Volunteer Opportunities
Economic Developement Department Volunteer Needs
Program & Purpose of Position
Tax-Aide provides free personal income tax assistance and preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to those with limited English. The Client Facilitator (CF) works with the Tax Coordinator (TC) and performs receptionist-type duties providing an important first contact for clients and keeping service orderly and efficient.
Responsibilities of Position
In accordance with by the policies and procedures a CF:
- Welcomes clients and ensures they are helped in an appropriate order and checked off an appointment log or sequenced on the site sign-in sheet to be assisted by a Counselor.
- Ensures that each client has brought correct forms and documents required to accurately complete their tax return.
- Assists clients in filling out portions of the Intake Sheet and other required papers.
- Keeps information (such as waiting time) flowing to clients who are in the waiting area.
- Ensures appropriate production data is entered
- Distribution any appropriate literature to clients.
- Complies with the Confidentiality and Security of Taxpayer data document. This document is included in the Counselor Digest, Technology Management Guide, Policy Manual, and Extranet.
Time, Training, & Travel
The position runs during the standard 1040 processing season from late January through April 15th every Tuesday and Wednesday of the week. An average of at least one shift each week is required during this period. A typical shift takes five hours.
Training Required
Three hours of training by the LC will be required to become familiar with program policy, administrative matters such as site sign-in sheets, Intake and Quality Review Form, applicable site procedures, and orientation to the program.
Volunteer Policy
Volunteers will receive equal opportunity and treatment throughout recruitment, appointment, training, and service. There will me no discrimination based on age, disabilities, gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, economic status, or sexual orientation.
Education Department Volunteer Needs
All volunteer opportunities in the Ed. Department require a 3 month minimum volunteer commitment (except for Citizenship Mock Interviewers), one or more times per week. Classes run year-round.
For more information about the classes, job descriptions, and time commitments, click here.
Teach key information to pass the naturalization interview as modeled by a lead instructor. Available times: Monday-Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm; Monday-Wednesday, 6-8:30 pm; Citizenship TAs needed for Thursday and Friday mornings 9:00am-12:00pm. Limited availability.
Simulate the citizenship interview experience through guided questions that cover the English language skills required to successfully pass the naturalization interview. Variety of times throughout the year.
Teach key information to pass the naturalization interview over the phone. (depends on student availability)
Youth Program Volunteer Needs
Resettlement Volunteer Needs
Assist IISTL staff members in providing refugees with mandated furnishings and food upon arrival.
Time commitment is about three (3) hours per setup, between 9 and 4 pm on weekdays. Needs vary with the refugee arrival schedules; volunteers will be able to sign up each week as they're available in response to a weekly email & episodic sign-up availability. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Purchase food from a provided list at local grocery stores, using gift cards received from IISTL staff
- Deliver and store food in the home
- Sweep and wipe counters in kitchen and bath if needed
- Unpack, assemble, and arrange furniture as needed
- Unpack, distribute, and store kitchen, bath, and bedroom items
- Make beds
- Take photos of setup using institute camera (if requested)
Qualifications:
- Team player
- Ability to stand and move about an apartment for an extended period, carry groceries and household items often up stairs (but setup teams created with physical limitations in mind)
- Willingness to go into possibly unfamiliar, lower-income neighborhoods
Training Requirements:
- On the job training by experienced volunteers or staff
Ensure critical client data is entered into our client tracking system.
Time commitment: Varies but regularly scheduled for 2 hour shifts during daytime hours. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Receive data from resettlement team
- Enter data into the appropriate field within the client tracking database
- Report on progress at the end of the shift
Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
- Must adhere to agency confidentiality policy
Training Requirements:
- On the job training regarding use of agency equipment and navigation of client tracking database
Provide care and engagement for children age 0-14 while they wait for services or while their parents attend meetings at the International Institute.
Time commitment: Shifts are typically of 1-4 hours during M-F business hours; regular weekly commitment or as needed and available. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Watch children at IISTL while their parents are on the premises
- Communicate with children using gestures and very simple language
- Engage with children at varying developmental stages, levels of English, and acculturation to the US
- Model American customs, expectations, and use of materials, both for children and implicitly for any parents present
- Straighten babysitting room at the end of a session
- Report any totable issues of health, safety, or behavior to IISTL staff member
- NOT responsible for diaper changing, feeding, or keeping distraught children in the room
Qualifications:
- Patience
- A balance of tolerance and individual differences and ability to set and enforce boundaries
- Kindness towards children
- Must be 18 or older, or accompanied by a guardian if under 18
Training Requirements:
- Short conversation about IISTL babysitting rules and expectations
- On the job training with an experienced IISTL babysitter
Assist IISTL clients in navigating public transportation in our region.
Time commitment: Shifts are usually scheduled 2 or 3 hour shifts during M-F business hours; regular weekly commitment or as needed. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- With over the phone translation assistance, orient newly arrived clients to the Metro Transit system
- Take clients on the bus, showing them how to plan their trip, identify the bus stop nearest to their home, present their bus pass, identify their stop, and return home
- Assist clients with identifying the best route from their home to the agency or the best route to work from their home
Qualifications:
- Familiarity with using Metro Transit services
- Working cell phone
- Must adhere to agency confidentiality policy
Training Requirements:
- On the job training with IISTL staff prior to meeting with clients
Assist Client Services staff in managing administrative tasks associated with refugee reception and placement.
Time commitment: Varies, usually 3 daytime hours per week. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Follow process for copying, scanning, uploading, documenting, creating files, or other computer or paperwork tasks related to refugee resettlement
Qualifications:
- Accurate typing/keyboarding skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliable attendance
- Ability to learn new process/computer applications
Training Requirements:
- Will vary by task; volunteers are trained by staff member responsible for the work being done
Deliver federally mandated Cultural Orientation training to newly arrived clients.
Time commitment: Regularly scheduled in two hour shifts up to three days per week. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Delivery of Cultural Orientation curriculum in person to groups of clients
- Recording attendance
- Administering knowledge checks and recording client results
Qualifications:
- Ability to use printer, scanner, copier
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
- Teaching experience preferred
- Must adhere to agency confidentiality policy
Training Requirements:
- On the job training regarding use of agency equipment and navigation of client tracking database, revise Cultural Orientation curriculum, and working with interpreters
Assist IISTL donations manager in sorting, storing, and/or distributing donated goods for refugee clients.
Time commitment: Usually regularly scheduled 2 or 3 hour hour shifts during M-F business hours. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity. Online sign-up available here: Volunteer for International Institute of St. Louis with VolunteerLocal - simple volunteer registration.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Distinguishing between purchased and donated items, and between required household items and other donations
- Sort, fold, store, and/or distribute in-kind donations received by IISTL to newly arrived refugee families
- Gather assorted items to be distributed to new refugee families
- Accept donated items from community members as needed
- Some lifting/moving required
Qualifications:
- Strong sense of organization but willingness to accept an imposed system of organizing
- Tolerance for a constantly shifting environment
- Ability to lift and carry at least 5 pounds
Training Requirements:
- On the job training
Ensure critical client paperwork is scanned and saved correctly in IISTL's client tracking database.
Time commitment: Regularly scheduled 2 or 3 hour hour shifts during M-F business hours. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Receive client documents and scan to volunteer email
- Save the documents in the proper location within the client database
- Use agency naming nomenclature to ensure uniform document naming conventions are followed
Qualifications:
- Ability to use printer, scanner, copier
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
- Must adhere to agency confidentiality policy
Training Requirements:
- On the job training regarding use of agency equipment and navigation of client tracking database
Assist IISTL clients in scheduling appointments at the Social Security Administration offices.
Time commitment: Regularly scheduled 2 or 3 hour hour shifts during M-F business hours. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
- Receive client names from Resettlement Team Coordinator
- Call one of the local Social Security Administration offices to schedule appointments for new arrivals
- Report the location, date, and time of the appointment to the Resettlement Team Coordinator and the client's Case Specialist
Qualifications:
- Use of Microsoft Office products
- Ability to use a telephone
- Must adhere to agency confidentiality policy
Training Requirements:
- On the job training