Taxpayer Advocate Attorney Full Time

Taxpayer Advocate Attorney

Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote

Base office in Asheville, NC 

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Posting 

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton.  With over 100 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 300 volunteer attorneys, Pisgah Legal Services provides free services to nearly 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.

Pisgah Legal Services seeks an attorney with a commitment to, and passion for, the rights of low-income taxpayers. The taxpayer advocate attorney will work with other tax and benefits program staff to increase our capacity to serve low-income taxpayers on tax-related issues.

The Taxpayer Advocate Attorney will:

• Evaluate cases presented by low income taxpayers and represent them before the IRS on income tax-related issues such as examinations, audit reconsiderations, innocent spouse petitions, identity theft, return preparer misconduct, preventing/stopping levies, releasing/withdrawing liens, recommending and submitting collection alternatives, such as, offers in compromise and installment agreements, appeals, preparing Tax Court petitions and participating in calendar calls and settlement events to assist pro se taxpayers.
• Gain admission to the United States Tax Court, if not already admitted.
• Obtain appropriate credentials to represent clients against and negotiate with the IRS.
• Analyze and review changes in tax laws and regulations with emphasis on changes impacting low income and ESL taxpayers and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
• Support Pisgah Legal’s Health and Economic Opportunity Program, when needed, to provide legal advice to taxpayers, conduct tax law research for the program, and consultation for tax preparation event planning and outreach.
• Conduct outreach and community education to taxpayers and service providers to build awareness and knowledge of tax benefits and credits available to low income and ESL taxpayers.
• Maintain a caseload commensurate with experience and conduct client intake and potentially supervise/coordinate a special project or clinic.
• Conduct trauma-informed and client-centered interviews with a holistic approach to poverty law remedies.
• Maintain meticulous and contemporaneous records, and document all work in Legal Server case management software.
• Develop and maintain relationships with communities and other non-profit agencies, government officials, government employees, community leaders and others.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Provide all information and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Qualifications

• N.C. Licensed attorney.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal income tax law; experience advising and representing taxpayers on tax-related issues preferred.
• Legal aid or public interest litigation experience preferred.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity, commitment to equity.
• Commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, consumers, clients, board members, donors, community groups, member organizations and others.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently.
• Detail-oriented, accurate and organized.
• Ability to create, communicate, understand, remember, and carry out complex instructions.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Adobe PDF professional; experience with Legal Server Case Management software preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with co-workers and clients in virtual, face to face and meeting settings.

General Requirements 

• Available 8:30 am- 5pm daily, Monday-Friday, except NC State holidays.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Access to a reliable car with car insurance preferred.
• Available to work nights and/or weekends during high demand periods.
• Possess socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and ability to communicate with persons in crisis or under stress.
• Ability to multi-task and interact well with professionals, clients, and others.

Salary/ Benefits

Salary ranges from $51,819 – $98,297 depending on experience.  

Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.    PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe Benefits includes Paid Parental Leave, 12.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Full benefits guide available at: https://www.flipsnack.com/5de6a5a7c6f/pisgah-legal-services-2022-benefits-guide/full-view.html

To Apply

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs

PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.

COVID-19 Safety Information:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pisgah Legal Services has worked tirelessly to promote evidence-based practices across our entire organization. With this in mind, as of January 4th, all Pisgah employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine.   Employees who are unvaccinated or have an approved exemption will be required to provide verified weekly COVID-19 test results.  We currently have COVID-19 safety precautions in place.