these requirements)
• Must be responsible, reliable and punctual. It is critical that staff come to work on time and as scheduled
• Excellent computer skills for inputting tax return information and communicating with clients remotely
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Detail oriented
• Good customer service skills, assisting all taxpayers in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desirable
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

Schedule: This seasonal position requires some availability for training in early January. Regular work hours will begin in mid-January and end in late April. We have multiple shifts available weekdays, day and evening, as well as Saturday and Sunday daytime.

Salary

$20.00 per hour

Apply: Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org

Seasonal; Various Bronx Locations

Currently accepting applicants to work tax season 2024

Position Description
We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with 12 sites, including four year-round locations. We help eligible New York City residents file their tax returns and claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 130,000 clients, returning over $216 million in total refunds to underserved communities.

All of Ariva’s tax program staff and volunteers are IRS-certified. All of our tax sites are sponsored by the IRS VITA program.

We are now actively recruiting experienced tax preparers to work with us as quality reviewers in the 2023 filing season. We need staff all days of the week, including evening and weekends, and can offer interested candidates’ hours that suit their schedule. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position and tax preparers work in person at one of our offices. All staff must be vaccinated and must follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Using IRS approved software (currently Tax slayer), complete accurate individual Federal and State tax returns in an efficient and professional manner and as required by the rules of the VITA program:

• Prepare tax returns within scope of preparer’s certification
• Ensure all required documents are completed and signed before starting the return
• Ensure intake process was performed completely and accurately
• Interview client to determine all appropriate income, deductions and credits are reported on the return
• Verify that filers’ personal information (name, social security) and banking information are reported accurately on the return
• Ensure return is marked for quality review by a 2nd qualified person
• At all times, adhere to IRS standards of conduct, including but not limited to, protecting client privacy and confidentiality
• As appropriate, consistently promote other resources available at the site that might be of interest to the tax filer, including financial counseling and asset building resources
• Follow all health and safety procedures

Core Competencies

No particular educational background is required. (Preparer need not have a college degree or any type of background in accounting or finance). Certain skills, however are essential to this position:

• At least one year of experience- paid or volunteer- in income tax preparation is desirable
• Must pass IRS certification exam at the Advanced level (training for the exam is available)
• Knowledgeable about IRS VITA site tax preparation requirements (staff are trained in these requirements).
• Must be responsible, reliable and punctual. It is critical that staff come to work on time and as scheduled.
• Good computer skills to navigate tax software and file sharing system
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Detail oriented
• Good customer service skills, assisting all taxpayers in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.

Schedule

This seasonal position requires some availability for training in early January. Regular work hours will begin in mid-January and end in late April. We have multiple shifts available weekdays, day and evening, as well as Saturday and Sunday daytime sites.

Salary

$18.00 an hour

Apply
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org

Seasonal- Bronx- In Person

Currently accepting applicants to work tax season 2024

Position Description

We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with 12 sites, including four year-round locations. We help eligible New York City residents file their tax returns and claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 130,000 clients, returning over $216 million in total refunds to underserved communities.

All of Ariva’s tax program staff and volunteers are IRS-certified. All of our tax sites are sponsored by the IRS VITA program.

We are now actively recruiting experienced tax preparers to work with us in the 2023 filing season. We need staff all days of the week, including evenings and weekends, and can offer interested candidates hours that suit their schedule.

The Intake Coordinator is an integral part of our tax team. They are the first person our clients meet and speak with, and they have the primary responsibility for ensuring a calm and positive environment while our clients wait to have their taxes prepared. They are very much the face of Ariva during tax time.

Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position, and intake staff work in person at one of our offices. All staff must be vaccinated and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

Intake duties

• Greet clients at the tax site and ensure they meet eligibility requirements for services and have all documentation needed to complete their tax return.
• Ensure full and accurate completion of all intake forms and written consents.
• Interview clients. Enter all required information in the Salesforce database and assist clients in completing the required IRS intake form completely and accurately.
• Review client’s banking /direct deposit verification forms for accuracy.
• Assign return to appropriate tax preparer based on certification level required.
• Upload the client’s file to a shared portal or tax software.
• Download the tax return to provide the client with a copy.
• Ensure E-file authorization forms are signed.

Site Management:

• Ensure the waiting area is a calm environment and complies with all IRS and host requirements, and maintains client privacy and confidentiality.
• Track and manage site supplies.
• Promptly communicate to Site Coordinator any issues in the intake process or waiting area.

Other Responsibilities:

• Follow health and safety procedures
• Ensure the site and its visitors follow safety plans.

Core Competencies

No particular educational background is required. (Intake Coordinator need not have a college degree). But certain skills are essential to this position:

• Must be fluent in English and Spanish
• Good customer service skills. Temperament really matters in this position. The Intake Coordinator must be friendly, patient and professional, able to manage a busy workplace with high client volume. At times, some clients are under stress; the Intake Coordinator must be able to assist those clients in a manner which minimizes conflicts.
• Able to multitask in a busy environment.
• Attention to detail with an emphasis on accuracy is important.
• Must be responsible, reliable and punctual. It is critical that staff come to work on time and as scheduled.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Good computer skills for inputting tax return information.
• Must pass IRS Intake, Standards of Conduct and Basic Tax Law online exams. (Ariva will provide training on this).

Schedule: This seasonal position requires some availability for training in early January. Regular work hours will begin in mid-January and end in late April. We have multiple sites with shifts available weekdays, day and evening, as well as Saturday and Sunday daytime sites.

Salary

$18.00 per hour

Apply: Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org