VITA Tax Instructor

Easterseals • New York, NY

4d

About The Position

The Tax Instructor plays a critical role in supporting the quality, compliance, and effectiveness of Fedcap's free tax preparation programs. This position is responsible for designing, coordinating, and delivering tax law, tax software, and certification training to staff, volunteers, and community partners participating in the free tax preparations programs, including those through the IRS, and related financial empowerment initiatives. Working closely with the Director of Wraparound Services, the Tax Instructor ensures tax preparers, site coordinators, intake specialists, and volunteers possess the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to provide accurate, compliant, and high-quality tax preparation services. This role supports the recruitment, onboarding, certification, and ongoing development of seasonal and year-round staff while helping maintain compliance with IRS standards and organizational quality requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Human Services, Workforce Development, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in tax preparation, tax law instruction, VITA programs, or related financial services.
• Experience training adults in classroom, virtual, or workshop settings.
• Experience utilizing tax preparation software such as TaxSlayer or comparable systems.
• IRS Quality Review Certification required within first 90-days of employment and must be recertified yearly.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing training materials, job aids, and instructional content preferred.
• Experience supporting volunteer-based programs strongly preferred.
• And/or education or experience deemed appropriate by the agency.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate in-person and virtual tax training for staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Deliver IRS-certified training programs covering Basic, Advanced, and specialty tax preparation topics.
• Facilitate hands-on training utilizing approved tax preparation software and related technology platforms.
• Conduct intake, quality review, site coordinator, and customer service training for program staff and volunteers.
• Train staff and volunteers on IRS standards related to taxpayer confidentiality, ethics, due diligence, and quality requirements.
• Adapt instructional methods to meet the needs of participants with varying levels of tax preparation experience.
• Support evening and weekend training schedules during peak tax season as needed.
• Develop, update, and maintain training materials, facilitator guides, job aids, quizzes, and reference tools.
• Create supplemental training materials addressing state-specific tax requirements and program procedures.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify training gaps and implement targeted learning solutions.
• Regularly review IRS updates and tax law changes to ensure all training materials remain accurate and current.
• Design and implement refresher trainings throughout the tax season to address emerging trends and quality concerns.
• Recommend training enhancements based on participant feedback, audit findings, and program performance data.
• Support volunteer and staff onboarding activities to ensure readiness for tax season.
• Track certification progress and ensure all staff and volunteers successfully complete required IRS certifications before providing services.
• Monitor participant completion rates and provide coaching to individuals experiencing certification challenges.
• Maintain training records and certification documentation in accordance with IRS and organizational requirements.
• Assist with volunteer retention efforts by fostering a positive and supportive learning environment.
• Serve as a technical resource for staff and volunteers regarding tax law, software functionality, and filing procedures.
• Provide post-training technical assistance and coaching throughout the tax season.
• Assist in resolving tax return rejections, complex filing situations, and quality concerns.
• Conduct observations of tax preparation activities and provide corrective coaching when needed.
• Partner with leadership to identify recurring errors and develop corrective training interventions.
• Support quality review initiatives to ensure accuracy and compliance with IRS standards.
• Maintain accurate records of training attendance, certification completion, coaching activities, and technical assistance provided.
• Support reporting requirements related to volunteer readiness, certification status, and training outcomes.
• Ensure all training activities comply with IRS VITA guidelines and organizational policies.
• Monitor training participation and proactively address barriers to successful completion.
• Assist with audits, monitoring visits, and quality assurance reviews as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level