Taxpayer Service Information Trainee

As a Taxpayer Services and Information Trainee, you will learn and acquire the skills necessary to provide vital assistance by phone and email to taxpayers or their representatives with inquiries concerning Personal Income Tax, Sales Tax, Employer Withholding Tax, Corporation Tax, Miscellaneous Taxes, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.  This position requires precision and accuracy to perform intermediate arithmetic calculations.  Excellent communication skills are essential in order to provide clear, detailed, and concise information to taxpayers regarding specific cases and scenarios.  The ability to proficiently navigate the telephone, computer systems, and general office equipment is essential.  We are looking for candidates who possess a strong work ethic and consistent organizational skills, as well as the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Office reporting location will either be at 393 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA OR 1825 Stanley Drive, Harrisburg, PA, dependent upon the location of the selected candidate(s).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time.  In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.  If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $39,785.00 (before taxes). 
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two (2) years of experience in the delivery of technical services and assistance to taxpayers or customers that involved the application of tax laws, rules, regulations, and procedures, and which included or was supplemented by one (1) year of direct public contact work; or
• An associate degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• This position will have access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is subject to the provisions of IRS Publication 1075 (Pub 1075) which requires you to pass an enhanced background check prior to beginning employment.  Under Pub 1075, acceptance of a conditional offer of employment will require submission to and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to: a fingerprint-based federal records check; a PA State Police clearance; a check of local law enforcement agencies where you have lived, worked, and/or attended school within the last five (5) years; and a citizenship/residency verification.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.  Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). 
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.  Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.  

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.  The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.  All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $39,785 - $59,384