Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Do you enjoy customer service and long drives? Experience the changing seasons as you drive a designated route through the parks delivering mail to park staff. Courier volunteers start at the MetroParks Main Office to gather mail, then drive a MetroParks vehicle between park offices delivering packages, mail, and other items.

NORTH PARKS ROUTE: 8:30 - 11:30am

Eastwood/Huffman Carriage Hill Taylorsville Englewood/Aullwood Garden Wegerzyn Gardens Central

SOUTH PARKS ROUTE: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Adventure Central / Wesleyan Possum Creek MetroPark Twin Valley / Germantown  Cox Arboretum  Impact

Volunteers provide quality administrative support to MetroParks staff, which enhances the efficiency of our operations and allows staff to dedicate more time to driving our mission forward.

Tasks Provide excellent customer service.  Be courteous and helpful to the general public, volunteers, and staff. Sort and distribute packages, mail, and other items. Regularly lift 10-15 pounds and occasionally lift as much as 25 pounds. Practice safe driving habits at all times. Practice confidentiality regarding all MetroParks personnel and business matters. Refuel vehicle at pre-identified locations during each shift. Complete vehicle use forms each shift and report any vehicle malfunction or service needs to Staff Lead immediately. Maintain open communication with the Staff Lead at all times. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long Term ages 18 and up who have trained and qualified as Volunteer Couriers. Learn more about our types of service here.This opportunity is currently not open for new volunteers. Additional Notes Commitment: Due to the training time invested in this opportunity, we are asking volunteers to commit to 1 year of service as a regularly scheduled Volunteer Courier. Volunteers must maintain a Valid Ohio driver’s license, provide proof of insurance, and submit a driver’s screening. Volunteers must submit to a standard drug test in the event of an accident. Parking and Meeting Instructions: Volunteers can park their vehicles in the MetroParks Main office lot, as long as a MetroParks Volunteer Hangtag is displayed in the front windshield.  Check in with the Visitor Services staff at the Main Office front desk upon arrival. Dress: Volunteers must wear a volunteer nametag and a high-visibility vest. Volunteers must carry a mobile phone during their shift for use in the event of an emergency. Cancelation: Email the list of Courier Volunteers to arrange a shift swap or a substitute. Notify the staff lead and Volunteer Coordinator of a shift swap, substitution, or cancellation with as much advance notice as possible. If you must cancel a shift less than 48 hours before the shift start time, please unregister your shift from Get Connected, AND call the staff lead. Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Administration Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks actively promotes landscaping with native plants in balance with traditional garden selections to inspire visitors. Come volunteer alongside staff and volunteers as you help with this important conservation project!

Impact

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans. 

Tasks  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

A recurring opportunity to join our conservation efforts at Wegerzyn. Tasks could include removing invasive species, implementing tree stakes & cages to protect young native trees, planting new trees and shrubs, or other conservation-related tasks.Eligibility  This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Adults.  Learn more about our types of service here.
Additional NotesParking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.  Project work will primarily take place at the newly acquired Foxton Court property. Staff will reach out prior to the shift with specific parking and meeting location details—please keep an eye on your email. As always, look for the “Volunteer Event” signage when you arrive.Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call staff lead Payton Johnson at 513-292-8303.Environment & Physical Demands: This project takes place outdoors. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in frequent walking, kneeling, bending, and working off-trail in uneven terrain, tall grass, or thick vegetation. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. ​ Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Conservation Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.

Join our Outdoor Recreation team and help create an enjoyable experience for participants exploring new MetroParks and outdoor activities in a supportive and safe environment! Our Hiking for Older Adults program is designed to equip individuals with the essential knowledge and skills they need to embark on day hikes with confidence and ease. Volunteers will assist participants in discovering the benefits of using trekking poles, which will be available for everyone to try. With the guidance of our staff, volunteers will enhance the hiking experience as participants explore the beauty of nature, increase their physical activity, and uncover new trails.

Embrace this opportunity to improve both your physical and mental well-being while supporting others in the stunning surroundings of MetroParks!   This opportunity will be at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, and hiking the Marie Aull trail.  Participants will be hiking an easy-to-moderate trail while enjoying the beauty of this site.  

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks Greet and welcome participants. Assist with check-in of participants. Assist the staff lead during the program to create a better learning environment for this unique group hike. Help distribute program materials and supplies as needed. Assist participants in staying with the group by hiking with them, observing any participant changes, and keeping the staff lead aware of any participants having difficulty. Share Park highlights, nature tidbits, and information the staff shares with participants further back on the hike. Assist the staff lead in ensuring all participants feel they are part of the program Assist with clean-up and equipment tear-down after the program if needed.  Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers:  Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet the staff in the parking lot. Your shift time begins 30 minutes before the program starts for quick review and last-minute prep, and to introduce you to the program.Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors!  Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.), and seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.).  Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. The environment may have uneven terrain, and communication between the leader of the hike and volunteers may use a point-to-point radio. Volunteers should be able to hike the distance of the trails (3 miles in 2 hours).  Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt. Items like water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray may help make your hike more comfortable. If you have not yet received your MetroParks name badge, please reach out to volunteer services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more information on Programming volunteer opportunities with us.