VITA Welcome Specialist
VITA Welcome Specialist
Catholic Charities manages an IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.
The site provides tax return preparation (at no cost) for low- and moderate-income families
on Saturdays from February 1 through April 15. Operating hours for the Catholic Charities
VITA site at 924 G Street, NW, Washington, DC are 8:00am to 5:00pm. The VITA program is
regarded as an important entry point to the full suite of financial literacy services offered by
Catholic Charities.
Welcome Specialists are the first point of contact for VITA clients. The Welcome Specialist
role is perfect for volunteers who enjoy communicating with others. No tax expertise
necessary!
Volunteers will be responsible for:
• Welcoming clients with a sense of hospitality as they enter the office.
• Verifying client identification documents, e.g., driver’s licenses and social security
cards.
• Verifying that the clients have all required documents to complete their return such
as W2’s, Forms 1099, etc.
• Alerting a staff member if any of the required identity documents are missing so the
client’s appointment can be rescheduled.
• Utilizing an appointment list provided the Catholic Charities VITA Program to check
in each client when they arrive. If a client has not arrived by 15 minutes before their
appointment, alert the designated Catholic Charities staff member so they can
follow up with the client to verify if they are enroute or need to reschedule.
• Directing clients to waiting areas to fill out IRS Form 13614. When the client
indicates they have completed Form 13614, the Welcome Specialist confirms the
client has signed where required and then takes the client to the room with the Tax
Return preparation staff.
• Introducing the client to the tax return preparer as part of the handoff process.
• Making note of how many Tax Return Preparers are available to receive a client.
• Retrieving the clipboard and pen from clients at the end of their appointment.
• Preparing and ushering clients to fill out a feedback form on Chromebook laptops at
the end of their appointment.
• Kindly thanking clients for choosing Catholic Charities’ services before they exit.
• Communicating with other VITA staff and volunteers when tasks are completed
.
Qualifications:
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must pass a simple online IRS ethics exam.
• Must have clear verbal communication skills.
• Must have a friendly attitude.
Volunteer Benefits:
• Make a positive difference in the economic lives of the taxpayers you work with.
• The taxpayers who take advantage of the Catholic Charities VITA are always
appreciative of the time and energy of volunteers.
Volunteer Support:
• Volunteers are supported by Catholic Charities staff, senior volunteers in the
program, and professionals who provide training and administrative resources.
Time Commitment:
• Volunteers are required to attend a virtual IRS training session on ethics and pass a
certification test.
• The Catholic Charities VITA site is open on Saturdays from February 1 – April 15.
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least 6 four-hour shifts during this time frame
.
Location:
• Catholic Charities Hickey Center - 924 G St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 (just a
short walk from Metro Center and Gallery Place Metro stops).
Welcome Specialist Checklist
Administrative items for the Welcome Specialist to complete are:
1. Upon arrival for the morning shift, obtain the list of client appointments for the day.
2. Take an inventory of clipboards, pens, Feedback Forms and IRS Form 13614.
3. Place one feedback form and IRS Form 13614 on each clipboard with a pen.
4. Greet and check in each client – verify documents.
5. Alert Catholic Charities Staff of any potential or known no shows.
6. Once identity is verified, hand the client the clipboard with the IRS Form 13614 and
feedback form – direct them to the waiting area to enter their data on IRS Form 13164.
7. Answer any general questions the client may have and if a tax specific question, get
help from a Catholic Charities staff member.
8. Monitor the preparation room for count of available preparers.
9. Escort the client to the preparation room and introduce them to an available preparer
10. As a client who has completed the process exits, obtain from them the clipboard,
completed Feedback Form and pen.
11. Place a blank IRS Form 13614 and Feedback Form on the clipboard turned in by the
client as they depart the site.
12.Conduct a turnover with the afternoon shift Welcome Specialists to cover how many
clients are in the waiting area, how many are in the preparation process, any potential
or known no shows with afternoon appointments.
13. At the end of day, return the clipboards, pens and blank forms to the Catholic Charities
Coordinator.
