What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Empowerment Specialist position at Prince George's Community College?
Under the general direction of the Program Director for the Financial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community College (FEC), the Financial Empowerment Specialist will work collaboratively with FEC team members, other Financial Empowerment Centers, the Foundation, United Way of the National Capital Area, the FEC Advisory Board, and Integrated Service Partners to deliver comprehensive financial services that support the FEC’s strategic goals and objectives, the college’s strategic plan, and meet current and emerging community needs.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- One to two years of college credit (30 credit hours are equivalent to one year) or related certification.
- Three years of job-related experience
- Associates degree or higher preferred.
- Experience with the Volunteer In- come Tax Assistance (VITA) program and credentialing in the VITA standards of conduct, VITA advanced tax preparation certification, VITA intake/interview/quality review certification, and VITA volunteer agreement preferred
Criteria
CRITERIA: The following criteria, which are not the sole criteria used in the final hiring decision, will be used to review the applications of those persons who meet the stated minimum qualifications and to select those qualified applicants who will be interviewed. Other information and observations made during the interview process may be considered in the selection process. A Resume/CV and cover letter are required with the application. Please ensure that your documents address the criteria listed below for this position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Prepares, reviews, and amends Federal and State income tax returns with electronic or paper filings.
- Coordinates and conducts small group and/or individual financial coaching sessions.
- Facilitates and/or presents at financial workshops, seminars, and training.
- Completes financial coaching forms.
- Reviews and assesses client intake forms related to specific financial programs or services.
- Prepares complex listings, informational and statistical reports by determining required data, gathering and compiling data from several sources, comparing information to verify accuracy, and formatting data appropriately.
- Conducts quality reviews for taxes.
- Demonstrates ability to reference and leverage IRS 4012 Resource Guide and tax site supervisor, as necessary, during tax preparation.
- Informs the clients about upcoming FEC financial education workshops, integrated service partners office hours and services, and financial coaching program.
- Trains volunteers.
- Responsible for delivering financial education and services.
- Works in collaboration with the Site Coordinator to train volunteers.
- Performs related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of financial resources.
- Knowledge of financial education, coaching, programs, and services.
- Ability to deliver training in-person and online.
- Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Ability to maintain complex office records and to prepare reports from such records.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in accordance with established policies and practice
- Basic knowledge and some experience with tax law and tax preparation preferred. Additional training and experience cannot take the place of the minimum qualifications as defined in this section.
Job Requirements
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to a, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. No significant climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be able to pass exam and retrieve certification for tax preparation with the VITA program in the first 15 work days of the work assignment, including credentialing in the VITA advanced tax preparation certification, VITA intake/interview/quality review certification, and VITA volunteer agreement preferred, which will enable them to complete tax returns for clients with prior tax year (2019 – most recent Tax Year) requests. Furthermore, the Financial Empowerment Specialist must be able to renew certification for new, or latest, tax year changes and demands for tax year 2019 and beyond, as necessary for the prior year tax returns. The Financial Empowerment Specialist must demonstrate continuous improvement as it pertains to productivity with tax return preparation, materials and presentation requirements for workshops and financial coaching efforts.
- Weekday evenings and weekends on Saturdays from as early as January through April. Additional hours during the week may be required to oversee volunteer coordination and the e-file process
- Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written standard English.
- As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
- A background investigation will be conducted prior to the offer of employment. A signed authorization for the release of personal information will be required if selected for an interview.
Is Background Check Required?
Yes
Is the incumbent responsible for working with minor children or directly engaging with minor children on campus?
No
