The IRS Is Taking a Maverick’s Approach to Recruitment

<p>In the ceaseless churn of bureaucratic hiring, the IRS is jumping into
2024 with a surprising spirit of innovation. </p><p>With a target of recruiting a whopping <a href="https://federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2023/04/irs-plans-for-30000-new-hires-by-end-of-fy-2024-to-replace-aging-workforce/">20,000
new staff by the close of fiscal 2024</a>, Traci DiMartini, the IRS’ human
capital officer, is on a mission, armed with a bold strategy and a budget that’ll
make the accountants dance, according to the Federal News Network. Brace yourself as the <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/tag/irs/">American tax authority</a>
unveils its recruitment saga, a tale where traditional meets telework, and
auditors emerge as unlikely heroes.</p><p>The IRS is Using “Every Tool” in the Toolbox</p><p>In the quest for the dream team, DiMartini boldly declares, that “every
tool that is available to us” shall be employed. Picture this: direct hire
authority, recruitment fiestas, social media jazz-ups, veteran and military
spouse benefits, and a dash of early-career charm via the Pathways Program. It's a sure fire way to grab people's attention. But wait, there's more! A
telework-friendly haven, a remote work pilot, student loan repayment
enticements – in 2023 the agency repaid over $50 million in loans -, and golden
carrots for accountants. The IRS is not just recruiting, it’s going fishing
with some incredible bait.</p><blockquote><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Find out more about jobs available and how you can be a part of our agency. For more information, visit <a href="https://t.co/5pDyMrn1gt">https://t.co/5pDyMrn1gt</a>. <a href="https://t.co/iSYCi8kjGZ">pic.twitter.com/iSYCi8kjGZ</a></p>— IRS Recruitment #IRSjobs (@RecruitmentIRS) <a href="https://twitter.com/RecruitmentIRS/status/1740735334038532541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2023</a></blockquote><p>The Bounty from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)</p><p>Flush with a cool $60 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA),
the IRS is on this spree after a decade of fiscal famine. DiMartini declares,
"This is truly a time of transformational change," as the funds
breathe life into the IRS's withered resources. The IRA windfall is a phoenix
moment, especially as the agency braces for a wave of retirements.</p><p>Auditors, USA Staffing, and Engagement</p><p>DiMartini's playbook goes beyond the conventional; it’s a script
borrowed from her successful stints at the General Services Administration. In
the IRS’s quest for auditors, she throws down the gauntlet: "If you know
where all the accountants are hiding across the United States, I want all of
them," she said. As part of the process, subject-matter experts take the
stage, ensuring that those recruited not only have a passion for civil service,
but also wield the technical prowess the IRS needs.</p><p>The recruitment saga continues with a revamp of USA Staffing, a program
run by the Office of Personnel Management that manages application and
employment data for many agencies. The IRS is adding a tech-savvy touch by
embracing the use of text messages to deliver real-time updates to applicants. While
those of us in the private sector might raise their eyebrows at SMS use being a
talking point, when the <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/trending/the-irs-to-go-snooping-with-ai-super-sleuths/">agency
was recently bigging up its use of AI</a>…</p><p>Alongside new hires, the agency is also taking a look at retention,
with DiMartini and her team “looking for avenues to improve employee engagement
among the current workforce”.</p><p>It certainly seems like exciting times for the IRS. We just hope they’ve
got enough calculators stashed away to cope with the sudden influx.</p>

This article was written by Louis Parks at www.financemagnates.com.