VITA Program Associate - Yolo County Children's Alliance

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT

Yolo County Children's Alliance (YCCA) vision is to protect and empower children by strengthening families throughout Yolo County. We recognize that better futures for our children start by building thriving environments to live, learn, and grow. YCCA ensures everyone in Yolo County has access to the resources they need to build meaningful ties to their communities and each other. To accomplish this, YCCA has expanded on our foundational role as the designated Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) of Yolo County. Today, we serve as an inter-agency coordinator, building networks of support throughout Yolo County to deliver programs funded by numerous community and government grants, as well as individual donations. Our work focuses on three family-strengthening pillars: Family Support, Parent Education, and Community Collaboration.

ROLE IMPACT

Your impact as a VITA Program Associate helps YCCA in meeting the needs of the communities we serve by providing critical, free tax services at our Family Resource Center (FRC) which serves low-income families and individuals in West Sacramento with resources to support them and improve their overall quality of life.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VITA PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

You will work with the Family Resource team to ensure clients are greeted, screened and ready to file their taxes through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. Once clients have been screened to check they meet program criteria, you will assist them in the preparation of their taxes to ensure an accurate and timely filing. Daily duties may include:

• No prior tax preparation experience is required. We provide the necessary training to meet program criteria for tax law training, including the use of electronic filing software, to provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers
• Greet and screen clients to make sure they meet the VITA program criteria to participate in services
• Once approved for VITA program, assist clients with completing tax paperwork and verifying that all necessary documents are present for filing
• As needed, provide direct assistance with other resources offered by the FRC
• Must work YCCA sanctioned community events that assist in delivering program services to the communities we serve
• And any other related assigned duties needed to help drive our Vision and fulfill our Mission

CHARACTERISTICS & SKILLS FOR A CANDIDATE TO SUCCEED IN THE ROLE

Must Have Skills/Qualifications

• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills to multi-lingual and multi-level audiences, for example direct service staff, management staff, customers/clients, community-based organizations and agencies, and local businesses
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively and in a supportive manner within an interdisciplinary team, and culturally diverse populations
• Exemplary customer service skills. Consistently demonstrates professionalism, poise, tact, and diplomacy in interactions with others including in confidential or sensitive situations.
• Demonstrates good judgment, organization and prioritization skills and time management skills
• Familiarity with office machines (e.g. fax, printer, etc.)
• Self-motivated and able to work with interruptions

Nice to Have Skills

• Understanding of or experience with trauma informed care
• Prior working knowledge of CalFresh and CalWORKS government programs
• Knowledgeable about Yolo County, its community organizations, government agencies, and businesses a plus

Essential Physical Requirements

While performing this job, the employee is required to sit often and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate keys on a keyboard, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion, and to stoop, kneel, or squat, and drive on occasion. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At Yolo County Children's Alliance, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We're committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for our industry sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

County or State Required Documentation: Due to the nature of this role that may involve interaction with youth or require YCCA meet certain guidelines stipulated in federal and state funding, a fingerprint and background check is required.