Opportunities From: City of San Luis Obispo

Coaches have the ability to transform kids' lives. From teaching the basics of a sport to acting as a role model and representative for the City of San Luis Obispo, a volunteer coach can serve as an incredibly meaningful opportunity in our community. 

The Community Services Division, housed in the Parks and Recreation Department, seeks 1-2 Youth Sports Clinic Coaches to volunteer their time and talent in October for pickleball on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:45 PM at French Park from 10/6 to 10/29.

This active and engaging role is ideal for college-level or older (18+) volunteers, though if you're a high school athlete looking to give back and get involved through a sport you love, please respond. A volunteer will be successful in this position when they: 

- have the ability to work with up to 20 children, ages 5-14

- posses a deep understanding of the sport

- are great at creating positive, inclusive, and safe environments through encouraging kids to have fun.

After responding to this opportunity, community members will be contacted by a member of the Community Services Division to go over next steps, including: 

- a background check (as you will be coaching children),

- facility location and access information,

- and additional details like what to wear,  how to prepare, and City staff support information. 

All resources are provided. Show up and serve, impact a kids' life for the better!

Coaches have the ability to transform kids' lives. From teaching the basics of a sport to acting as a role model and representative for the City of San Luis Obispo, a volunteer coach can serve as an incredibly meaningful opportunity in our community. 

The Community Services Division, housed in the Parks and Recreation Department, seeks 1-2 Youth Sports Clinic Coaches to volunteer their time and talent in November and January for volleyball on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM then from 4:45 to 5:45 PM at the Ludwick Community Center.

This active and engaging role is ideal for those (14+) ; great if you're a high school athlete looking to give back and get involved through a sport you love! A volunteer will be successful in this position when they: 

- have the ability to work with up to 20 children, ages 6-14

- posses a deep understanding of the sport

- are great at creating positive, inclusive, and safe environments through encouraging kids to have fun.

After responding to this opportunity, community members will be contacted by a member of the Community Services Division to go over next steps, including: 

- facility location and access information,

- and additional details like what to wear,  how to prepare, and City staff support information. 

All resources are provided. Show up and serve, impact a kids' life for the better!

Coaches have the ability to transform kids' lives. From teaching the basics of a sport to acting as a role model and representative for the City of San Luis Obispo, a volunteer coach can serve as an incredibly meaningful opportunity in our community. 

The Community Services Division, housed in the Parks and Recreation Department, seeks 1-2 Youth Sports Clinic Coaches to volunteer their time and talent in December for basketball on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM then from 4:45 to 5:45 PM at Bishop's Peak Elementary School.

This active and engaging role is ideal for those (14+) ; great if you're a high school athlete looking to give back and get involved through a sport you love! A volunteer will be successful in this position when they: 

- have the ability to work with up to 20 children, ages 6-14

- posses a deep understanding of the sport

- are great at creating positive, inclusive, and safe environments through encouraging kids to have fun.

After responding to this opportunity, community members will be contacted by a member of the Community Services Division to go over next steps, including: 

- facility location and access information,

- and additional details like what to wear,  how to prepare, and City staff support information. 

All resources are provided. Show up and serve, impact a kids' life for the better!

Volunteer support is needed for the City of San Luis Obispo's annual September Scramble event held at the Laguna Lake Golf Course. This community event is full of family fun, food, and festivities!

VOLUNTEERS WHO SIGN UP FOR THIS SHIFT WILL HELP WITH EVENT BREAK DOWN FROM 1:30 TO 5:00 PM.

Volunteers are to be timely, have a positive "can do" attitude, and be willing to roll up their sleeves to get the tasks assigned to them done, supporting our community and event attendees!

Confirmation details will be communicated to registered volunteers including what to wear, bring, expect, and information for their day-of point of contact person. This is a great service opportunity for individuals, groups, and teams!

Volunteer support is needed for the City of San Luis Obispo's annual September Scramble event held at the Laguna Lake Golf Course. This community event is full of family fun, food, and festivities!

VOLUNTEERS WHO SIGN UP FOR THIS SHIFT WILL SUPPORT THE EVENT - FROM SET UP TO ADVENTURE COURSE OVERSIGHT, AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AS ASSIGNED FROM 9 AM TO 2:30 PM.

Volunteers are to be timely, have a positive "can do" attitude, and be willing to roll up their sleeves to get the tasks assigned to them done, supporting our community and event attendees!

Confirmation details will be communicated to registered volunteers including what to wear, bring, expect, and information for their day-of point of contact person. This is a great service opportunity for individuals, groups, and teams!

Seeking flexibility and fulfillment? Apply to be a Administrative Support Volunteer with the City of San Luis Obispo. If you have top-notch organizational skills, high-attention to detail, and love giving back to your community then you may enjoy being a part of progressing administrative special projects ranging from data entry, to Word processing, organizing spaces, hard and soft file inventory cleanup and categorization, and more depending on departmental needs.

In-person (located at a City Department work station) or a remote, home-office space options (depending on the need and access requirements).

All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Waiver and potential other onboarding requirements prior to volunteering. 

For more information, please review the general Administrative Support Volunteer Position Description and reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator for more information. 

Calling all community members who enjoy being around canine companions and are looking for ways to give back, get involved, and help the City of San Luis Obispo and partners keep the Laguna Lake Dog Park a safe, healthy, and inviting space for all. Learn more about this paw-sitively rewarding volunteer role below and refer the Volunteer Position Description and Guide for Volunteers before hitting RESPOND. Please reach out to the City of SLO's Volunteer Program with any questions ([email protected]; call or text 805-858-0771) or for support.

Who:

Come one dog lover, come all! Community members who sign up for this volunteer role should be comfortable around dogs of all sizes and various temperaments and have a basic understanding of canine body language to operate safely and with awareness on volunteer shifts. This volunteer opportunity is eligible for community service and is great for individuals and groups. 

Please note:

o   Those 8-11 may serve with a legal guardian in the small dog park only.

o   Those 12-15 may serve in the large - or small - dog park with a legal guardian.

o   16 -17-year-olds may serve independently with a parent or legal guardian’s pre-communicated consent.

o   For volunteer groups, a Volunteer Waiver must be submitted for each participant prior to volunteering. It is the responsibility and inherent assumed liability for the group to determine their adult:minor ratio policy.

What:

This volunteer program equips volunteers with the knowledge, supplies, and resources they need to support staff’s efforts to maintain safe, clean, and enjoyable park experiences for all visitors - canines and their companions. Standard tasks include:

1)    Park cleanup

Tasks include: monitoring trash and notifying City (via Ask SLO tool) if maintenance is needed, refilling Mutt Mitts, removing fecal matter in the park, raking woodchips and evening gravel, clearing walkways, placing unused toys in appropriate storage areas.

2) Maintenance

Wiping down agility equipment and surfaces (e.g., picnic tables, hydration stations, gates, and signage), repairs and projects as needed and coordinated by City staff (e.g., painting, fencing, landscaping care/installation), removing weeds, reporting vandalism and/or facility needs to the City (via Ask SLO tool).

3) Event support

As directed or approved by the City, volunteers might be invited to assist at community events; details forthcoming to active volunteers.

When:

Volunteers commit to a regular schedule, so long as it’s during daylight hours from dawn to dusk, totaling one hour/month. Volunteers are not to serve at night or in unsafe conditions (e.g., storms, extreme heat, high winds, etc.). Shifts are flexible and scheduling is coordinated through the City's Volunteer Program. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular day and timeframe like Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 AM or Saturdays from 4 to 5 PM. 

Where:

Volunteers commit to serve at the Laguna Lake Dog Park, 504 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.

Additional Details & *Service Requirements:

Celebrate your efforts! Send the Volunteer Program pictures and reports, use social media, tagging the City of San Luis Obispo and Parks and Recreation Department, and use the hashtag #KeepSLOClean

We can’t wait to see you at the park and thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Envision this: fresh air, amazing vistas, hand tools carving mountainside trails, like-minded outdoor enthusiasts to your left and right, some dirt under your fingernails and maybe some sore – and stronger – muscles tomorrow... sound like your kind of morning? If you love to be outside, don’t mind mild to strenuous physical tasks, and are ready to learn – and respond! - how to build hiking and mountain biking trails then this could be the volunteer role for you or your team!

This volunteer contributes their time, talent, and physical efforts to assist the Ranger Service Division with hand-built sections of trail construction projects under the guidance and supervision of City staff. With volunteers’ consistent support, the Ranger Service can keep multiple trail projects going simultaneously and build more trail! 

Meet at the End of Lizzie St., across from French Hospital.  Shifts generally run to 12:30.  Bring water, a snack and gloves if you have them.  Long sleeves, long pants, a hat and sturdy shoes are recommended.  Questions? Ask Ranger Niels Grether at [email protected] or 805 440 5454.

Please see the Volunteer Position Description for more information on the role, scope of responsibilities and expectations. 

11–15-year-olds need to have a legal guardian with them on the workday (with both minor + guardian completing waivers), 16 & 17 year olds are cleared to volunteer without a legal guardian (with both minor + guardian completing waivers) and of course those over 18 welcomed so long as waivers are completed. All individuals, regardless of age will need two things at minimum: an Engage SLO profile and Volunteer Waiver completed. Please contact [email protected] with any questions at least 10 business days in advance of scheduled workday.

Are you looking for a meaningful ongoing service opportunity to give back to our community? Do you enjoy being outdoors and leaving places better than they were found? Are you a part of a school group, club, or workplace seeking community service opportunities or want to volunteer solo or with a friend or family member? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you may be interested in our Adopt-a-Park program! We have over 26 parks within City limits and we are seeking volunteers to help keep these shared spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for all who visit.

Please see more details and how to get involved below:

Who:

Come one, come all! SLO Community members who live, work, attend school, or frequent the city enough to fulfill *service requirements can positively impact their park of choice. This volunteer opportunity is eligible for community service and is great for individuals and groups.

What:

This program equips volunteers with the knowledge, supplies, and resources they need to support staff’s efforts to maintain safe, clean, and enjoyable park experiences for all park-goers. Standard tasks include:

When:

Volunteers serve any day and time they’d like, so long as it’s during daylight hours from dawn to dusk. Volunteers are not to serve at night or in unsafe conditions.

Where:

Volunteers are assigned a park based on their response to the Adopt-a-Park Volunteer Interest Survey, availability, and need.

Additional Details & *Service Requirements:

Celebrate your efforts! Send the Volunteer Program pictures and reports, use social media, tagging the City of San Luis Obispo and Parks and Recreation Department, and use the hashtag #KeepSLOClean

We can’t wait to see you in the field and thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Spend some of your weekend with our Ranger Service! Envision this: fresh air, amazing vistas, hand tools carving mountainside trails, like-minded outdoor enthusiasts to your left and right, some dirt under your fingernails and maybe some sore – and stronger – muscles tomorrow... sound like your kind of morning? If you love to be outside, don’t mind mild to strenuous physical tasks, and are ready to learn – and respond! - how to build hiking and mountain biking trails then this could be the volunteer role for you or your team!  

This volunteer contributes their time, talent, and physical efforts to assist the Ranger Service Division with hand-built sections of trail construction projects under the guidance and supervision of City staff. With volunteers’ consistent support, Ranger Service team members’ bandwidth and capability for trail construction is greatly increased and sustained to improve and preserve the City’s trail system. 

Saturday shifts are generally from 9 AM to Noon. Special group assignments will vary depending on the activity and site and be communicated with ample notice. 

Please see the Volunteer Position Description for more information on the role, scope of responsibilities and expectations. 

11–15-year-olds need to have a legal guardian with them on the workday (with both minor + guardian completing waivers), 16 & 17 year-olds are cleared to volunteer without a legal guardian (with both minor + guardian completing waivers) and of course those over 18 welcomed so long as waivers are completed. All individuals, regardless of age will need two things at minimum: an Engage SLO profile and Volunteer Waiver completed. Please contact [email protected] with any questions at least 10 business days in advance of scheduled workday. Number of minors might be capped for certain projects or workdays to ensure safety of all participants. 

Photos courtesy of Volunteer Photographer, Sara F.

The City of San Luis Obispo's Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources seeks community members to support a long-term collaborative project aiming to restore grasslands and assist in building beaver dam analogs* (BDAs) at the Johnson Ranch Open Space on a rolling, ongoing basis. Volunteers will be equipped with all necessary resources and be trained in the field by City staff initially until ready to support stewardship efforts independently. This is a great opportunity to blend hiking with service as a group or individual.

Please read more details below and hit RESPOND to register to volunteer.

For any questions, contact the City's Volunteer Program.

*BDAs are human-made dams that can assist in riparian restoration and improve water quality and quantity in the stream by filtering out unwanted sediment and debris.

Grassland restoration activities will include manual removal of invasive species, digging, weed whipping as appropriate, seed collection, seeding, and more.

All tools, resources, and training will be provided by the City. Initial service will be performed alongside staff until volunteers feel equipped and comfortable to serve independently. 

Do you enjoy working with people? Have a knack for problem-solving and are energized by fast-paced environments? Are you comfortable in loud situations and don't mind standing with periodic breaks? If you answered, "yes" to these questions, then the Parking Services Support Volunteer may be a great role for you! Learn more about Downtown Parking here. 

Please see more details below and click "RESPOND" to complete a digital Volunteer Waiver and confirm your emergency contact information to sign up.

Who:

This role is best suited for community members who enjoy and excel at customer service and can relay information clearly and effectively to a wide demographic of drivers.

What: 

Help the public exit downtown parking garages with ease. Guided by City staff, volunteers will help drivers insert their payment at stationary exit kiosks.  Support the City's Parking Services Team by: 

When: 

Thursday and Friday evenings are a busy time for downtown San Luis Obispo. Shifts are from 5:30 PM to 9 PM and volunteers are asked to serve the entirety of the shift, ideally committing to a minimum of 3 months with 4 shifts/month. Volunteers are welcomed to serve both Thursday and Friday evenings weekly if they desire.

Where: 

Volunteers will be stationed at one garage for the entirety of their shift. The meeting location and their staff point of contact will be communicated to confirmed volunteers via email from the Volunteer Program in advance on their scheduled shift. Downtown parking garage locations:

Additional Information: 

We can't wait to see you in the field and appreciate your interest in volunteering with the City of San Luis Obispo! Please contact the Volunteer Program for support.

Volunteers are invited to support the City of SLO's Public Works Department's Streets Division by adopting a pathway within the City's jurisdiction. If you enjoy being outdoors, leaving places cleaner and safer than they were found, and are looking to get involved with the community in an active way, this could be a great volunteer opportunity for you, your family, your club, or workplace team. 

Please see more details and how to get involved:

Who:

Come one, come all! SLO community members who live, work, attend school, or frequent the city enough to fulfill *service requirements can positively impact their pathway of choice. This volunteer opportunity is eligible for community service and is great for individuals and groups.

What:

This program equips volunteers with the knowledge, supplies, and resources they need to support staff’s efforts to maintain safe and litter-free pathways. Volunteers generally focus on: 

When:

Volunteers serve any day and time they’d like, so long as it’s during daylight hours from dawn to dusk. Volunteers are not to serve at night or in unsafe conditions.

Where:

Volunteers are assigned a pathway based on their preference and the City's needs

Additional Details & *Service Requirements:

Celebrate your efforts! Send the Volunteer Program pictures and reports, use social media, tagging the City of San Luis Obispo and Public Works Department, and use the hashtag #KeepSLOClean

We can’t wait to see you in the field and thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Envision this: fresh air, amazing vistas, open spaces and rugged trails, like-minded outdoor enthusiasts to your left and right, some dirt under your fingernails and maybe some sore – and stronger – muscles tomorrow... sound like your kind of morning? If you enjoy being outside, don’t mind mild to strenuous physical tasks, and are ready to learn and dive in, this could be the volunteer role for you!

We're seeking volunteers to contributes their time and efforts to assist the City of San Luis Obispo’s Public Utilities Department at our Whale Rock Reservoir facility location with hand-built sections of trail construction and maintenance projects sometimes involving the proper usage of weed abatement tools like string trimmers under the training, guidance, and supervision of City staff.

Weekday shifts are generally from 9 AM to Noon.  Volunteers will meet at the Whale Rock Reservoir Access Point where a member of the City of SLO team will meet you and brief you on the plan for the morning. Please see the Volunteer Position Description for more information on the role, scope of responsibilities and expectations. Volunteers who successfully respond to this opportunity will receive a confirmation email at least 48 hours in advance with more details.

Due to the nature of this role, volunteers must be 18+. All individuals, regardless of age will need two things at minimum: an Engage SLO profile and Volunteer Waiver completed. Please contact [email protected] with any questions at least 10 business days in advance of scheduled service day.

Volunteer with the City of San Luis Obispo's Public Art program via a Beautification Service Day! With over 150 unique pieces of public art ranging from murals, mosaics, oil and watercolor paintings, utility box art, stained glass, sculptures, benches, bridge railings, and more... volunteers can play a valuable role in preserving and protecting what brings color, story, and texture to life within the city of San Luis Obispo, honoring local artists' visions and creative work.

Overview:

On single days of service, volunteers meet with the City's Public Art Coordinator, who remains on site with them, to learn about the piece(s) of art, how it will be cleaned, and are provided with all tools and resources needed for a safe and successful shift. Volunteers will hopefully walk away with a sense of pride for their efforts, a greater understanding (and perhaps appreciation) for public art, and perhaps a new friend or two of like mind. Learn more in this short reel from a Bronze Sculpture Cleaning Day.

What to expect: 

Generally held over the span of two or three hours, volunteers can expect to bend, kneel, squat, and stretch to dust, buff, and polish the public art for the day. A few days before the shift, the City's Volunteer Program will email all registrants with specifics for the day, including: 

This role is great for: 

Community members looking to get out and involved in SLO, meet fellow service-minded neighbors, learn about art and how to protect it, and don't mind moving and grooving to get the job done. School students studying art, clubs and groups with members seeking physical volunteer opportunities, retirees with time on their hands, active professionals with employee-supported volunteer programs may find these service days especially meaningful.

For support or questions, please contact the City of San Luis Obispo's Volunteer Program: 

[email protected]

(805) 858-0771 (call/text) Monday - Thursday 8 AM to 4 PM

Picture this: 

Collaborate on an exciting volunteer opportunity to serve alongside our Parks and Recreation Ranger Service Division to build dirt jumps under the guidance and supervision of City staff. This is a community-driven pilot project and volunteers play a crucial role in the ongoing success of the bike park; once construction is complete, ongoing maintenance will be performed by volunteers. 

Tasks are generally consistent week-to-week with any significant variation communicated to volunteers with ample notice. Service days typically involve using hand tools (e.g., shovels, picks, hoes, rakes, etc.) to shape the park and form the course through building out features. 

For more information on the role, scope of responsibilities, and physical requirements, please view the Volunteer Position Description. 

We hope you'll take part in this rewarding way to serve the biking community of San Luis Obispo and learn foundational bike course design and construction as well as maintenance skills alongside like-minded community members.

Compost, and Raking, and Worms oh my! If you enjoy being in the garden, don't mind getting dirty and befriending insects, and are willing to roll up your sleeves alongside fellow-compost-loving community members, you might find your volunteer home as a Community Garden Service Day Volunteer with the City of San Luis Obispo!  Whether you’re new to all things soil or have a ‘Master Gardener’ magnet on your fridge, this volunteer opportunity is for those with an interest and ability to contribute their time, talent, and physical efforts to support City personnel with essential maintenance and beautification to one of our six Community Gardens on a Service Day. Volunteers’ aid will offer a safer, tidier, well-maintained space for community members to enjoy the outdoor environment. 

Bring your willingness to learn and desire to get dirty! All resources, training, and support will be provided for a successful and meaningful experience.   

Please see the Volunteer Position Description (click here!) for more information on the role, scope of responsibilities and expectations.

Volunteers are to register on Engage SLO and respond to this opportunity, completing a Volunteer Waiver and submitting a few onboarding questions along the way. You may register as an individual or as part of a team - great for community service, workplace give-back or team-building, and more! Please email our Volunteer Program at: [email protected] for more information. We look forward to seeing you in the garden!