About Volunteering

Youth fourteen and over gain new skills and impact their community. Youth 7-13 may volunteer with a parent or guardian. All youth under eighteen must have parental permission to volunteer in county departments.

Adults learn new skills or share acquired ones while they help their neighbors and contribute to the livability of Marion County.

Families benefit by adopting a section of county road, cleaning a county park or helping during special activities such as one-time community events.

College students prepare for the workforce as volunteers while gaining experience and, often, class credit. 

Groups such as church, community, service, support and youth groups find adopting projects or conducting programs within county departments connects them with the needs of their neighbors.

Apply (choose from the following):

• Program volunteers and interns: Fill out an Online Application Form  This is our regular volunteer application and is used to place volunteers in departments that do not have their own applications. Use these department specific applications Dog Shelter, PH Internship Application.pdf, MCSO Application.pdf, and Victim Assistance Volunteer Application.pdf.
  

• Advisory Boards: Community members interested in serving on a board, committee or commission should use the Advisory Board Application.pdf.
  

• Download a printable copy of an Application Form and fill it out and return by mail or in person to address on form.

• Call 503-588-7990 and request an application be mailed to you, or

• Obtain an application from the county's volunteer coordinator in Human Resources, Suite #4250, 555 Court Street NE, Salem.

All volunteers must complete New Volunteer Orientation to be considered an affiliated volunteer with coverage under the county's policies and insurance.

Episodic volunteers (short-term/one-time) will be asked to complete a volunteer waiver form.

Email the Volunteer Services Coordinator with any questions.

PO Box 14500
Salem, Oregon 97309-5036
Phone: (503) 588-7990
Fax: (503) 588-5495
E-mail: volunteer@co.marion.or.us
 

An interview will occur after you apply to ensure a successful match between you, the department, and the job. However, for some short-term or one-time positions the interview process may be waived or modified.

An orientation is provided that acquaints you with Marion County policies and procedures. Also included in the orientation are the expectations you should have for the county, expectations the county has of you, and general information about departments, advisory boards, and volunteer opportunities. The county volunteer orientation is provided by the county volunteer coordinator and is required for all affiliated volunteers. Orientation is available on-line, and can be completed at the volunteer's own pace. Orientation usually takes about an hour to complete.

Additional training is provided by the department or program. At that time, you will receive a department orientation, workplace safety requirements, department procedures, and supervision to develop necessary job skills.

Recognition is important to the county. As a Marion County volunteer, you will be thanked for your contribution. Each spring during National Volunteer Week, county volunteers are thanked and recognized.

Evaluation and feedback of the work that you have accomplished and guidance on the expectations of the position should be provided by your department supervisor. As a valued volunteer, you are invited to offer ideas and suggestions that help keep the county's programs and services in touch with the needs of the people of Marion County.