The primary purpose of the volunteer program is to augment and enhance community engagement and the delivery of services. Additionally, the program encourages hands on involvement in local government and promotes participation by individuals and groups within the community.
The city benefits from volunteer involvement which:
- Extends the city’s ability to provide services effectively and efficiently and to conserve resources;
- Builds understanding of and participation in city government;
- Strengthens the community through collaboration and partnership.
Benefits to volunteers include:
- The opportunity to develop skills and gain experience;
- An increased understanding of city government and the opportunity to positively influence its effectiveness;
- Personal satisfaction in helping the community.
For all activities related to the recruitment and retention of volunteers, it is the City of Tampa’s policy to provide equal treatment of all persons without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, familial status, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected class as defined by law or City policy. Individuals requesting accommodation or accessibility information should contact the department's Volunteer Coordinator.
The Volunteer
Volunteers are valuable assets providing needed resources to the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department. Our volunteers are individuals who willingly and freely offer services with no expectation of payment or other compensation. Volunteers may include but are not limited to individuals and groups engaging in service opportunities defined by the department.
Volunteers must comply with the guidelines and procedures outlined in the Tampa Parks & Recreation Volunteer Handbook. They must also follow all ordinances, policies, and procedures, and abide by the same rules of conduct, ethical standards and confidentiality requirements that govern City of Tampa employees.
Parks and Recreation Volunteers are NOT:
- City employees
- Those ordered or sentenced by the court to work in the community
- Those who are seeking volunteer opportunities as a requirement to receive government assistance
- Individuals affiliated with youth sports leagues that are supervised and administered by the parent organization of that league by the standards outlined in the agreement between the league and the City of Tampa
- Those who were former city employees who were terminated
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers must meet minimum qualifications for placement into any city-related assignment. The primary qualification for volunteer placement is the ability and suitability to perform a task on behalf of Tampa Parks & Recreation.
Volunteer Application: All volunteers must complete a City of Tampa Volunteer Application.
Age: The nature of volunteer assignments with the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department may vary in complexity, therefore it is our policy to determine age requirements for volunteers on a case-by-case basis. For most projects, we welcome children ages 12 to 15 with parental supervision. The minimum age for an unaccompanied volunteer is sixteen (16).
Background Investigations: Anyone who will be volunteering directly for the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department is required to successfully complete a background screening. All background checks will be performed through the City of Tampa Human Resources department. Volunteers will be asked to fill out an application template through our JobsAps website. Required sections to fill out include, EEO, Profile, and School
Volunteer Agreement: All volunteers are required to sign an "Agreement to Volunteer and Accept Workers Compensation Benefits Form" as part of their application. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have the form signed by a parent or legal guardian. It covers any injuries sustained during any authorized volunteer service performed on behalf of the Parks & Recreation Department.
Volunteer training: Volunteer training will be determined by opportunity. Some opportunities will only require a quick overview of the day’s work with a staff supervisor prior to completing the project. Other opportunities will require the volunteer to be trained by the appropriate staff.
Types of Volunteer Service
Individual Regular Volunteer Service are scheduled on a regular frequency to assist staff with:
- Administrative Work
- Park/Trail Clean-up
- Photography/Videography
- Coaching
Community/Service-Learning Volunteers will be available for service activities assigned by educational or civic organizations such as an Eagle Scout Project.
Special Event Volunteers are needed throughout the year with informational and activity booths. Staff and volunteers are scheduled to work the booth to interact with the public. The volunteer will be trained to help answer questions about our parks and assist with children’s activities when appropriate.
Volunteer Groups may be scheduled to assist with large projects such as:
- Park/Trail Clean-ups
- Playground Builds
- Day of Service Projects
- Community Clean-ups
We will do our best to match your groups’ skills and location request whenever possible. The group representative should email the Volunteer Coordinator (at least 6 weeks in advance) with their request to PRVolunteer@tampagov.net to discuss the volunteer options.
Bike/Parks and Trails Volunteers are needed to adopt a park area or sections of trail that require attention. The volunteer will visit the site a couple times a month to:
- Remove trash and recycling along trails/parks
- Help keep trails clear of potential hazards (sticks, trash, etc.)
- Report feedback of experience and maintenance needs to staff
Conduct and Expectations
As a volunteer, you may be the first person someone meets from Tampa Parks and Recreation and you now have the responsibility of making a good first impression. A smile or a short "Hello, how are you?" can go a long way to our patrons.
Volunteers are representing the City of Tampa and the Parks and Recreation Department; therefore all volunteers are expected to abide by the handbook guidelines and following all policies. In addition, volunteers are expected to be:
- Dependable – attendance, punctuality, completion of all required paperwork
- Cooperative in spirit
- Courteous and polite to staff and public
- Respectful of others
Confidentiality
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they have access while serving as a volunteer including confidential information concerning personnel matters, members of the community, or related to the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department.
Attendance
Volunteer attendance is important to the operation of our programs. Please make every effort to honor your volunteer commitment. Volunteers should notify their on-site contact or volunteer coordinator in advance if they are unable to be present for their volunteer project or assignment.
Dress Code
The personal appearance of the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department employees is a form of non-verbal communication that conveys to the public an image of pride, competence, and professionalism. Clothing and personal appearance have an effect on perceptions and feelings that others have on us as individuals. Volunteers are expected to report to their assignment dressed and groomed appropriately for the task assigned. All volunteers must wear their city provided badge when volunteering.
Interaction with Youth Participants
Under no circumstances is a volunteer allowed to be alone with any youth participant at any time. Volunteers may not and will not strike or physically punish any participant. Matters of discipline must always be referred to a Supervisor of the facility, or a staff member designated in such capacity.
Interaction With The Public
We all want to make patrons happy, however if you’re approached by someone with a question that you do not know the answer to, please be honest and say you don’t know that answer, but will get the information to the right staff member for follow up.
City policy states that any media inquiries for interviews, comments, etc. must be directed to the department director. As a volunteer you should direct all media inquiries to a supervisor.
Credentialed journalists may take photographs and video footage on any park and recreation sites without permission. Please inform the site supervisor of anyone taking still or video photography.
Prohibited Items/Actions
Volunteers are not permitted to use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco, in City parks, buildings, and facilities including surrounding grounds and indoor and outdoor associated walkways during volunteer service activities. Profanity including ethnic or sexual slurs will not be tolerated and is cause for action up to and including termination of volunteer appointment.
Volunteers are prohibited from the possession, use or distribution of intoxicants (alcohol or drugs) of any kind in city/department areas. Violators will fully be turned over to law enforcement and prosecuted of the law. Volunteers are not permitted to carry or possess any weapon, including, but not limited to, guns (whether licensed to carry one or not), knives, sling shots, and explosives, on their person during the performance of their volunteer duties. Violation of these policies by any volunteer is cause for immediate termination of volunteer appointment.
Volunteers are strictly prohibited from using personal vehicles to transport participants and are strictly prohibited from operating City of Tampa vehicles and equipment. This includes but is not limited to cars, trucks, utility vehicles, mowers, blowers, chainsaws, power washers, power tools, etc.
All applicable City, State, and Federal laws must be adhered to while on assignment.
Accidents & Injuries
Any accident or injury must immediately be reported to Parks and Recreation staff in charge of your volunteer project so the proper safety measures can be taken.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
For all activities related to the recruitment and retention of volunteers, the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or political beliefs. Individuals requesting accommodation or accessibility information should contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Harassment Policy
Tampa Parks and Recreation is committed to providing volunteers with an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. The department encourages volunteers to bring any incidents of harassment to the immediate attention of the on-site supervisor.
Stay Positive
It can be frustrating to hear a park visitor or other member of the public complain.
Keep in mind there may be a logical reason the situation exists and it’s up to all of us to educate users about the park processes. Apologize for the dissatisfaction and take the complaint to the Volunteer Coordinator. Be a promoter of the benefits of the park system and work toward understanding the reasons behind situations so you can offer an informed and positive answer. You are part of the team!
