Social Service Provider

SUMMARY

The Services Provider reports directly to the Director of Social Services. This person serves as the primary service delivery staff for a largely immigrant and Spanish-speaking farm worker client base. The Social Services Provider provides services and benefit information to low-income residents and the community at-large. Working as part of a “LUPE team,” this individual is responsible for membership enrollment and services for walk-in clients.

LUPE has a sister organization, LUPE Votes, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although LUPE and LUPE Votes share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Rio Grande Valley, and nationally, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors and a set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, share their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

MEMBERSHIP & CLIENT SERVICES.

Ninety percent (90%) of Staff time.

• Provide walk-in INS and tax services, including client interview, intake & case management.
• Provide general social services that will improve the living and working conditions of immigrants, farm workers and other low-income families through professionalism in the delivery of client translation, (English-Spanish) interpretation, letter writing, and basic services.
• Maintain and process individual membership
• Preparing and filing documents
• Building customer relationships to promote and expand the organization

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Ten Percent (10%) of Staff time.

• Informing clients or employers on the tax preparation process
• Collecting relevant financial records, including pay stubs and income statements
• Inputting data from financial records into tax return software or databases
• Using applicable federal, state and local tax law to determine deductions and how much each client will pay or earn on the return
• Completing and filing tax documents with appropriate agencies, like the IRS, state and local government entities
• Immigration forms and procedures
• Notary services
• Participation in regional conferences/meetings as representative of LUPE

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Nothing in the Job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job description at any time, for any reason.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field in addition to experience working with low-income communities, preferred. A minimum of two (2) years of specialized training and experience in tax preparation, immigration and/or Latino issues.

• Familiarity, commitment and sensitivity to Movement principals and community issues.
• Strong proficiency in “English-Spanish” language; verbal & writing translation language skills.
• Combination of experience, education and skills necessary to perform work responsibilities.
• Sound judgment; ability to work with diverse clients and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with computers, including MS Word and Excel.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of workers, employers and the public. Bi-lingual/literate ability in English and Spanish is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a certificate as a Tax Preparer in the state in which assigned, if applicable. Must also be bondable. Should possess an EFIN for federal electronic tax returns.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

Must be open and prepared to be relocated to other LUPE office locations.

BENEFITS

• $9,000 per year in 100% employer-sponsor healthcare insurance (medical & dental) for the employee, spouse, and children under 26 years old (eligible after 3 months of employment)
• $8,000.00 death insurance
• 401K Plan
• Mileage reimbursement
• 40 hours paid vacation year one; 80 hours paid vacation years 2-8; 120 hours paid after year 8
• 8 hours Personal Time Off a year
• 10 Paid Holidays a year
• In-Service Day once per year, organized by LUPE to observe Cesar Chavez Day or self-organized alternative option
• End of the year bonus as appropriate
• Yearly salary increase as appropriate

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Rio Grande City, TX 78582: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person