Get Involved: City of Fort Collins Engage

JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of Fort Collins seeks willing volunteers who want to help their neighbors through this uniquely challenging time.  Volunteers will be paired with neighbors in need who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and need assistance with daily tasks. Tasks may include but are not limited to grocery shopping and delivery, basic errands, driveway shoveling, and more.

LOCATION

• Will vary by connection- request in the application

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES

• Connect with a neighbor in need
• Develop a list of tasks that would help them be more comfortable in their situation
• Initiate and report all connections through Engage
• Conduct errands or tasks to assist assigned neighbors
• Perform all tasks with the utmost attention to COVID-19 precautions.

SAFETY 

• Wash hands regularly, disinfect surfaces regularly, avoid direct contact with others whenever possible, avoid touching your face, and practice good hygiene.
• If you are feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms, stay home! In times of distress, the work of a healthy volunteer is vital, but personal health and safety are always of primary importance.
• If you are experiencing a fever, a cough, and shortness of breath, consult with a doctor or medical professional immediately.
• Volunteers belonging to the most vulnerable populations should consider rescheduling commitments or consider virtual alternatives to their regular, in-person volunteer activities. 

EXPECTATIONS

• A high level of professionalism is expected in every interaction
• High attention to COVID-19 protection standards
• Detailed reporting through Engage
• Initial training through Volunteer Services is required

TIME COMMITMENT AND AVAILABILITY

Time commitment will vary depending on availability and need.

BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEER

• Development of customer service skills.
• Free use of MAX and Transfort while actively volunteering.
• Limited access to City personal and professional development opportunities.
• Access to City job application system and select volunteer opportunities.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED

This is a position of trust- background check required

This is an unpaid volunteer position assisting the Development Review Center staff as they serve customers who have questions relating building permits, contractor licensing or need guidance navigating other Community Development and Neighborhood Services departments.  Customer service is provided with integrity and efficiency, treating each individual with courtesy and respect.

Our hours for this table are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.  The two most important hours of the day are 8-9 am and 4-5 pm.  This is when the building is open to the public for access to Neighborhood Services and FC Moves, but the gates are closed for service activities in Engineering and the Development Review Center.  We need 5+ volunteers to staff this table full-time (45 hrs. total). 

https://www.fcgov.com/volunteer/files/greeter-table-job-description.pdf

This is a volunteer position collaborating on projects relating to the City Open Data portal. Projects will use existing and new datasets with goals of assisting City departments to use their data more efficiently and making the data more accessible for a wide range of resident interests.

Using analysis, coding, visualization, and other skills to assist City staff in decision-making around data. Using the OpenData Portal and Github for storyboards, visualizations, and analyses. Collaborating with other volunteers and City staff.

This assignment is very flexible. Please commit to one volunteer meetup (in-person or virtual) each quarter.

City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Community Scientists help answer research questions that benefit local natural areas.

Specific volunteer training is required for each type of Natural Areas sponsored community science activity. Applicants will be emailed training dates as they occur throughout the year are also posted here:

• The next Nature in the City Biodiversity Monitoring: Butterflies and Birds training is Tuesday, May 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. and will be offered online.
• The next Nature in the City Biodiversity Monitoring: Bees training is Thursday, May 21- Time TBD. 
• The next Amphibian Monitoring training is yet to be scheduled.

https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/community-science

Read the volunteer job description

 Volunteer Description Overview

The Office and Equipment Volunteer is responsible for managing the supplies that are essential to running natural areas programs and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize, manage, and re-stock supplies, tools, and equipment before and after school field trips, community programs, and stewardship projects.
• Keep Resource Room, Education House, and Tool Shed organized and stocked during busy season.
• Help respond to inquires from program participants, compile attendance reports, manage the library, and other office-based projects.
• Help with the ongoing organization and filing of the Natural Areas photo library.
• Actively think of ways to improve our organization of supplies, equipment, and information
• Record hours and impact through the City’s online system, Engage

4-8 hours a week, Mondays and Fridays preferred

https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/files/office-and-equipment-volunteer.pdf

https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/skills-based-volunteers

https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/files/skills-based-volunteer-descriptions.pdf?1563304487

Find out more about volunteering with Natural Areas.

Assist instructors with swim lessons by creating a fun learning environment for participants.  This is a great opportunity for youth volunteers 14 and older.

Assist Recreation Instructors with youth classes.

Time commitment varies depending on class.

Three R Enthusiasts, read on! This is the ONLY volunteer opportunity on the Front Range where you will: 

BENEFITS 

• Make an important contribution to our community's recycling efforts.
• Receive valuable and hands-on learning about recycling - through action, educational tours and meetings.
• Have the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to others in the community.

EXPECTATIONS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Public relations and communication skills, including the ability to interact and work effectively and courteously with people from varying social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Interest in, and knowledge about (will be provided at training) Waste Reduction and Recycling issues.
• One-hour site tour, and site training (usually an hour or two)
• Fill out a Shift Feedback Form after every shift.
• Check-ins: “Coffee Catch-up” meetings with other RA's every other month. Emailing the Coordinator regarding updates.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This is a position of trust: a yearly background check is required.
• You must have an email address and basic computer skills (some exceptions may be allowed)
• You must be 16 (with parental approval if younger than 18) or older to apply for this position.
• To apply for the Recycling Ambassadors Program, submit an application (on the right side of your screen). 

• Commit to at least one, two-hour shift per week for at least six months.

Three opportunities!

Pool and Billiards Room Maintenance

Light maintenance and cleaning of Pool and Billiards Room. Vacuuming of pool tables, cleaning whiteboards, maintaining supplies, washing supplies, etc. 

Prairie Sage Dance Assistance 

Assist with our bi-monthly, Monday night Senior Dances. Includes greeting, ticket taking, assisting with snacks, and cleanup. 

AV Assistance

Set up and run AV equipment during various programs, movies, etc. at our Senior Center. Includes working sound system, lights, power point presentations, video conferencing, all things technical.  Training provided.

Pool and Billiards Room Maintenance

1x week, on your own schedule, generally a 3 hour time commitment

Prairie Sage Dance Assistance 

Every other Monday night/flexible Monday nights, generally a 4 hour time commitment 

AV Assistance

Times vary based on scheduling of various movies, shows, presentations and events.  Volunteers would be provided with 1-2 month schedule of when these take place, though movies do take place  every other Friday and one Wednesday/month.  Volunteers may select which opportunities work best for them. Most opportunities require a two hour time commitment. Training provided.

Join us for school field trips and fun at The Farm!  We are looking for energetic adults who would like to share the wonders of the farm with local children.

Must be available during the work day. Dates and times will vary.

Volunteers will work closely with the Transfort Travel Training Coordinator to help educate the community about Transfort services including MAX and FLEX.   

Commit to at least 10 hours of volunteer service per year. Schedule varies based on event requests (busiest seasons are spring and summer).

View the volunteer description here 

JOB DESCRIPTION
Community Engagement (CE) is the Utilities division responsible for engaging stakeholders in programs and services through several strategies, including program management, customer education, public participation and community partnerships. The CE intern will complete a range of tasks, including direct to customer outreach and education, event and program logistical support, research and strategic development support.

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
• Engage directly with community members to share information and resources that empower them to make informed decision about utilities.
• Conduct outreach activities such as tracking progress and sharing program related information.
• Participate in community organization meetings.
• Assist with data collection, documentation and analysis.
• Provide logistical support for stakeholder relationship development strategies.
• Assist with large- and small-scale event logistics and implementation.
• Assist with youth school program and field trip education logistics and implementation.
• Conduct research on best practices and strategic opportunities.
• Additional tasks as assigned.

BENEFITS TO INTERN
• Helping people make informed decisions that help them save money and reduce their impact on Fort Collins, the region, and the world.
• Opportunity to learn and practically apply customer service, community engagement and program management skills.

• Professionalism development opportunity in a highly respected municipal organization.
• Academic and community service credit available when all criteria are met.
• Partial access to the suite of employee personal and professional development opportunities
• Access to City job application system and select opportunities not available to the public.
• Access to City volunteer benefits such as a free transit pass.

TIME COMMITMENT AND AVAILABILITY
• Spring Semester (based on CSU calendar) with an opportunity to continue as appropriate.
• Typical assignments occur Monday-Friday between 8a-5p
• Night and weekend event support common.
• 10-20 hours per week.

Description of Event
Interested in building the Fort Collins community and advancing sustainable energy practices? We need your help! We’re seeking energetic and passionate individuals to serve as energy ambassadors in the community. Ambassadors will volunteer at local multifamily properties to educate residents on the importance of energy conservation and easy ways to conserve.

You will interact directly with residents, talking with them about easy ways to save energy in their residences, while also saving money on their energy bills and contributing to a greener community. This is a great opportunity to put your passion for sustainability to practice by supporting the City of Fort Collins and its climate action plan.

This project is associated with the City of Fort Collins’ voluntary Multifamily Building Energy Challenge, which the Institute for the Built Environment is managing.

Volunteer Role
This opportunity begins in early January and ends in late February. If you are unable to begin until mid- to late January, we still encourage you to apply. Applicants who can begin in early January will be selected first.

This volunteer role will kick off with a one-hour training that overviews the City’s Multifamily Building Energy Challenge, and messaging and strategies for engaging with community members regarding energy conservation. The training will take place at IBE’s office on the CSU campus, and IBE will provide you with all necessary outreach materials for the duration of your participation.

After training, IBE will pair you with one or more multifamily residences in the community. Your role will be to visit the property and directly engage residents on-site in conversations regarding energy conservation. Depending on the property, you may talk with residents passing through the lobby, go door-to-door, host educational events, and/or implement other education and outreach strategies.

2 hours/week