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Tax Credit Advocate

Description: 

WNC Health and Economic Opportunity Program

Tax Credit Advocate (2 openings available)

Hybrid remote work schedule available: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote

Base office in Asheville, NC or Hendersonville, NC

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Job Posting

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton.  With over 100 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 300 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to nearly 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. 

Nature and Location of Position: The WNC Health and Economic Opportunity Program (HEOP) supports our mission in 18 Western North Carolina counties as part of a multi-year grant funded expansion of anti-poverty work within the broad areas of free tax preparation/tax credits and outreach/enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance.  Counties serviced include:  Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey.  The WNC Health and Economic Opportunity Program is designed to have long-term impact through two main priorities: (1) reduce the child poverty rate in each WNC county and (2) increase the insured rate through quality, affordable health care coverage in each WNC county. The program will work in conjunction with the entire PLS legal aid staff to support expanding free legal assistance to help a growing number of low-income people each year to solve problems related to basic needs, particularly housing, domestic violence, health care, and insufficient income. 

The Full-time Tax Credit Advocate position will support the WNC HEOP by educating, engaging, and preparing tax returns to assist low-income families in receiving child tax credits and earned income tax credits with a goal of reducing poverty and providing essential income to our clients. We currently have two openings available, one for our Northern region which services Buncombe and Madison counties and another for our Southern Region which services Henderson, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania counties.  This position will include travel throughout the service region as well as providing remote services by phone and virtually.   Both openings are full-time.  The Northern region position is based out of our Asheville, NC office and the Southern region position is based out of our Hendersonville, NC office.  A hybrid work schedule is available.  This position requires presence at onsite and offsite tax clinics within the service region.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Pass and maintain Advanced Tax Preparer, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, Volunteer Standards of Conduct, and Site Coordinator certifications through the IRS VITA Program on an annual basis. Trainings and support will be provided. 
  • Perform Quality Review, Intake and Interview, and tax preparation services for qualifying households through Pisgah Legal’s VITA Site(s). Program services may be offered in person, virtually, or a combination of the two.
  • Know and counsel WNC residents regarding the benefits of child tax credits, earned income tax credits, and Affordable Care Act advanced premium tax credits.
  • Provide tax preparation expertise to PLS VITA volunteers.
  • Identify and contact taxpayers who may have a “good story” when requests come from media.
  • Provide all information and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
  • Conduct community outreach for WNC Health and Economic Opportunity Program.
  • Travel to PLS counties within the WNC region. (Company vehicle available)
  • Attend PLS staff meetings and other meetings relevant to the WNC Health and Economic Opportunity Program. 
  • Provide referrals to appropriate agencies for taxpayers with grievances, complaints, questions, or need for other social services.
  • Provide documentation assistance to tax filers.
  • Screen/support 785 phone line as needed.
  • Attend tax clinics as appropriate and needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

 

Salary/ Benefits

Salary range is $36,327 - $67,953 annually depending on experience. 

Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.  Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.   PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe Benefits includes Paid Parental Leave, 12.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible employees, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Our complete benefits guide is available at: https://www.flipsnack.com/5de6a5a7c6f/pisgah-legal-services-2022-benefits-guide/full-view.html

 

COVID-19 Safety Information:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pisgah Legal Services has worked tirelessly to promote evidence-based practices across our entire organization. With this in mind, as of January 4th, all Pisgah employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine.   Employees who are unvaccinated or have an approved exemption will be required to provide verified weekly COVID-19 test results.  We currently have COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

 

 

Requirements: 

Qualifications

  • Passion for and commitment to PLS’ mission, values and vision.
  • Bachelor’s degree and one year of professional experience or equivalent experience required.
  • Prior work experience working with outreaching to diverse populations.
  • Prior tax preparation experience preferred.
  • Full-time: Available to work Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with flexibility for some evening and weekend shifts.
  • Must be able to pass the Advanced Tax Preparer and Site Coordinator tests for the IRS Vita Program within two (2) weeks from start date.
  • Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with clients who may be angry, upset, or ill.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
  • Proficiency in both English and Spanish languages (verbal & written) is preferred.
  • Possess a valid driver's license.
To Apply: 

To Apply

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs

PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. 

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 31, 2023
Organization Information: 
Pisgah Legal Services
62A Charlotte St
Asheville, NC 28801
United States
Phone: 828-210-3412