Maryland Community Fellows Program

The Maryland Community Fellows program is a partnership between the Maryland CASH Campaign, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and various Community Action Agencies (CAAs) statewide. The Maryland Community Fellows Program began in 2009 to increase the capacity of CAA organizations to offer asset building services as well as the capacity of students to deliver these services. Fellows primarily focus their activities in outreach and marketing about the Earned Income Tax Credit, free tax preparation, financial education, and individual case management. 

 

General Job Description 

 

* Research and become knowledgeable about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, tax laws, tax credits (Earned Income Tax Credit), and savings bonds. 

• Promote VITA and financial education programs on-site and throughout the community. 
• Conduct community outreach and increase participation among target families.
• Update tax preparation brochures and flyers and create additional site advertisements through marketing. 

 * Fellows must be certified at the IRS Basic level, at the minimum. Some sites require Intermediate or Site Manager Certification (this will be offered to Fellows once admitted into the program depending on site preference). 

 

* Work with CAA to implement a VITA site during tax season.

•  Support volunteer recruitment and assist with administration of VITA program.
• Greet tax customers and assist them in understanding and completing forms, applications and other documents required for VITA or to access public/private resources and services.
• Screen customers for eligibility of services and provide tax preparation.

* Implement financial education services through workshops and individual appointments.

 

Skills Needed

 

* Part-time or full-time junior and senior students currently enrolled in accredited four year institutions; Graduate students preferred.

*Excellent telephone skills and computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, internet).

* Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

* Must be able to work independently and complete tasks with minimal supervision.

* Attentive to details and comfortable working on multiple projects simultaneously.

* Ability to work 3 days a week at site location, totaling 20 hours per week.

 

Payment and Training

 

Fellows will be paid a $9,000 stipend. Training on tax preparation and financial education will be provided at no cost to the Fellows.

 

Site Locations

  

Placements are available in Allegany, Baltimore County, Carroll, Harford, Montgomery, and Wicomico Counties. Placements in Wicomico County may also include Worcester and Somerset County work.

The application package and further information regarding the Fellowship can also be found on our website www.mdcash.org.