Get Involved: City of Boulder

A Summer of Discovery - TEEN Volunteer

Description:

Apply to be a teen volunteer and participate in fun opportunities! Apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, deadline MAY 23. 

Promote a Summer of Reading and Discovery for All! Ways we need your help:

• Register Summer of Discovery Participants and Give Out Prizes: Host a table at the libraries to register kids, teens, and adults to participate in the Summer of Discovery Program and give out prizes. 

• Assist with Summer of Discovery Activities: Help with more than 45 programs for children, teens, and adults. 

• Optional: Write Teen Picks Book Reviews: Read teen books and write short reviews. 

See more information in the TEEN Summer of Discovery Volunteer application! 

Time Commitment:

At minimum of one 2-hour shift per week and helping with 2 program activities throughout the summer June 1 through July 31. 

Documents:

TEEN 2022 - Summer of Discovery Volunteer Application

BoulderReads Literacy Tutor

Description:

Partner with an English language learner for three hours per week to help them advance in their literacy skills. Adult Literacy Tutors must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be comfortable reading and writing, speaking and listening in English;
• Complete the BoulderReads tutor training;
• Commit to 3 hours of tutoring a week for at least 6 months;
• Maintain regular contact with learners and BoulderReads staff;
• Meet learners at library branches or another public locations; and
• Be proficient with email, basic software and web-based electronic resources.

Time Commitment:

Commit to 3 hours of tutoring a week for at least 6 months.

Documents:

BoulderReads Tutor Application

OAS Bike Group Leader

Description:

Duties & Responsibilities
• Reviews, uses and promotes Older Adult Services documents for age-inclusive communication

Primary Bike Group Leader:
• Works with Program Coordinator to schedule and market the group
• Serves as the contact person for Let’s Age Well Program Guide and Older Adult Services website
• Maintains a current list of group participants
• Works with Program Coordinator and group to update participant registrations
• Provides regular session attendance reports:
o Notifies front desk staff of attendance for groups that meet onsite
• Provides participants with reminders of meeting dates for programs
• Notifies participants of irregular meeting times and/or holiday closures which cancel the activity
• For onsite group meetings:
o Submits set-up needs and requests to Program Coordinator
o Responsible for participant waivers if not accomplished digitally/online.
• Other duties as requested by Program Coordinator

Assistant Bike Group Leader:
• Supports Primary Group Leaders for the duties listed above as requested.
• Can also act as Bike Sweep, ensuring no cyclist is left behind.

Desired Qualifications
• Experience working directly with people, with the ability to model the City’s values of customer service, respect, integrity, innovation, and collaboration.
• Good communication skills and patience
• Practice excellent customer service, patience, kindness, and communication
• Some experience working with adults 60 years and older
• Organized and reliable
• Basic technology skills

Time Commitment:

• Weekly or monthly commitment depending on group schedule: weekly bike ride, time spent each week to plan route and communicate with participants.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Engaging, socializing and learning alongside older adult participants
• Satisfaction of donating time helping others maintain vitality in life through social engagement and continued learning

Documents:

• Complete required trainings which include but are not limited to mandatory reporting of adult mistreatment and First Aid/CPR/AED.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

OAS Trip Escort

Description:

Duties & Responsibilities
• Reviews, uses and promotes Older Adult Services documents for age-inclusive communication
• Receives the registration list of participants from Program Coordinator and tracks attendance for scheduled day trips.
• Coordinates participant signatures on waivers and returns completed waivers to Program Coordinator.
• Guides participants through the trip location for the duration of the trip.
• Responds to special needs and/or emergencies with participants; documents any accidents or incidents using designated forms and submits completed forms to Program Coordinator.
• Promotes future trips and programs with trip participants.
• Maintains positive, flexible attitude and is welcoming and patient with all participants; reports to Program Coordinator any problematic behavior or circumstances that occur during trip.
• Returns attendance sheets, receipts, name tags, & any reports to Program Coordinator.
• Participates in required trainings.
• Review, use and promote Older Adult Services documents for age-inclusive communication.
• Takes proper safety precautions, utilizes all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage of city property to Program Coordinator.

Desired Qualifications
• Some experience working with adults 60 years and older.
• Experience working directly with people, with the ability to practice excellent customer service, patience, kindness, and communication.
• Organized and reliable.
• Current City of Boulder resident.
• Access to a mobile phone to use during trips.
• Have or create an email account that can be used to receive pertinent trip information from Program Coordinator.
• Access to a device to print documents.

Time Commitment:

• Escort is asked to commit to at least one (1) year and may be active in the role for up to three (3) years. These term designations may be amended if personal or departmental circumstances dictate otherwise.
• Escort must be available for at least one (1) trip per quarter for which no fees or meals are paid (typically a meet-up style trip).
• Escort at least one (1) trip per quarter (typically 4-8 hours), unless personal or departmental circumstances dictate otherwise.
• Meet with Program Coordinator for briefing before assigned trips, and follow-up communication after the trip (typically 1 hour combined time).
• Attend one (1) in-person meeting per quarter with Program Coordinator and other Escorts. This can be modified for personal or scheduling conflicts, weather or health safety reasons.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Paid entry to some trip events and locations, and/or some meals when pre-payment is possible; generally escorts will pay for their own meals during trips.
• Paid transportation for some trips; escorts will provide their own transportation to designated Meet-up Trips.
• Engaging and socializing with older adult trip participants.
• Satisfaction of donating time helping others maintain vitality in life through social engagement and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Enjoying a wide variety of pre-planned trips and events along the Front Range.
• Inclusion in city-wide annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

Documents:

• Complete required trainings which include but are not limited to mandatory reporting of adult mistreatment and First Aid/CPR/AED.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

Older Adult Services Volunteers

Assist Staff: Native Seed Collection ODVP-Lead

Description:

Native Seed Collection Volunteer Leads (NSCVL)

Restoring Ecosystems and Increasing Plant Diversity on Native and Agriculture

Dream it! Build it! Love it! Come join us as we support the legacy of the City of Boulder OSMP! We are currently recruiting for a Native Seed Collection Volunteer Lead. In this role the positions will directly support Native Seed Collection One-Day Volunteer Projects (ODVP). Lead Volunteer Leader will work directly with OSMP staff and volunteers.

Objective

• Native Seed Collection Volunteer Lead will provide Volunteer Services and Resource Staff support at Seed Collection Projects.

Responsibilities

• Native Seed Collection Volunteer Lead responsibilities will be to:
  • Assist the staff leader(s) with helping volunteer seed collectors properly identify and collect the target species.
  • Screening collection bags during the event to ensure that only the target species is being collected.
  • Direct volunteers to the best collecting areas and remind volunteers of safety hazards.
  • Connect and be welcoming to volunteers/staff, support with registration setup (Get to the project early when staff show up, assist staff leads, answer questions, other tasks.)
  • Be knowledgeable to species collected and how this project supports Climate Action.

Qualifications

• Comfort working outdoors – with groups.
• Ability to hike on steep trails or off-trail areas safely.
• Excellent record keeping and communication skills.
• Ability to work during the week.
• Work well with staff and volunteers.

Commitment/Expectations

• Required to sign an Acknowledgment of Risk and Release Form.
• Annually, attend three - six volunteer projects.
• Complete a background check.
• Have a commitment to the mission of OSMP.
• Work closely with OSMP staff on scheduling and ability to be self-organized

Time Commitment:

Time Commitment

• This role is committed to July until November of 2022.
• Select projects mornings during the week.
• Help bring the seed to the drying areas and organize post collection
• Support seed cleaning in the summer/fall.

 

Volunteer Benefits:

Benefits

• Gain experience with working directly with Resource staff and Volunteer Services.
• Connect with others who care about OSMP and Climate Action Projects.
• Enjoy the beauty and wellness effects of OSMP from working on the land.

Assist Staff: Photography

Description:

Dream it! Build it! Love it! We need your help in spreading the message of stewardship. Does your skill set include outdoor photography and outreach messaging? Do you have a keen eye for those special moments that share inspiration? We are seeking help from an experienced and reliable volunteer who can capture photographic images during volunteer project events to help support future media and messaging. Come join us as we support the legacy of OSMP!  

Objectives:

• Take high quality images of One-Day Volunteer Projects (ODVP) and volunteers, ongoing volunteer work, OSMP landscapes and wildlife
• Work closely with Volunteer Coordinators for imagery needs that will be used for OSMP marketing, advertisements and internal and external documents

Responsibilities:

• Take photographs at ODVP that’s purpose is for future promotional needs (website, Twitter, Facebook, annual reports, etc.)
• Submit photos and report volunteer hours via Count Me In Boulder
• Follow the City of Boulder’s Volunteer Handbook and OSMP Standard Operating Procedures,  Guidelines and Policies
• Stay up to date on area closures, permit areas such as Habitat Conservation Areas. Work with  Administrative staff to obtain permits into these special places

Qualifications:

• Photography experience, preferably event photography and photo editing skills
• Comfort working outdoors - independently and with project managers
• Ability to hike on steep trails or off-trail areas safely
• Excellent record keeping and communication skills

Commitment/Expectations:

• Required to sign an Acknowledgment of Risk and Release Form;
• Annually, attend 10-15 outreach events, volunteer projects or other OSMP sites when applicable. Time commitment 1-2 hours per visit.
• Complete a background check
• Have a commitment to the mission of OSMP
• Work closely with OSMP staff on scheduling and ability to be self-organized when working independently
• Volunteers retain photo authorship rites and will receive credit but releases COB to use photos at will
• Volunteers will use own cameras and equipment and will share final photographs with OSMP digitally

Benefits:

• Gain experience with event photography and OSMP volunteer projects
• Work with staff to support OSMP stewardship and messaging
• Connect with others who care about OSMP sustainability
• Enjoy the beauty of OSMP!

 

 

Time Commitment:

Attend 10-15 outreach events or volunteer projects annually, about 1-2 hours per event.

Documents:

For more information, please contact Kristin Weinberger at weinbergerk@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-910-5603.

 

Flower Bed Champ

Description:

Flower bed champs adopt the flower bed(s) at a park site and work in this site from April to October or for a shorter three month commitment.

To apply, fill out an application (on the right) for the task you would most like to do. Be sure to identify the location you prefer in your application.

You can click the text “View Flower Bed Champ Listing” (below) to learn more about the areas we are recruiting.  If your desired Park is not listed, it may mean someone has already adopted it. You can write the name of the park in the space provided in the questions section on the application.

Time Commitment:

Flower Bed champs should expect to volunteer 1 hour or more per week from April to October or during a three month period within this frame.

Documents:

Park Champ FAQ's

Litter Champ

Description:

Litter Champs adopt a site to pick up trash in our parks from April to October or for a shorter third month commitment.

To apply, fill out an application (on the right) for the task you would most like to do. Be sure to identify the location you prefer in your application.

You can click the text “View Litter Champ Listing” (below) to learn more about the areas we are recruiting. If your desired Park is not listed, it may mean someone has already adopted it. You can write the name of the park in the space provided in the questions section on the application.

Time Commitment:

Litter Champs will help pick up trash for 1 hour or more per week from April to October or for a three month period during this time frame.

Documents:

Park Champ FAQ's

Park Champ

Description:

Park Champs help monitor, weed, and pick up litter in a park you love. 

To apply, fill out an application (on the right) for the task you would most like to do. Be sure to identify the location you prefer in your application.

You can click the text “View Park Champ Listing” (below) to learn more about the areas we are recruiting. If your desired Park is not listed, it may mean someone has already adopted it. You can write the name of the park in the space provided in the questions section on the application.

Time Commitment:

Park Champs should expect to work 1 to 3 hours a week at the park throughout April to October or for at least a three month period within this time frame.

Documents:

Park Champ FAQ's

Prairie Dog Monitors

Description:

Prairie Dog Monitors observe and record Prairie Dog numbers in a specified location North of the Boulder Reservoir for 3 hours during each monitoring shift. These counts have been kept for over 10 years and help inform projects and management of the Boulder Reservoir. Volunteer must have experience using binoculars. Wildlife monitoring experience is highly recommended. 

Time Commitment:

New volunteers are required to attend the first shift of the first month they start volunteering for the program. 

Shifts will be held on June 14-16, July 12-14, and August 9-11 from 6AM to 9AM

Volunteers for Natural Lands Outreach

Description:

Natural Lands Outreach Volunteers welcome and educate users along the North Shore of the Boulder Reservoir and Coot Lake about: 1) Aquatic Nuisance Species, 2) area-specific rules (i.e., no swimming, no launching watercraft), and 3) wildlife closures to protect nesting bird species of concern. There will also be a rotating focus topic ranging from native plants,  land stewardship, pollinators, and more. This focus topic will change each month. While staffing the table and patrolling, volunteers will collect data on visitor patterns, volume, and behavior. When volunteers observe rule violations, they will contact staff that can provide further education when appropriate. Please note, volunteers will not provide any type of enforcement, as this position will focus on monitoring and education only. 

To apply, fill out the "Natural Lands Outreach Volunteer Application" to the right!

Time Commitment:

Volunteers will be asked to complete one in person training and one virtual training in Count Me In Boulder. 

In person training dates will be held on: 

Sat., April 9 from 9 to 11 AM 

Mon., April 18 from 5 to 7 PM

Volunteer Benefits:

• Opportunities to learn about different ecological topics, such as Aquatic Nuisance Species, nesting birds in the area, local wildlife, native and noxious plants, leave no trace principles, and more
• Satisfaction of enhancing visitor experiences, and helping to create a safe, positive, environment at Coot Lake and the Boulder Reservoir
• In person training and interaction with Parks and Recreation Natural Lands staff

Adopt-A-Spot

Description:

You, or the organization you represent, can adopt a specific median, multi-use path, roadway, transit stop or pocket park for a period of one year (with the option to renew annually).

This option allows individuals and groups a volunteer opportunity to contribute to the beautifying of the public domain and overall community well-being. Volunteers can set their own schedule for this work. The City of Boulder will recognize participants for their contributions to keeping public property debris-free and enhancing the city’s overall aesthetics.

 Requirements:

• The desire to support staff by keeping the areas neat and clean
• Sign a volunteer acknowledgement of Risk and Release and provide signed copies to staff for any additional volunteers that are recruited to assist with clean-up efforts.
• Sign a adopt a spot volunteer application
• Review the Volunteer Handbook and provide to participants
• Attend an orientation training with a member of our staff
• Be familiar with the safety hazards of this job which are stated in the agreement
• Be our eyes and ears and report vandalism or any maintenance concerns to Public Works staff
• Use water-wise plants (preferred)
• Be courteous and personable when dealing with the public
• Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, and detail-oriented
• Report volunteer hours monthly using Count Me In Boulder.

Time Commitment:

Monthly visits to the adopted area (weekly for RTD stops) are required.

Your visit could include a visual inspection of the area up to maintenance on the area that includes any of the following (if applicable):

• Remove trash, leaves, and debris a minimum of once a month (week for RTD stops).
• Weed (mechanical or manual means only – no herbicide/pesticide application) a minimum of every two weeks during growing season (April – October).
• In the fall, pruning any ornamental grasses, pick up and dispose of leaves, and mulch existing mulched areas (city to provide mulch).
• Edge trim where landscaped areas meet hardscape areas; clearance trim anywhere landscaping is conflicting with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
• Report any observable problems with the irrigation system (i.e., leaks, misdirected spray, etc.) or any hazards (such as needles) to Transportation Maintenance 303-441-3200.

 

Shovel-a-Stop

Description:

The City of Boulder is committed to multi-modal transportation, including year-round access to bus transit. The city’s new Shovel-a-Stop Program is an effort to increase the number of bus stops cleared after each snow event. The current budget supports contractors hired by the city to clear approximately 40 high-ridership stops after snowfalls resulting in at least 2-inches of accumulation. This program aims to bolster that number with community volunteer support. Clearing bus stops helps prevent slips and falls and increases safety and accessibility for bus riders of all ages and abilities.

This program is a great opportunity for individuals, families, neighborhood groups or community organizations. 

For more information and to apply to volunteer for this program, please click here. 

Time Commitment:

The time commitment will depend on the amount of snow that falls this winter, tools participants have available and size of the bus stop adopted. Typically, the annual snow season lasts from October to May. Program participants should plan to clear their adopted bus stop after each snow event with 2-inches of accumulation or more, within 24 hours after snow stops falling (view the NOAA tracker)