Case Advocate

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

• In a developmental capacity the incumbent provides assistance to the taxpayer in technical and procedural tax cases covering the full range of cases and issues encountered in the TAS office while concentrating on those with the most complicating or specialized factors. The Case Advocate represents the office in advocating these cases involving complications and specialized issues for the taxpayer with the IRS operating/functional divisions (OD/Fs) to resolve issues. Takes corrective action within TAS statutory and delegated authorities including development of cases for purpose of recommending the issuance of Taxpayer Assistance Orders.
• Performs specialized research analysis and necessary computations to make adjustments to taxpayers accounts that have specialized factors. Using highly developed institutional knowledge of internal processes solves vexing process and procedural problems of cases. Per the TAS/IRS service level agreements recommends adjustments as appropriate and initiates credit transfers payment tracers and computations to tax penalty and interest. Prepares manual refunds makes abatements and prepares and executes waivers to extend statutes within TAS statutory and delegated authorities.
• Confers with the taxpayer who has experienced a delay beyond normal processing time a significant hardship or where systemic issues have been identified and actions taken clarifying the basis of the complicating problem and citing applicable laws as necessary.
• Educates taxpayers and/or their representatives regarding tax obligations responsibilities rights and options including possible adverse consequences of decisions. Fully advises taxpayer of all rights and as applicable secures agreement of taxpayer to final decision.
• Provides guidance to targeted audiences in seminars speeches and workshops. The incumbent may be required to work outside their tour of duty (TOD) for this work. Provides in-house training and assistance to lower-level employees as necessary.

• Probationary Period - All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time your performance conduct and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor seek feedback and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.
• Government Credit Card - Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

• U.S Citizenship - Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Selective Service Registration - Males born after December 31 1959 are required to be registered with the Selective Service System or prove they are exempt from having to do so.
• Personal Identity Verification (PIV) - Must provide 2 forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
GS-05 Level: You must have 3 years of general experience 1 year of which was experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service.
General experience for this position must include:

• Analyzing problems to identify significant factors gather pertinent data and recognize solutions.
• Planning and organizing work.
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in government business or industry investigative work banking law accounting or other work appropriate to the position to be filled.
OR
You may substitute education for general experience as follows: Four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelors degree demonstrating the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university.
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying undergraduate education and general experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-07 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position must include:

• Advising & assisting others in order to explain issues related to meeting Federal tax obligations.
• Applying knowledge of business practices policies procedures basic accounting principles and Federal tax laws & regulations.
• Interviewing individuals and reviewing tax and bookkeeping records and returns.
• Analyzing systems using fact-finding techniques.

OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One (1) full year of graduate education demonstrating the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work such as accounting finance taxation business administration or other field from an accredited college or university.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) - Completed requirements for a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study. OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the final 2 years of the curriculum. (Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.) OR by ranking in the upper one third of the class in the college university or subdivision. OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Any society not included in the Association of College Honor Societies listing must ensure the honor society cited by the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. (Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.)
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying graduate level education and specialized experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-09 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position must include:

• Applying basic accounting principles examination techniques & collection processes to assist taxpayers in resolving tax issues.
• Communicating with taxpayers & their representatives to determine the nature of assistance needed obtaining information & determining its relevance to resolve tax issues/problems.
• Advising and assisting taxpayers in meeting federal tax obligations.
• Managing an inventory and meeting deadlines.

OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A Masters or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study demonstrating the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university such as accounting finance taxation business administration or another related field.
OR
Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree demonstrating the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work such as accounting finance taxation business administration or other related field from an accredited college or university
OR
LL.B. or J.D. if related to an accounting finance taxation business administration or other related field demonstrating the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university.
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying graduate level education (in excess of that required at the next lower grade level) and specialized experience.

AND

You must also meet the following requirements

• MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old or at least 16 years old and have:
  • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
  • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
  • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPMs Qualifications Standards.