Volunteer Programs and Policies

Overview

Many cities, counties, and special districts have recognized the advantage of utilizing the skills of its community members in volunteer programs. Such programs can increase the quality and quantity of public services at a minimal cost, and provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute to the betterment of their community, creating a sense of ownership and pride.

Statutes, Regulations, and Other Legal References

• Background Checks, Liability, and Insurance:
  • 42 U.S.C. Ch. 139 (Volunteer Protection Act) – Provides limitations on volunteer liability for harm caused by the volunteer while acting within the scope of their responsibilities if several factors are met.
  • RCW 4.24.670 – Liability of volunteers of nonprofit or governmental entities.
  • RCW 43.43.830 - .845 – Child/Adult Abuse Information Act
  • RCW 51.12.035 – Volunteers (Industrial Insurance)
• Compensation:
  • 29 C.F.R. 553, Subpart B – Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to state and local governments volunteers.
  • U.S. Department of Labor Opinion Letter (2006) – Discusses what is "nominal" payment to volunteers under FLSA and what it means to be volunteering either for the "same public entity" or be performing "the same type of services" as a volunteer performing as part of their employment.
  • Snure Law Office: Memorandum to Fire Districts and Regional Fire Authorities (2019) – Regarding the use of volunteer firefighters and the taxability of the compensation paid to volunteers under FLSA.
  • Washington Department of Labor and Industries: Minimum Wage Act (MWA) Applicability (Policy ES.A.1) – See Section 5: Which employees does the statute specifically exclude from the protections of the MWA?
• Community Service Organizations:
  • RCW 35.21.278 – Contracts with community service organizations for public improvements; for more information see our Competitive Bidding Exemptions page.
• Law Enforcement:
  • RCW 43.101.200 – (Law Enforcement Personnel Training) Exempts "volunteers" and "reserve officers" from the requirement that law enforcement personnel must complete basic law enforcement training.
• Firefighters:
  • For a list of statutes, see the MRSC page section on Volunteer Firefighters.

Examples of Volunteer Programs

General Programs

• Bellevue Volunteering – Lists volunteer possibilities by category (civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and recreation).
• Bremerton Volunteer Program – Includes volunteer program policy, application, service agreements, and time sheets.
• Kirkland Volunteer Program – Includes ongoing and one-time volunteer activities in a wide variety of categories and city departments, and includes teen opportunities.
• Kitsap County Volunteer Services – Lists various volunteer opportunities including serving on county advisory boards.
• Lakewood Become a City Volunteer – Comprehensive volunteer information and includes a section on internships.
• Puyallup Volunteer Opportunities – Includes application form, list of volunteer opportunities in different departments, and other local places to volunteer.
• Seattle Get Involved – Extensive information on city and community volunteer needs.
• Snohomish County Volunteer Opportunities – Lists volunteer opportunities by program/department.

Fire Departments

• Poulsbo Fire Department Volunteer Program – Program includes positions such as EMTs, chaplains, and wildland firefighters.
• Port Angeles Volunteer Firefighter/EMT and EMS Responder Program – Details the required training to become a firefighter/EMT.
• West Benton Fire Rescue Become a Volunteer Firefighter – Includes requirements, benefits, and application form. 

Law Enforcement

• Auburn Police Department Volunteer Services – Has various volunteer opportunities, including fingerprinting, block watch, and public relations.
• Clallam County Sheriff's Volunteer Program – Includes application and volunteer handbooks.
• Lynnwood Police Department Volunteering – Offers several different types of volunteering opportunities, including citizens patrol program, volunteers in public safety, car seat technicians, and an explorer program.

Parks and Trails

• Clark County Public Works: Volunteer Program – Offers opportunities to assist with trail maintenance, park clean-ups, and habitat restoration.
• King County: Parks Volunteer Program – Engages volunteers in park maintenance, environmental education, and restoration projects.
• Mountains to Sound Greenway: Volunteer Program – Volunteers help with habitat restoration, trail building, and educational outreach along the Greenway.
• Pierce County Parks & Recreation: Volunteer Program – Includes opportunities for volunteering in park clean-ups, trail maintenance, and environmental education events.
• Washington Trails Association: Volunteer Program – Provides volunteer opportunities for trail building, maintenance, and environmental stewardship across Washington State.

Examples of Volunteer Policies and Manuals

• Camas Volunteer Service Handbook (2021)
• DuPont Volunteer Rental Points Policy (2011) – Allows organizations performing volunteer service directly benefiting the city (such as litter pickup on city-owned property) to earn points toward the rental of a city facility.
• Kennewick Parks and Recreation Volunteer Guidelines (2018)
• Mercer Island Volunteer Policies and Procedures Manual
• Poulsbo Fire Department Volunteer Program Policy (2011) – Establishes fire district volunteer program and position classifications; addresses recruitment, qualifications, reimbursement, background checks, medical examinations, training requirements, and more.
• San Juan County Parks Volunteer Handbook (2022)

Recommended Resources

• International City/County Management Association (ICMA): How to Build a Successful Volunteer Program (2019) – Downloadable manual covers topics such as expectations of volunteers, measuring volunteer impact, recruiting volunteers, and more.
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): Recommended Guidelines for Background Checks (2013)
• National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG) – Association for administrators and managers of local government volunteer programs.
• AmeriCorps – Federal website provides data and research related to volunteering in all 50 states.
• ServeWashington – Implements AmeriCorps programs within Washington.
• Fire Corps – National grassroots effort to help fire/EMS departments use volunteers to enhance their services.
• Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) – Works to enhance capacity of state and local law enforcement to use volunteers.