Job Description

The Legal Aid Services of Oregon Statewide Tax Clinic is seeking a full-time person to assist with the administration of its Statewide Tax Program. This position is funded for two years with the option to renew. This position will be eligible for partial remote work. The Tax Clinic, while housed in the Portland Regional Office, is a statewide program. Applications from people living around the state are welcome. Primary work location can be determined at the time of hiring.

Background

LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs focused on services to farmworkers and on issues affecting Native Americans. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems.

The Portland Regional Office of LASO serves a poverty population of more than 220,000. The office serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, a diverse service area requiring the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The Portland Office has adopted a race equity agenda to guide its work with clients as well as its internal operations. The office has a strong commitment to building an inclusive, diverse workplace.

Statewide Tax Clinic

LASO receives a grant from the IRS to assist low-income taxpayers with federal tax problems and associated state tax problems. This takes the form of outreach and education, direct representation, and systemic advocacy. The work of the Statewide Tax Clinic is important to the elimination and alleviation of childhood poverty in the United States. We work to ensure the fairness and integrity of the tax system for low-income, BIPOC, and/or immigrant taxpayers through a mix of direct service work, affirmative litigation, and systemic advocacy work.

Oregon consistently has one of the nation’s lowest Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) participation rates. The EITC is a tax credit designed for families surviving on low wages. In 2018, more than one in four eligible Oregon households did not claim the credit, collectively missing out on $84 million in federal dollars. The EITC is one of the most effective tools for helping working families meet their basic needs and improve their lives. Oregonians less likely to claim the credit are those for whom English is not their primary language and those who live in rural areas, are self-employed, and/or have disabilities. Because of this, the Oregon Department of Human Services has allocated funds to the Tax Clinic to help overcome this disparity, in part, through tax education and assistance to navigate tax systems.

Qualifications

Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable populations. Demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work as a team. Understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. Because the focus of the tax clinic is to serve populations for whom English is not their primary language, preference will be given to candidates who are bilingual in Spanish, or another language commonly spoken by tax clinic clients.  Though not required, the ideal candidate will be credentialed as a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or be eligible to obtain such credentials within the first year of employment.

Essential Functions

• Creating systems and developing processes to create a smooth and consistent workflow in the office;
• Assisting with compiling grant reports;
• Answering phones and screening clients for eligibility;
• Case handling duties including factual investigation, preparing documents, contact with the IRS on behalf of taxpayers, etc.
• Other appropriate functions when necessary.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work in an office environment including working at a workstation, attending meetings, etc.
• Use of computer and other office equipment during a 7-hour workday.

Salary/Benefits

Compensation is based on the currently negotiated union salary scale for a 35-hour work week. Placement on the salary scale is based on relevant experience. The salary range is $41K-65K. Additional compensation of $3600 for bilingual ability. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses.

Closing Date

Reviews of resumes to begin on April 17, 2023. 

We celebrate diversity.

LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.

How to Apply

Job Types: Temporary. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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