Volunteer opportunities
Thousands of residents are making positive changes in our community by lending their time and talents through Volusia County Government’s volunteer programs. Volunteers rescue stranded sea turtles, clean river banks, help prevent crime, assist library staff, serve on advisory boards, and more.
Below is a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in an opportunity that is currently filled, you may be able to sign up to become a Volusia County Government volunteer and then apply if it becomes open.
Advisory Boards
Volusia County Government
Volusia County Government has 29 advisory boards composed of citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Volusia County Council. These boards serve an essential role in the policy-making process by providing the county council with in-depth assessments of issues related to their area of expertise. Qualified citizens are encouraged to apply to become a board member by completing an application available in the county manager's office or online.
Animal Services
Volunteering in the Clinic
Volunteers are needed to help ensure that our clinic continues to maintain the highest standards of care, compassion, cleanliness and efficiency. Volunteers wash instruments, wrap packs, help with laundry, clean common areas, mop, disinfect and run disinfectant machines and clean and set up cages. They also greet citizens, aid in checking in animals, monitor animals waking up, assist with patient discharge, feed and water RTF (return-to-field) cats and check out traps to the public. Other volunteer tasks include making surgery appointments and reminder phone calls and assisting with data entry. For additional information or to volunteer, contact Judi Wilkinson at 386-248-1790 or jbwilkinson@volusia.org
Sign up to become a Volusia County Government volunteer or log into to your account. If the opportunity is currently open, you can then apply online: Volunteer Sign-Up and Online Application
Volunteering in the Field
There are numerous opportunities to volunteer with Animal Services in the field. They include contacting citizens to see if they need resources for their pets, delivering tags to veterinary offices, handling calls regarding nuisance cats, cleaning traps and contacting defendants who need resources such as a dog house or fence to come into compliance. For additional information or to volunteer, contact Judi Wilkinson at 386-248-1790 or jbwilkinson@volusia.org
Sign up to become a Volusia County Government volunteer or log into to your account. If the opportunity is currently open, you can then apply online: Volunteer Sign-Up and Online Application
Volunteering In Administration
For those who prefer to volunteer in an office setting, we are in need of people willing to donate their time to help in areas such as data entry, special events planning and volunteer support on the day of event, researching grant opportunities, helping with fundraising and identifying in-kind donors such as those interested in donating things like pet food, dog houses, fencing services and animal behavior services. Our volunteers also disinfect common areas, place reminder phone calls to those with expired pet licenses and help coordinate volunteer activities by creating schedules for volunteers and assisting with the training of other volunteers. For additional information or to volunteer, contact Judi Wilkinson at 386-248-1790 or jbwilkinson@volusia.org
Sign up to become a Volusia County Government volunteer or log into to your account. If the opportunity is currently open, you can then apply online: Volunteer Sign-Up and Online Application
Daytona Beach International Airport
Airport Ambassadors
Friendly volunteers greet passengers, answer general questions, give out flight information, offer hotel and taxi information, and point out area sights. View more information.
Environmental Management
Adopt-a-Beach
More than 150 volunteers, including families and organizations, commit to cleaning trash along their favorite mile of beach. A clean beach is pleasant for us and safer for wildlife! With support and supplies, groups clean their mile at least four times a year. View more information.
Jay Watch Volunteers
Volunteers monitor federally threatened scrub jays in Lyonia Preserve from June 15 through July 15. This Audubon Florida program trains volunteers to go to set points, call in scrub jays, and record information about them. Contact Christie Miller at 386-789-7207 ext. 21025 or clmiller@volusia.org.
Lyonia Environmental Center
Volunteers assist with educational programs and field trips, lead guided hikes through Lyonia Preserve, staff special events, help to create educational materials, and participate in outreach programs. For more information, visit www.lyoniapreserve.com.
Manatee Watch
Nearly 150 volunteers report manatee sightings around the county and take photos for identification, sketch scar patterns, and record behavior. The information gathered provides vital manatee data that helps protection efforts. View more information.
Monofilament Recovery and Recycling
This group, which has 60 volunteers, empties monofilament bins once a month. They clean the line; remove hooks, bobbers and sinkers; recycle the line; and record data. Monofilament fishing line poses numerous threats to the environment, wildlife and humans. View more information.
River, beach and spring clean-ups
More than 1,000 volunteers turn out each year to remove trash from the beach, DeLeon Springs, and the banks of the Halifax/Indian and St. Johns rivers. View more information.
Scouting groups
Eagle Scout candidates and scouting groups often volunteer to work on projects on Volusia County conservation lands. Projects have included bench and picnic table construction, re-vegetation of wetland ponds, and cutting and marking of trails. Contact Christie Miller at 386-789-7207 ext. 21025 or clmiller@volusia.org.
Volunteer Volusia
Volusia County has many opportunities to get involved. Join our network of professionals and volunteers in the protection, restoration and appreciation of Volusia County's natural resources. View more information.
Washback Watchers
This team of more than 50 permitted volunteers is trained to find and rescue young sea turtles that wash ashore due to heavy winds and surf. Volunteers look for the sea turtles in seaweed deposits that have been washed onto shore. The program is a partnership among Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division, the Marine Science Center, Beach Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Volusia Turtle Patrol, Volusia Sea Turtle Society, and Ecological Associates. View more information.
Library Services
Library Volunteers and Friends of the Library
Nearly 800 volunteers assist library staff at public service desks, check materials in and out, shelve returned materials, help to process new materials, assist with children's programs, and make telephone calls to patrons with overdue materials or reserved items ready for pickup. Friends groups are active at 14 branches throughout Volusia County. For more information contact your local branch. View a list of the branches at https://www.volusialibrary.org/VCPLbranches.html.
Marine Science Center
Education Department
Volunteers in the education department play a vital role helping convey the Marine Science Center’s educational and conservation message. There are many opportunities including docents, special educational programming, summer camps, animal feeding programs, special events and administrative assistance. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Sea Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital cares for a high volume of sick or injured sea turtles, gopher tortoises and other reptiles. Due to the critical nature of these endangered species, volunteers are carefully trained to help with the maintenance of the animal exhibits and day-to-day operations necessary to make the hospital run smoothly. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Center
Volunteers in the Seabird Hospital help care for the wide variety of birds that enter the hospital for rehabilitation as well as resident birds on exhibit. Volunteers are trained to help maintain the exhibits and hospital. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Aquarium and Life Support Department
Caring for the animals on exhibit and in rehabilitation is dependent on a number of important duties that trained volunteers assist with. These duties include testing water quality, food preparation, feeding animals, and aquarium and life support maintenance. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Guest Services
Volunteering in the Guest Services Department offers an excellent opportunity to provide memorable guest interactions. Whether you are assisting customers with purchases or displaying merchandise, each MSC Guest Services team member is a representative of the County of Volusia. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Maintenance Department
This department assists with facility work for the Marine Science Center. Volunteers will have the opportunity to gain experience working on facility and life support projects. Visit www.marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm for more information.
Parks, Recreation and Culture
Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a Trail programs
Volunteers help to beautify the county’s parks and trails and keep them litter-free. Community organizations, businesses, school groups and individuals over the age of 18 may volunteer to adopt a park or trail in their community. Call 386-736-5953. The selected park must maintained by Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Botanical Gardens of Volusia
This volunteer group leases and maintains the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens historic site in Port Orange and has created a beautifully landscaped garden. The park hosts many weddings and special events. More than 100 volunteers are dedicated to preserving the park’s historic nature, while enhancing its beauty with lush plants and landscaped areas. For more information, visit www.dunlawtonsugarmill.bizland.com.
DeBary Hall Docents
Volunteers serve as tour guides at DeBary Hall Historic Site. View more information.
Sheriff’s Office
Citizen Observer Program (COP) and Citizen Volunteer Auxiliary Program
More than 200 COP volunteers assist deputies in combating crime by patrolling neighborhoods and acting as extra eyes and ears for the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Citizens Volunteer Auxiliary Program provides professional, technical, clerical and computer assistance at locations throughout the agency. For more information on either program, email COPS@vcso.us or visit http://www.volusiasheriff.org/services/community-programs.stml
Solid Waste Division
Adopt-a-Road
Groups volunteer to clean at least one mile or the entire length of a road’s right of way four times a year. The county has several active groups. View more information.
University of Florida/Volusia County Extension
Volusia County Master Gardener Program
The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a citizen-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the residents of Volusia County. The program consists of trained volunteers who have an interest in gardening and giving back to their communities. Examples of programs found throughout the county include, Ask the Master Gardener Plant Clinics, the Master Gardener Speaker Series, plant sales, and informational booths throughout the county. Those who are interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer can contact the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Volusia County Urban Horticulture agent and Master Gardener Coordinator at 386-822-5778.
Florida LAKEWATCH Program
Florida LAKEWATCH is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that facilitates "hands-on" citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, estuaries, rivers, and springs through monthly monitoring activities. LAKEWATCH is now one of the largest lake monitoring programs in the nation with over 1800 trained citizens currently monitoring 525 lakes, 175 estuary stations, 125 river stations, 20 coastal dune lakes and 10 spring runs in 57 counties. Those who are interested can contact the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Volusia County Natural Resources agent at 386-822-5778.
Florida Money Master Mentors
The Florida Master Money Mentor (FMMM) program is a coordinated referral network designed to match mentors trained in increasing financial knowledge and promoting positive financial practices with people needing these skills. Volunteers receive approximately 20 hours of intensive training in basic money management, strategies for dealing with financial problems, credit and debt management, savings, mentoring techniques, and connecting to community resources. Following the training, each volunteer provides financial mentoring for at least 50 hours within one year of completion of training. Anyone is welcome to apply to become a mentor and no previous financial education is needed. Those who are interested in becoming a Volusia County Money Master Mentor can contact the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Volusia County Family Consumer Science agent at 386-822-5778.
Volusia County 4-H Program
Volusia County 4-H relies on dedicated volunteers to promote the 4-H mission to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. Your time as a volunteer will provide these youth the safe environment they need to pursue whatever interests, causes, and/or leadership roles that are most important to them. Volunteers can lead 4-H clubs, judge events, and assist with leadership skills. Those who are interested in becoming a Volusia County 4-H volunteer can contact the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Volusia County 4-H agent at 386-822-5778.