Questions
How do I become a volunteer?
How long will it take to start volunteering?
What positions do you have available?
Do you offer internships?
Do you have weekend opportunities?
Do I need to send in a resume?
How do I log my volunteer hours?
Do you have volunteer opportunities outside of metro regions?
Can I volunteer for multiple positions across the organization?
What is the difference between a background check and a fingerprint clearance card (FCC)?
Can we volunteer as a group/family?
How do I become a volunteer?
Click on the “browse our current openings” photo on the volunteer page to view our current positions. If you’d like to apply for one of these roles, create an online volunteer application using "My Volunteer Page." Shortly after completing your application, you will be contacted by a member of the LSS-SW Volunteer Services team to schedule your phone interview. After a phone interview, volunteers will need to complete the following: attendance of a (virtual) Volunteer Orientation, submission of 2 references, agreement to the LSS Volunteer Handbook, as well as any background clearance that pertains to your role.
How long will it take to start volunteering?
Depending on the role you're interested in and the background check level that is required for the role you are interested in, it can generally take anywhere from two weeks to a month to get started. Taking our time ensures that you have a good fit and feel prepared for your volunteer role. If you already have a valid fingerprint clearance card due to work or another volunteer project, your onboarding timeframe will be even faster.
What positions do you have available?
You can check out our most current openings here.
Do you offer internships?
Yes, we do. Internship availability will vary depending on the time of year, the current needs of our programs, and the requirements of your school or internship program. Apply through “My Volunteer Page” to indicate your interest in an internship and a member of our team will follow up with you.
Do you have weekend opportunities?
We have some weekend opportunities, but they are limited and it will depend on the time of year that you are applying. If you only have weekend availability, please indicate this in your phone interview as it may limit what opportunities are available to you.
Do I need to send in a resume?
It is not necessary for all positions, but is always help for us to receive. We will add your resume to your profile if you send it to us.
How do I log my volunteer hours?
Volunteers log their hours on MyVolunteerPage.com. Current volunteers can access their homepage by clicking here and entering their username and password. Once logged in, click on the "Hours" tab and enter the appropriate information under your position title. Don't forget to click "save" when finished. Please contact a member of our team if you run into any trouble adding your service hours or logging in.
Do you have volunteer opportunities outside of metro regions?
Yes! Volunteers outside of metro regions can host donation drives, write cards or provide yard work services for older adults, or engage in advocacy work. We also have various roles throughout the year that can be adapted to be done primarily online, such as tutoring. We provide services across 4 counties in Arizona. To see if your area is served by LSS-SW, click here.
Can I volunteer for multiple positions across the organization?
Yes, you can. We suggest starting with one volunteer role. Once you are comfortable in your initial volunteer role, we will connect you with the supervisor from the other program(s) you are interested in volunteering with.
What is the difference between a background check and a fingerprint clearance card (FCC)?
A standard background check goes back seven years into the applicant’s history. The fingerprint background reviews an individual’s entire criminal history based on their fingerprints. The FBI database maintains a person’s record until the person is 99 years old.
A standard background check clearance is good for 1 year of volunteering and then will need to be renewed annually. It can be purchased online for $17.50 and typically comes back 24 hours later. A fingerprint clearance card is good for 6 years and costs $73. It usually will take about 2 weeks for your card to arrive by mail.
Some positions will require a standard background check and some will require a fingerprint clearance card. Please wait until you know which background your position requires before purchasing either type.
For further instructions on how to obtain either of these backgrounds please click here.
Can we volunteer as a group or family?
Yes! Group volunteer opportunities will vary by location and time of year. Many community groups and houses of worship host drives or action teams at their congregations. You can find out more about hosting a drive or action team here. Around the holidays, families or groups are needed to help with various activities. Year-round, congregations and community groups often work together as Welcome Teams for new refugee families.