Skilled Trades

Five Rivers MetroParks' skilled trades volunteers are at the heart of our mission, bringing creativity and expertise to a variety of projects and programs! Get ready for hands-on experiences that span both historical and contemporary settings. Dive into activities that include crafting with small tools, exploring the art of blacksmithing, working with textiles, and woodworking. In some opportunities, you will have the chance to engage the public through dynamic demonstrations, sharing your passion and knowledge with others. Prior experience is a plus and required for some opportunities. Volunteers bring their excitement for MetroParks, their skills to the project, and help make more things possible. Join us and be part of something truly special.

About This Position

This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who are 18 years or older and possess skills and knowledge in blacksmithing, tools and equipment, teaching, textiles, and woodworking. If you are interested in park beautification, artisan crafts, education, history, and farm life, and are looking for a long-term, regular volunteer position, this may be an ideal fit for you. Volunteers should be willing to commit to ongoing training and service.

This is more than just a volunteer role; it’s a chance to engage with your community and share your expertise. Whether you prefer behind-the-scenes support or hands-on interaction with participants, there’s a place for you here. Each project will have unique time commitments, but all roles will involve ongoing training and a commitment to service.

What to Know Before You Get Started

• Skilled trade opportunities require volunteer onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and an eligible background check).
• Opportunities within skilled trades require previous knowledge, training, and/or annual check-offs to qualify. If an opportunity requires training, you will be prompted to start that training process when you respond to the opportunity. Training requirements can often be found in the Eligibility section of the opportunity.
• Some opportunities may also include shadow experience and a skills check-off.
  
  • What is a Shadow Experience? An opportunity for those volunteers in training to serve and learn more about the specific position and information needed to be successful in the role. You will be partnered with a qualified and experienced volunteer and/or Staff Lead during this shadow experience to observe, learn, and practice the skills.
• Tools, supplies, and instructions are provided, unless noted otherwise.
• Most skilled trades opportunities happen at Cox Arboretum or Carriage Hill MetroParks.
• Opportunities are offered on weekdays, weekday evenings, and weekends, depending on the season and the specific program or project.

Skilled trade volunteers play an active role in general maintenance, repair, and fabrication, often using hand and power tools once they have received proper training and certification. Some of these individuals don't just work behind the scenes; they engage with park visitors, answering questions and serve as ambassadors for Five Rivers MetroParks for those visiting.  The volunteers at Carriage Hill MetroPark engage with the public by supporting educational programs and various events. They demonstrate traditional skills in areas such as historic blacksmithing, woodworking, and textiles. 

Get Started

There are a few different ways to get involved as a Program Support skilled trades volunteer, depending on what you’re looking for:

• Find Opportunities that interest you
• Review the qualifications needed
  For volunteers interested in building skills, volunteering regularly, or supporting specific projects over time.
• Complete your onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check)
• Start your training for:
  • Cox Woodworkers
  • Historic Blacksmith
  • Historic Woodwork
  • Textile volunteers provide skills information to complete the initial qualification
• You will be prompted to complete all required qualifications, including the training series, when you click the blue "RESPOND" button for each opportunity.

View the available Skilled Trades Volunteer Position opportunities below. Simply click the blue "VIEW DETAILS" button to learn more about each opportunity.
To sign up, click the blue "RESPOND" button and complete any required qualifications.

Want to Branch Out?

Want to explore other ways to get involved? There are many volunteer opportunities across MetroParks that offer similar experiences, skills, or ways to make an impact.

• Historic Interpreter
• Carriage Hill Farm Chores
• Trail Maintenance

Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks!

Have questions or need help finding the right fit?

Reach out to the Volunteer Services team at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or 937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator. You can also join us at a Volunteer Open House, an in-person opportunity to learn more about volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks.