Front Desk Volunteer - Application Form
About TAPS...
TAPS is one of the largest providers of free, face-to-face legal advocacy for people with income assistance, disability benefits, employment standards, and tenancy issues. Each year, we help over 7000 people in Greater Victoria with matters related to provincial disability applications and appeals, income assistance (welfare), employment standards disputes, residential tenancy disputes, and income tax services for low-income earners. TAPS also provides legal education and training through seminars, and produces a newsletter, TAPROOT, with updated legal information that is widely distributed throughout Greater Victoria.
About the role...
The TAPS Front Desk Volunteer provides reception support for TAPS staff. While on shift, this person is responsible for answering the phone, taking messages for staff (which are input into an Excel spreadsheet), and welcoming clients who visit our office. The Front Desk Volunteer receives extensive hands-on training and ongoing support that helps them assess the needs of folks contacting TAPS to determine whether their issue falls within the scope of our services and assign incoming clients to the appropriate program/staff person. For individuals contacting TAPS with issues that we are unable to assist with, the Front Desk volunteer provides community resource referrals.
Minimum requirements:
Front Desk Volunteers must:
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Live in the Greater Victoria region;
• Submit to a Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector search;
• Have aptitude in verbal and written English;
• Have a non-judgemental, compassionate attitude;
• Be comfortable using a computer (and preferably Excel) and talking over the phone;
• Be comfortable working directly with individuals who are often in high stress situations and experiencing complex issues related to poverty.
• Knowledge of local community resources is considered an asset
Time commitment:
Front Desk volunteers typically work one 3.25-hour shift per week during TAPS business hours (weekdays 8:45am – 12pm and 12:45pm – 4pm) with the option of picking up additional shifts when more coverage is needed. We do not require a minimum time commitment, but ideally volunteers will be able to commit to shifting regularly for 6 months or more.
COVID-19 information:
The TAPS office follows all workplace safety guidelines provided by WorkSafeBC to prevent the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19. This includes maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet between other staff, volunteers, and clients whenever possible, not entering the office while experiencing symptoms or after a COVID-19 exposure, and indoor masking. We require volunteers to follow these same guidelines while on shift. Our office is open to the public and we continue to hold in-person client meetings. Clients are asked to wear a mask when they enter our office and will be provided one if they do not have one.
If you're interested in volunteering at our Front Desk, please fill out the form below. This is not a quiz – we just want to learn a bit more about you and what brings you here! If you have any questions or concerns about volunteering, please email emma@tapsbc.ca.