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Employee Profiles
Meeting Today's Career Challenges
Follow the links below to learn about a few of our employees with disabilities — how they began their careers at the IRS, and why they continue to work here.
Cory
Education Technician (Job Series 2005)
AWSS
15 Years
Background:
HS Graduate
Trade School Graduate in Truck Driving
I support a large in-house training facility, set up classrooms and audio-visual equipment, and maintain satellite broadcast equipment and classroom computers, as well as place orders for supplies. You could say I'm a "jack of all trades." In a way, I have 1,600 customers. They come to me when they have a problem, and it's usually a crisis and they're upset. I like to be able to say, "Relax. Take a coffee break. When you come back, I'll have it taken care of." It's a good feeling to be able to deliver on that promise. Even though I'm hard of hearing, I'm still good at communicating with people.
Prior to coming to work for the IRS, I was "bufferman" on a contract cleaning crew in the IRS office. An IRS Division Chief had gotten to know me — he saw that I always went out of my way to do a good job of anything I was doing. He heard that my company's contract was up, and asked, "Do you want to work for us?" The contract ended on Friday — I went to work for the IRS on Monday. Since then I've discovered that the people I work with are great to be around, and I enjoy helping them however I can.
I remember one particular day when I was asked to chauffeur the Commissioner of IRS — the top dog — when he was here visiting from Washington, DC. We were so busy all day going to different offices in the area that I didn't have time to get any lunch. Knowing he'd be very busy that day, I guess, he had brought one peanut butter sandwich for himself. When he saw I didn't have anything to eat, the Commissioner said he wasn't very hungry and insisted that I take half his sandwich. Of course he really was hungry, but that's just the way IRS people are, starting from the very top.
On the job, I participate in Black History Month activities every year. Outside of work, I spend an hour a day, five days a week, bodybuilding. I got into bodybuilding because of my mother. When I was a teenager she wanted to get me into something constructive — she said if I didn't do it, she'd send me to a ballet class instead. So I've done bodybuilding ever since. In fact, I was voted Mr. Utah Natural Drug-Free bodybuilding champion 1999, and in 2004, won the title of Natural Classic Overall Champion.
I enjoy working at the IRS because the people here treat you with respect and support you in trying to better yourself.
James
Computer Assistant (Job Series 0335)
Modernization & Information Technology Services (MITS)
18 Years
Background:
Attended Michigan School for the Blind
Central Michigan University,
BA in Business Administration
Lion's World (formerly Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind) — Computer Programming
I staff the Help Desk, resolving problems for internal customers on our Currency and Banking Retrieval System (CBRS) and TAPS systems. These tasks require me to use several pieces of adaptive equipment to do my job, including the JAWS system, which is Windows-based, with synthetic speech. I also use a Refreshable Braille terminal, a PowerBraille 80 and a Note Taker that allows me to take notes and then reads them back later in synthetic speech. IRS provides these and other assistive technology tools to me and about 500 other IRS employees nationwide through the Information Resource Accessibility Program (IRAP) Lab, in our National Office in Washington, DC. I had undiagnosed glaucoma at birth and was blind by the time I was 10 years old. Sometimes, people ask me "How do you know so much?" or "How do you do that?", surprised that a blind person can do so many things. I just laugh and explain, "I use my brain."
Making the choice to work for the IRS was relatively easy. I needed employment, and IRS gave me a chance. Now, I've really come to like the feeling of helping my teammates and our customers, and of contributing to the organization. I received a Manager's Performance Award, and in that they talked about my helpful, positive attitude in dealing with customers. The fact that I'm contributing, and also helping myself is important to me. It's the only professional job I've had, and I'm proud of my ability to support myself and not have to rely on others.
At work I'm on a number of committees, including Health & Safety, the Quality Program and Black Employee Programs. Outside of work, I'm a musician and I play an electronic keyboard for my church. I'm proud of my church — a bilingual, multi-cultural Pentecostal church. I also listen to a lot of music and keep up with what's happening in the world by radio.
IRS offers good opportunities for career advancement, job satisfaction and personal satisfaction. It has given me a chance to work over the years, and to expand my horizons.
Joe
Support Services Specialist (Job Series 0342)
AWSS
30 Years
Background:
Graduated from the White Plains,
NY School for the Deaf Community College,
with training in Mechanical Engineering
Having first worked with Grumman Aerospace on the F-14 project as an airline draftsman, I now work at the IRS as a project manager and space analyst responsible for two large offices. I'm charged with reducing costs through more efficient use of space. I enjoy my work — using state-of-the-art tools like AutoCAD software for architecture and space design. And, although I'm deaf, I continue to persevere, not allowing any impairment to prevent me from fully completing my assigned projects.
I initially connected with the IRS through the New York State Vocational and Educational Service, and it was a great job opportunity for me. IRS provides the tools I need to get my job done, and everyone here is treated with respect. For example, for several years I was working in New York while my fiancée was located in Memphis — it was difficult to maintain this long-distance relationship. Then, she was transferred to West Virginia, and so I requested a Hardship Transfer there, as well. It was approved and now we are together again and planning to be married.
During my 30 years here, I spent seven years as the Handicapped Program Manager for the Equal Employment Office at an IRS office in New York. During that time I helped to acquire additional TTY equipment, handicapped ramps and interpreter availability in several remote offices. I have also been instructing sign-language classes for interested employees. The most satisfying part of my job has been the feeling that I am actually helping people. I like to support my team and feel that I'm carrying my share of the load. I also enjoy the appreciation of the customers I serve.
What others should know about the IRS is that it's not just about taxes — we have many opportunities and many different careers.
Lynn
Computer Specialist (Job Series 2210)
Modernization & Information Technology Services (MITS)
21 Years
Background:
BA at Cleveland State University
Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (Lion's World) — Computer Programming
I monitor, analyze, modify and pilot computer applications, including those for telephone call sites and for ordering transcripts. This typically occurs throughout April of each year, followed by several months of testing before going live in January for the next filing season. I'm always busy changing and improving applications so I must always have a forward-thinking orientation focused on making things better for our taxpayer customers. But what stands out for me most are the wonderful people I've worked with over the years.
I have partial vision, stemming from damage to my optic nerves at birth, so I use various tools to do my job — for example, a small scope I carry with me. I also use something called Zoom-Text to magnify my computer screen. The assistive equipment available today is so much better than when I first started this job — and the makers of the equipment are keeping up with the software vendors like Microsoft, so there's very little delay now between when new software comes on the market and when I can access it. And, IRS is always willing to work with me and get the equipment I need to work as an equal.
Before joining the IRS, I had been trained as, and wanted to be, a programmer. IRS had a cooperative relationship with Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (now Lion's World) and offered me a job shortly after I graduated. Every day, since I don't drive, I commute by bus for a total of four hours roundtrip. I do it because my career here makes me feel like I'm productive and contributing to society.
I'm a marathon runner — in fact I ran in the 1998 Boston Marathon and finished first in the visually impaired division. One day at work a few weeks after that I was invited to attend what I thought was a routine meeting, and was shocked when I walked into the room and was met with a standing ovation by a couple hundred of my co-workers. They gave me a jacket and screened a news report about me just completed by our local ABC affiliate. I was so moved — but that's the kind of people they are. Today, I still enjoy running and I do winter sports. I'm also a vice-president of the American Council for the Blind, which is an advocacy group that lobbies for the rights of the visually impaired.
The benefits of working for the IRS are terrific, and there are a lot of different job opportunities, as well as lots of chances to grow — for example, my boss first started at IRS as a clerk, and now he's a manager.
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