Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Henry Street Settlement, one of the area’s oldest and most reputable Community Based Organizations (CBO) in New York City is accepting volunteer applications to serve community residents for 5 months (with an option to extend up to 10 months) in the implementation of our Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program at our Workforce Development Center.

Volunteers will gain meaningful work experience as benefit counselors and marketable skills as certified tax preparers that can be transferred to future employment opportunities. Additionally, Volunteers will gain valuable experience working in the non-profit sector, providing much-needed services to low wage workers throughout New York City, while working with and learning from nonprofit practitioners and leaders. In addition to providing free tax prep services, Volunteers will be responsible for managing day-to-day administrative responsibilities at the VITA sites.

Components of the program include monthly seminars and peer learning exchanges. Through the monthly seminar series, the Volunteers have an opportunity to examine critical issues facing low wage workers and non profits that serve them, such as benefits and work supports, job readiness and retention, and community outreach.

Volunteers will also be part of the growing EarnBenefits team at Henry Street Settlement through a collaboration supported by Seedco (Non-Profit Assistance Corporation), one of our funders. EarnBenefits is a multi-state initiative that connects low-wage workers to a wide range of income-enhancing benefits that have a proven impact on long-term job retention and asset accumulation. If you want to make a difference in your community, we strongly encourage you to apply for this exciting position.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Attend basic, refresher and/or self-study tax law training, including the use of electronic filing software;
 Successfully pass a certification test on required tax law knowledge;
 Provide high-quality assistance to all taxpayers. Directly prepare taxpayer’s return based on information provided by taxpayer or answer tax related questions;
 Submit regular reports measuring performance;
 Conduct community outreach to increase the awareness of benefits and work support programs that assist low wage workers;
 Provide benefits screening, application assistance, and follow-up services to help low-wage workers access and maintain benefits;

Qualifications
 At least a high school diploma/ GED, preferably a BA, and/or related experience;
 The ability to effectively interact and work with individuals with diverse backgrounds;
 Good computer skills and experience with database software;
 Reliability, ability to work independently and good decision making skills;
 Ability to deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner, including interviewing skills;
 Basic knowledge of government benefits programs and financial management a plus;
 Advanced math skills and/or experience completing tax returns a plus
 Excellent oral and written communication skills;
 Bilingual skills in Spanish or Mandarin a plus; and
 Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, as required;

This opportunity is sponsored by: Henry Street Settlement This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Senior Citizens Welcome We need volunteers who are free at these times Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Morning X X X X X Afternoon X X X X X Evening X X X X X Occasional Contact Person: Erika Figueroa, Assistant Volunteer Community Cooridinator, (212) 766-9200 x345, (email) View all organization contacts Address: 99 Essex Street New York, NY 10002 (See a map) Directions: Take the F train to Delancey Street. We are located right on top of McDonalds   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: F train,   Walk distance (in minutes): 1minute Details where opportunity can also be performed This opportunity can also be performed in these locations: Zip codes: 10002 Web Site: http://www.henrystreet.org Miscellaneous Information Borough Manhattan Volunteer Shifts M-F, 11am-3pm and 3pm-8-pm (Flexibility contingent on availability)