Contact Representative -- Internal Revenue Service

Use your customer service and administrative experience or your bachelor’s degree (any major) to qualify for an entry-level IRS Contact Representative employment opportunity. Opportunities exist in multiple locations.

This Contact Representative position begins with comprehensive classroom training and on-the-job training. This means you do not need tax experience to qualify for the position—our training provides you with the knowledge and resources you need to provide a range of administrative and technical assistance to taxpayers.

As an IRS employee, you’ll enjoy all the rights and benefits of federal employment. At the same time, you’ll have that sense of public service, knowing that the support you provide to taxpayers will contribute to everything from funding domestic programs to the defense of our nation.

At the IRS, you will be provided with career development and advancement opportunities so your career can grow with your aspirations. Other IRS employment opportunities include jobs such as Revenue Officer, Revenue Agent, and Criminal Investigator (Special Agent). These types of jobs are all within your grasp, depending upon the experience you gain in the agency and any additional education that you might attain while an employee.

Contact Representative Duties

• Interprets and applies applicable portions of basic tax law and regulations and basic collection techniques and enforcement actions to advise, inform, assess, and collect taxes and associated liabilities.
• Researches and analyzes all available information applicable to specific and well-defined collection issues and takes corrective actions needed to close accounts.
• Contacts taxpayers and/or their representatives in response to IRS inquiries regarding a limited number of delinquent situations.
• Provides explanations to specific inquiries initiated by individuals, generated by notices, or internally generated assignments.
• Advises taxpayers of the enforcement actions that may be taken if they fail to meet commitments to file a tax return and/or pay tax liabilities and encourages voluntary compliance with tax laws.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required to qualify for this entry-level Contact Representative position. You will qualify for the GS-5 grade level based on your specialized experience and/or education.

Experience for the GS-5 grade level

You must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty that includes work in positions that involved frequent contact with the public and researching and responding to non-routine requests for information orally or in writing. The following are examples of specialized experience that may be qualifying and are not all-inclusive.

• Applying laws, rules, or regulations and written guidelines.
• Conducting face-to-face and/or telephone interviews (e.g., collection agency, telemarketing, customer service, sales) resolving problems and issues.
• Negotiating with others to resolve issues.
• Performing administrative and technical procedures using a computer to locate and review records and reconcile discrepancies.

Working with records, documents, or financial accounts applying established rules and procedures (e.g., basic accounting, issuing credits and debits, researching and/or adjusting accounts).

OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

Completion of at least four (4) years of education above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree (120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, or 2,880 formal classroom hours) or a bachelor’s or higher degree.

OR

You may qualify based on a combination of experience and education.

Salary and Benefits

This position’s starting salary varies depending upon location. Please see the How to Apply section below to access the official Job Opportunity Announcement and salary information. Employees receive the full package of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, which is a retirement plan similar to a traditional 401(k).

In addition, a recruitment incentive has been authorized foreligible, highly qualified applicants.The incentive will be $2,000 and will require a service agreement.

How to Apply

Click this site’s APPLY link to access the official Contact Representative Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) on irs.usajobs.gov, the federal government’s official employment site. You will learn exactly how to submit your application package, including your resume, an online assessment questionnaire, and possibly other documents. You will also learn about telework eligibility, U.S. citizenship, and other requirements that should be reflected in the information you provide in your resume.

Interested in other career opportunities with IRS? Visit irs.usajobs.gov to search for other IRS opportunities, such as Revenue Officer and Revenue Agent and Criminal Investigator positions.To learn about upcoming IRS hiring events and career fairs, visit jobs.irs.gov.