Economic Empowerment Specialist (Temp)

WHY WE NEED YOU

Financial instability is often the barrier that keeps wealth from ever taking hold for low-income Angelenos. UWGLA’s strategic plan commits to connecting 25,000+ residents to economic empowerment services over three years, with 10,000 households increasing their income or financial stability. In Year 1, a core part of that work is putting money back in families’ pockets through utility relief, emergency assistance, and free tax preparation.

As our Economic Empowerment Specialist, you’ll run three programs that do exactly that. You will manage the Utility Assistance Program (UAP) with SoCal Gas, Southern California Edison, and a network of about 100 community partners. You will launch tax preparation at partner community college campuses, where student parents and foster youth often miss out on credits they’re owed. And you will keep UWGLA ready to move quickly on the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) when new funding arrives. The role suits someone who is as comfortable sitting with a student at a tax site as working through a partner’s compliance issue. As UWGLA grows its benefits navigation work, it may also expand in that direction.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Utility Assistance Program Operations

• Own day-to-day UAP administration as the primary contact for utility partners, the iPartner platform vendor, and partner agencies
• Review applications in iPartner and approve or deny funding against program eligibility and allocation guidelines
• Resolve application, compliance, and system issues with partners and utilities, and escalate recurring problems with recommended fixes
• Track UAP spending against allocations and report status to Finance [monthly]

Partner Network Growth & Compliance

• Deliver annual compliance training and ongoing technical assistance so partner agencies administer funds within program rules
• Map gaps in partner coverage, then recruit and onboard agencies in underserved areas of LA County
• Develop partner-facing guides, FAQs, and training materials that reduce application errors and repeat questions
• Monitor partner performance and flag agencies that need corrective action

Campus VITA Tax Preparation

• Prepare free tax returns at partner community college campuses during tax season, prioritizing student parents and current and former foster youth
• Plan outreach with campus Basic Needs Centers to connect eligible students to tax preparation and the credits they qualify for
• Coordinate site logistics and scheduling across multiple campuses
• Recruit, train, and schedule VITA volunteers, partnering with [Development / Engagement] to draw on workplace donors and financial services employees

EFSP Grant Stewardship & Readiness

• Complete reporting for current EFSP grant phases and keep relationships with existing grantees active
• Maintain working knowledge of national EFSP policies so UWGLA can launch quickly when funding is awarded
• When funding resumes, coordinate the grant cycle: Local Board meetings, grantee onboarding, compliance training, and technical assistance

Program Data, Reporting & Records

• Own impact tracking across UAP, VITA, and EFSP (households assisted, returns filed, credits and refunds returned) against Economic Empowerment and Education & Workforce Access KPIs
• Draft program sections of funder and grant reports
• Maintain accurate, confidential program records that meet funder and audit requirements
• Surface trends in program data, such as unmet need by geography, to shape partner recruitment and program improvements

SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED (The Must-Haves)

Education & Experience
• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.  
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in program administration, benefits access, financial services, direct service, or a related area. 

Personal Qualities & Competencies 

• You enjoy a hybrid environment that includes both in-person and remote work styles and are able to work from our DTLA office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and additional days as needed.
• You understand the value of racial equity as an organizational operating principle and are committed to continued learning on issues related to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• You are curious about emerging technology and artificial intelligence and always looking for practical ways to apply new tools to work smarter and drive greater impact. 
• You bring a genuine service orientation and enjoy working directly with partners, students, and volunteers as much as the administrative work behind them.
• You stay organized across multiple programs with competing timelines, so deadlines and details don’t slip.
• You’re a steady problem solver who can work through an issue with a partner agency or utility and see it to resolution.
• Your attention to detail keeps eligibility decisions, records, and spending reports accurate.
• You’re comfortable with data systems, including databases, case or grants management platforms, and Microsoft Office.
• You handle confidential information with discretion.
• You can travel within LA County.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE A FIT (The Nice-to-Haves)

• You’ve worked with VITA, IRS tax preparation, or financial coaching programs.
• You know utility assistance, EFSP, or other emergency financial relief programs.
• You’ve recruited, trained, or managed volunteers.
• You understand public benefits such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
• You have experience serving community college students, low-income families, or other priority populations.
• You’re bilingual in English and Spanish or another language widely spoken in LA County.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) temporary assignment beginning as soon as possible with an anticipated end date of April 30, 2027. The pay rate is $35.00-$37.00 hourly.