Positions
CEP volunteers make a difference by helping Illinois families move toward financial security. Whether you want to work directly with clients or behind the scenes, there is a place for you!
Click on any of the following opportunities for more information:
Tax Preparer
Work one-on-one with tax site clients, preparing federal and state income tax returns and providing basic counseling on tax law and credits.
Time Commitment
Volunteers are asked to volunteer a total of 20 hours or more from January to April after completing training. Scheduling is flexible; sites generally operate on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
Training
Training for new volunteers is offered in January and generally takes about 12 hours.
Required Skills
No tax experience is necessary. Basic computer proficiency is helpful.
Next Steps
Registration for the 2013 tax season is now closed. Please contact the Volunteer Engagement department via email or at (312) 630-0288 x 1 with questions.
Tax Site Assistant
Aid in the overall flow of tax sites by helping with administrative activities, including client intake and outtake, copying and filing documents and child care. Site managers determine volunteer roles depending on the needs at each site.
Time Commitment
Volunteers are asked to volunteer a total of 20 hours or more from January to April after completing training. Scheduling is flexible; sites generally operate on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
Training
Training for new volunteers is offered in January and generally takes about 5 hours.
Required Skills
No prior experience is necessary.
Next Steps
Registration for the 2013 tax season is now closed. Please contact the Volunteer Engagement department via email or at (312) 630-0288 x 1 for questions.
Financial Coach
Coaches work one-on-one with low-income adults to provide instruction and guidance on participant-selected goals related to building savings, reducing debt, and understanding and improving credit. Coaches primarily meet with participants at scheduled workshops and may have the opportunity to schedule follow-up one-on-one coaching sessions to help participants meet long-term goals.
Time Commitment
Volunteers are asked to commit to coaching at two workshops per month for at least one year, completing tracking paperwork, and attending ongoing training webinars. The estimated time commitment is eight hours per month. Upon application, volunteers choose from daytime or evening sessions on weekdays.
Training
Volunteers attend a full-day training and attend a one hour webinar each month.
Required Skills
We are looking for volunteers that demonstrate empathy, an understanding of the financial challenges facing low-income adults, and a willingness to learn how to coach people on goals related to savings, debt, and credit.
Next Steps
New opportunities for financial coaches will be offered in about a year. Please contact the Volunteer Engagement department via email or at (312) 630-0288 x 1 to find out when the next round of applications begins.
Office Volunteer
Support CEP’s mission behind the scenes. Projects are available on an as-needed basis and may include data entry, mailings, research and more.
Time Commitment
Time commitment is flexible and may be as little as 2-3 hours one time; we ask that volunteers complete projects to which they have committed. Telecommuting may be available for volunteers outside the Chicagoland area for certain projects.
Training
On-the-job training and special sessions are provided as needed.
Required Skills
No prior experience is necessary.
Next Steps
Please note that office volunteers must register with an email address to receive any communications from CEP. Sign up as an office volunteer using our online registration system; you will receive our monthly email newsletter, where we share current opportunities.
Tax Representative
Represent low-income clients on federal and state income tax issues.
Time Commitment
Time commitment is flexible, and telecommuting is available. Volunteers may complete cases from their home or office and can take on cases according to their availability.
Training
On-the-job training and special sessions are provided as needed.
Required Skills
CPAs, attorneys and Enrolled Agents are able to take cases. Other volunteers may help out with administrative activities; the only requirement for administrative assistance is a willingness to learn.
Next Steps
We are accepting new tax representatives. For more information, email volunteer@economicprogress.org.
Questions? Contact the Volunteer Engagement department via email or at (312) 630-0288.