VITA Assistant

Company: Interfaith Community Services
Location: Escondido
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: About Interfaith Community Services: At Interfaith, we empower individuals and families in need by providing essential resources and services with compassion and integrity. Together, we foster a community of hope, accountability, and dignity. Founded in 1979 in direct response to rising rates of hunger and homelessness in North San Diego County, Interfaith Community Services works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by Helping People Help Themselves. Interfaith is the most comprehensive nonprofit social services agency in North County, providing both immediate safety net services and long-term, life-changing programs designed to meet the holistic needs of people in crisis. Together, in partnership with 250 diverse faith communities, more than 650 recurrent volunteers, and a growing staff of over 200, Interfaith provides a safe haven and pathway towards self-sufficiency for more than 17,000 community members annually. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a service-driven environment, we invite you to be part of our mission! What You'll Do: In the VITA Assistant role, you’ll have oversight for their designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site(s); follow all operating procedures as laid out in the IRS publication 1084. Ensures all tax returns are completed and e-filed in a timely manner, and supports the overall mission of Interfaith Community Services (ICS). Local travel is required Oversees the daily operations of the site locations (Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, and Poway) and will support at the Escondido office Reports back to the supervisor on VITA volunteer progress and performance Adheres to all Quality Site Requirements as shown in IRS publication 1084 Ensures client files are secured, up-to-date, and complete Assigns a secondary VITA volunteer to quality review tax return; conducts a quality review after the secondary review Submits all tax returns to the IRS in a timely manner in accordance with IRS VITA standards Reviews, corrects and resends rejected tax files and pending tax files on a daily basis Ensures tax returns outside the scope of the VITA program are referred to a paid preparer Ensures all tax clients complete necessary documents and this information is entered into the designated database system Complete client exit interviews All other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor Requirements: Who You Are: You're passionate about making a lasting impact, whether supporting individuals directly or enhancing our organizational effectiveness. To thrive in this role, you'll: High school diploma or equivalent, required Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Social Services, or related field, preferred 1 years of VITA work experience, preferred Bilingual (Spanish/English), required Must hold a valid Advanced Tax Certification within 30 days of hire (per IRS Link and Learn and this training will be provided upon hire) SKILLSETS / ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with clients Knowledge of VITA program and familiarity with IRS tax laws and regulations Demonstrated experience managing multiple deadlines and working effectively under pressure, using independent judgment to produce quality work under time constraints Demonstrates experience working with a collaborative team Working Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) Ability to communicate effectively among a diverse workforce population and maintain sound working relations with all levels within the organization Work with the spirit of enthusiasm, teamwork, cooperation and a sense of urgency Maintain a high degree of confidentiality over all matters in the course of business operations, including client and employee information Ability to multitask in an efficient, thorough, and prioritized manner Ability to work quickly, accurately and independently • Ability to prioritize work and solve problems WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Must be able to perform work in an office setting Must have the physical ability to sit for long periods of time, stand, walk, and bend on a frequent basis Occasionally lifts, carries and balances objects weighing up to 30 pounds May be subjected to adverse conditions, including contact from hostile people Low to moderate exposure to contagious diseases (hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.) Low to moderate exposure of unpleasant and noxious fumes, odors, dust, temperatures, noise and inclement weather Pulls and pushes such objects as file drawers, computers and similar office equipment and supplies Prioritizes and multi-tasks work and projects, requiring good memory, concentration and analytical thinking Occasionally is required to perform the safe operation of a vehicle, office equipment and machines, and recognize and abate safety hazards within the workplace Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing frequently with a wide range of people from divergent socio-economic backgrounds and origins The noise level in the work environment is usually low This is a temporary position that will go through April Location: On-site with travel requirements (North County) Hours: Full Time: Tues-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm and Sat 8am-12pm Part Time: Tues, Thurs, and Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-2pm (no lunch) or Saturday 8am-2:30pm (30 min lunch) Hourly Rate: $22.00 EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Paid Time Off Paid Holidays – 13 scheduled Flexible Work Schedules Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance AD&D / Group Life Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts – Medical and Dependent Care Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan Early Release Days! Work Anniversary Bonuses Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) Home Ownership Assistance Program Casual Work Environment Professional Growth and Career Development Opportunities Interfaith is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, nationality, sex, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Interfaith will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities

Keywords: Interfaith Community Services, Apple Valley , VITA Assistant, Accounting, Auditing , Escondido, California