Case Advocate College Aide

NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service.

The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate is seeking a graduate or law student to serve as Case Advocate College Aide. This is a hands-on opportunity to work directly with practicing attorneys on real cases affecting NYC taxpayers, while gaining exposure to both individual case advocacy and systemic policy work.

The Office handles case advocacy and systemic problem resolution involving NYC business and excise taxes, property taxes, rent freeze programs, deed theft, and other NYC tax matters — offering interns broad exposure to how tax policy plays out in practice.

Under the supervision of the Taxpayer Advocate or the Attorney Advisor, the selected candidate’s duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Assisting Case Advocates in researching and investigating the facts of active cases.
• Researching policy issues and underlying systemic problems.
• Interview taxpayers to understand their tax situations, answer questions about notices, bills, and other correspondence, and help resolve inquiries.

Additional Information: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Candidate must be able to commit at least one full day in the office each week, totaling approximately 14 hours per week if possible.

Minimum Qualifications

For Assignment Level I: Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school.

For Assignment Level II (Information Technology): Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or closely related field, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

For Assignment Level III (Information Technology Fellow): Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or other area relevant to the information technology project(s) assigned, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study. Appointments to this Assignment Level will be made by the Technology Steering Committee through the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

SPECIAL NOTE Maximum tenure for all Assignment Levels in the title of College Aide is 6 years. No student shall be employed more than half-time in any week in which classes in which the student is enrolled are in session. Students may be employed full-time during their vacation periods.

Preferred Skills

• Strong writing and legal research skills.
• Strong time management and ability to meet project deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to navigate difficult conversations with frustrated or upset taxpayers.
• Law student preferred.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.