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

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 100,000 clients, returning over $100 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 and must mask, 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 (wear a mask if there is no shield on-site, social distancing, clean working area)
• 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
$22.00 per hour

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

Seasonal; Various Bronx Locations

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 and Child Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 100,000 clients.

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 must mask 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 (wear mask if no shield on site, social distance, clean working area).
• 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

Position Description
We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with thirteen 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 and Child Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 100,000 clients, returning over $100 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 (wear mask if no shield on site, social distance, clean working area)
• Ensure clients and visitors complete required health screenings

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

$17.00 an hour

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

Seasonal- Bronx- In Person

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 and Child Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 100,000 clients, returning over $100 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 (wear mask if no shield on site, social distance, clean working area)
• 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

$17.00 per hour

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

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 Yorker’s 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 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 mask 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 under-banked 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 in English and Spanish. (native speaker level) 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.
• Desire and ability to work with diverse populations.

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 Denise Negron at dnegron@ariva.org. This posting will remain open through April 10th , 2023.