City of Boise Volunteer Guidelines

Welcome to the City of Boise!

Volunteers are a positive force within our organization and provide a tremendous service to the city. Prior to beginning your volunteer experience, you should receive a program overview from your volunteer coordinator/supervisor. If you have any questions after reviewing the guidelines below, please reach out to them.

All city volunteers are subject to the city’s Volunteer Regulation 2.01p

Read the Volunteer Regulation

Certain volunteer positions require a criminal history background check (fingerprint-based) prior to volunteering. These positions include, but are not limited to, those where volunteers will have unsupervised accessibility to minors, seniors or individuals with disabilities as well as those positions involving sensitive and/or confidential information.

Volunteers are expected to report to their volunteer assignment on time and remain until their designated ending time unless released by the volunteer coordinator/supervisor. Because the nature of volunteer service varies across the city, starting, quitting and meal/break times vary according to the need of the particular department.

Volunteers may be required to wear a badge, vest, name pin, hat or other volunteer identification when representing the city. In additional to identifying the wearer as a city volunteer, volunteer identification may also serve as access to designated areas.

All volunteers should practice common sense rules of neatness, cleanliness and comfort. Professional appearance also means maintaining good personal hygiene and grooming. Your volunteer coordinator will inform you if your particular volunteer position has specific clothing requirements or restrictions.

• Conduct – always conduct oneself in a manner that is respectful, courteous and professional
• Speech – speaking with the intent to intimidate, bully, harass or discriminate against others is strictly prohibited as well as the use of any profane or abusive language
• Harassment – harassing, discriminating or engaging in inappropriate speech or conduct towards another based upon an individual’s protected characteristic(s) (i.e., religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, race, color, genetic information or national origin) is prohibited
• Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco – use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco is prohibited while volunteering
• Boundaries – all personal boundaries are to be respected, including people’s personal space

The city’s Code of Ethics applies all city officials, officers, employees, and volunteers and is a comprehensive tool to consult when you have questions, concerns or complaints related to ethics.

View Ethics Handbook

While volunteering for the city, volunteers may not engage in political speech or activities as a city representative unless it is part of their volunteer duties.

The safety of volunteers, employees and the general public is of primary importance to the city. All volunteers shall continuously employ and promote safety protocols and maintain property and equipment in a safe operating condition.

As a city volunteer you have a legal and ethical obligation to notify Child Protection Services (CPS) within 24 hours or, in the case of an emergency, the police, if you have reason to believe a minor has been abused, abandoned or neglected, or if you observe a minor being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse, abandonment or neglect. If you suspect this, immediately notify your volunteer coordinator/supervisor, who will direct you on how to make a report to CPS. Reports made in good faith will remain anonymous and the reporter shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. Abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional and/or verbal.

In limited circumstances, a volunteer may need to drive a city vehicle. When this is necessary the volunteer must complete an online driving safety course (at no cost to them) and review the city’s Vehicle Usage Regulation before driving a city vehicle. The volunteer must be age 19 or older and show proof of a current and valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Notify your volunteer coordinator/supervisor immediately if you or a program participant is injured.

At the end of your volunteer service all city property (volunteer identification badge; keys; city clothing; etc.) shall be returned to your volunteer coordinator/supervisor at the end of your final volunteer shift.

We appreciate and thank you for the time and service you are contributing toward the city’s mission of creating a city for everyone!