Organization: Center for Economic Progress - Tax Clinic
Job Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $50,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience
Submission Deadline: 06/22/2012

Position Description

The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) is seeking an outgoing and highly motivated individual to lead our Tax Clinic that has provided free legal counsel and representational services to low-income families for 12 years. CEP’s tax expertise and years of experience enables us to provide services that simplify the complicated federal tax code for our clients and resolve IRS controversies and disputes with the Illinois Department of Revenue related to collections, audits, innocent spouse relief and employee v. independent contractor disputes.

CEP provides free tax preparation, college financial aid assistance, tax-related legal assistance and financial coaching services that assist low-income clients in accessing significant financial resources, improving their credit status and building savings. Annually, CEP staff and 1,200 volunteers provide high-quality tax preparation and tax-related legal and financial services to over 20,000 clients in Chicago and surrounding communities.

The Director will lead CEP staff, interns and volunteers to deliver high quality tax representation for our low income clients. Primary responsibilities include:

• Planning and managing all operations for the Clinic, including intake, tracking, assignment of cases, case review, and client representation
• Recruiting, managing and training pro bono attorneys to handle tax representation cases
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with local and national partners, including the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service and SPEC, other tax clinics, law and accounting firms
• Developing marketing and outreach plans to provide workshops and presentations to community-based organizations, law firms and other entities related to tax law
• Developing curriculum and delivering training programs to VITA site managers and volunteers, as well as the Clinic staff, interns and volunteers
• Supporting CEP fundraising by identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, contributing to grant applications and reports, and meeting with funders
• Representing the agency before the media to enhance awareness of CEP programs and broaden awareness of tax issues among various constituents
• Supervise a full-time attorney, student interns, and support staff

 

Position Requirements

Professional and Education Requirements: Juris Doctor; Licensed to practice law in Illinois

Job Experience: A minimum of two years of representing clients in tax court and collection cases, along with one to three years of supervisory experience. Experience in non-profit and low-income community tax issues preferred.

Demonstrated Competencies: CEP seeks a candidate with a high degree of initiative who is able to motivate and manage staff and volunteers. The ideal candidate will have some experience working with low-income clients as an advocate or advisor in some capacity. In addition, a successful candidate will have:

Outgoing personality:

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Experience and a high level of comfort training and public speaking
• Excellent writing skills – legal and non-legal
• Work well with diverse populations of clients and volunteers
• Display supportive and professional conduct in high pressure, fast-paced environments with multiple priorities

Specialized skills:

• Experience in budget preparation and planning
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office suite, contact management software)
• Basic knowledge of government benefits programs and some grasp of local social service delivery systems preferred
• Spanish language proficiency a plus

Physical Requirements of Position: Ability to work evenings and / or weekends as needed.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample by June 22, 2012 to:

Cheryl Travers, Manager, Human Resources and Executive Office
Mail: 29 E. Madison, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60602
E-mail: jobslp@economicprogress.org
Fax: (312) 630-0275

************NO TELEPHONE INQUIRES*************

Notes

Compensation and Job Benefits: To the selected candidate, CEP offers:

• Salary commensurate with experience ($50,000 - $60,000 annually)
• Comprehensive benefits package (with some employee contributions) including medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement, disability
• Two weeks paid vacation the first year and 12 paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule (37.5 hours/weeks); some evenings and weekend hours may be required

Attachments

Click on the link(s) below to open the attached files.
File Name	Type	Size
Director_Tax_Clinic_External_Posting_Final.pdf	PDF	98.7KB

Last updated: June 07, 2012