Individual Volunteer Opportunities

Help keep Cleveland Metroparks free of debris! Clean Team members go out on their own to pick up litter and debris throughout our 18 reservations. Clean parks mean a safe and enjoyable experience for guests. Clean parks also provide a healthy environment for native plants and wildlife to thrive. Join our team today! Only Clean Team volunteers and other authorized volunteers and staff are permitted to clean up litter in the parks. Please consider joining our volunteer program to get started. If you are looking for a group clean-up project, please click here to submit a project request form.
 

REQUIREMENTS

• Age: 16 and older: Cleveland Metroparks Clean Team volunteers ages 16 and 17 must go out in pairs either with a fellow Clean Team volunteer or a parent/guardian.
• Time Commitment: 10 hours a year to remain an active CMP volunteer
• Qualifications: Motivation to keep our park system clean!
• Training: Thoroughly read through and understand the Clean Team Training Guide (provided upon admission as a volunteer).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use your own small garbage bags from home to pick up litter throughout the parks.
• Provide information to park guests when asked.
• Retain CMP Police phone numbers in your cell phone for potential reporting of suspicious items found in the parks.
• Recycle appropriate items and dispose of the rest after your shift.
• Report service hours and number of bags collected after each shift in Volunteer Management Database.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

Recruitment is now open! Help secure a future for wildlife by connecting guests with wildlife and inspire them to take personal responsibility for conserving the natural world.

Do you love animals? Do you want to help secure a future for tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas and other species by inspiring others? If so, consider becoming a Volunteer Zoo Ambassador. 

Zoo Ambassadors walk the Zoo, greeting and assisting as many guests as possible. They are an important resource in connecting guests to wildlife and conservation. They help provide a fun and safe environment for everyone who visits the Zoo. You can make a difference, join us in securing a future for wildlife.  

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older

• Time Commitment: 36 hours per year

• Qualifications: Friendly and willing to interact with the public, able to stand or walk for up to 3 hours. There are limited opportunities for seated shifts. Willing and able to utilize technology (cell phone, Internet, email).

• Training: All new volunteers will go through a multi-part training program (mix of virtual and in-person) with two follow-up mentor sessions led by experienced Zoo volunteers. More details on the training program are available at the information sessions.

Responsibilities

• Help visitors connect with wildlife. Help guest spot animals and inform them of special programs going on at the Zoo.

• Greet guests, assist in crowd control and provide directions when needed.

• Respond informatively to guest questions and concerns. When necessary, connect guests with staff.

• Help guests gain an appreciation for wildlife by modeling respectful behavior towards the animals in the Zoo's care.

• Please note there is no animal handling or direct animal contact involved in any Zoo Ambassador activities.

Current Zoo Ambassadors may apply for other positions at the Zoo as openings arise. These include limited openings in our Docent Program, Operations support and Animal Care roles. Animal Handling and direct animal contact are limited in these roles.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Zoo Crew

Teens (ages 13-17) assist Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Education Division by actively participating in various conservation and interpretation projects. For more information, please visit our Zoo Crew Page.

Recruitment opens early 2023. Those who are interested should be engaged in a Cleveland Metroparks volunteer assignment before joining the Trail Ambassador Program. Click here to become a Cleveland Metroparks Volunteer.

Do you love to hike or bike Cleveland Metroparks 18 reservations? Do you feel the need to offer assistance to those in need? If so, consider becoming a Volunteer Trail Ambassador. Help keep our trails and park guests safe while enjoying your favorite trails. Trail Ambassadors provide extra eyes and ears in the reservations and contribute to many facets of guest experience and park operations. They provide valuable assistance and information to guests while monitoring trail conditions. Their involvement is key to keeping the 300 miles of Cleveland Metroparks trails safe and fully accessible to guests. Cleveland Metroparks Trail Ambassador Volunteer Program is the proud recipient of the 2017 Trail Promotion and Education Award presented by American Trails.

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older

• Time Commitment: 40 hours per year + annual training

• Qualifications: Friendly and helpful demeanor. Hike or bike for a minimum of two hours in various weather conditions. Comfortable utilizing technology (cell phone, Internet, email)

• Certifications: First Aid and CPR/AED (training provided)

Responsibilities

• Monitor designated trails throughout all Cleveland Metroparks reservations
• Greet park visitors and provide information when needed
• Become a Basic First Responder to provide medical care and call for emergency support services
• Report any maintenance, law enforcement or other issues to Cleveland Metroparks
• Promote the shared trail concept and act as a role model for all trail users

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

 

With the support of Youth Outdoors staff, volunteer assistants help provide hands-on outdoor experiences for youth. We are always grateful for those individuals who are able to commit to helping our young adventurers learn new skills, discover nature and better themselves. Click here to learn more.

Golf volunteers assist in the operation of Cleveland Metroparks eight courses located throughout the Park District while providing great customer service to enhance the golf experience of our guests. This opportunity is typically available spring through fall, as the weather permits.

Golf Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older with a valid driver’s license 
• Time Commitment: (2) 6-hour shifts per week to be eligible for extra volunteer benefits
• Qualifications: Basic knowledge of golf etiquette and willingness to volunteer weekends and holidays with varying volunteer schedules

Responsibilities

Patrolling the course to assist golfers in maintaining a proper pace of play, locating golf balls out of range, offering amenities such as water, pencils, and scorecards, and ensuring golf etiquette, rules and safety policies are being followed by all golfers. Other duties include preparing hand pull carts and power cars for rental.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Proshop Retail Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Time Commitment: (2) 6-hour shifts per week to be eligible for extra volunteer benefits
• Qualifications: Basic knowledge of golf etiquette and willingness to volunteer weekends and holidays with varying volunteer schedules

Responsibilities

• Greet golfers and answer questions about golf course facilities, services and special events
• Schedule tee reservations and sell greens fees, merchandise, range tokens, rental of power carts and golf equipment
• Assist in straightening merchandise and cleaning
• Assist with inventory and deliveries
• Assist staff during outing events

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

Cleveland Metroparks' Watershed Volunteer Program (WVP) is an effort to engage Northeast Ohio residents in protecting their local watersheds by offering activities in learning, monitoring, restoration, and outreach. Volunteers will have the opportunity to customize their own Watershed Steward journey by choosing projects and activities that reflect their interests in watershed science, the ability to complete an optional Watershed Stewardship Certification, and opportunities to pursue independent projects to further their involvement. 

Want to learn more?

• Watch this short video and hear about the program from volunteers
• Take a peek at upcoming events using the WVP website
• Subscribe to WVP Enews to stay informed about WVP events open to the public

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Assist with special programs, welcome visitors with a smile, put that green thumb to use, show off your shopping skills, or become a Citizen Scientist.  These are just a few of the volunteer opportunities awaiting you at our Nature Centers and neighboring reservations. Choose your favorite location and start exploring.  Visit the Nature Center Volunteers page for more information.

Within the Park District, the Natural Resources Division monitors native plant and wildlife populations, identifies, protects and manages endangered species and habitats, improves water quality and promotes fisheries in appropriate bodies of water. You can be a part of our conservation efforts.

Camera Survey Volunteer – Field

Recruitment Closed

Requirements

• Age: 16 and older
• Time Commitment: Flexible schedule
• Qualifications: Must be comfortable and physically able to navigate outdoors (sometimes off trail, steep slopes, crossing streams) and be able to bend over and kneel down; Orienteering, Google Maps, GPS and/or map reading experience helpful, willing to work outside in all temperatures and varying weather conditions, sensitive to private property lines and off-limits areas

Responsibilities

Assists staff with the collection scientific data. Duties include:

• Check cameras and adjust settings (some located in wet and remote areas in rough terrain)
• Collect and replace camera cards and batteries
• Learn to properly use remote cameras and camera card readers

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Camera Survey Volunteer – Administrative

Recruitment Closed

Requirements

• Age: 16 and older
• Time Commitment: Flexible schedule, may work from home
• Qualifications: Must be comfortable using a computer and sitting for extended periods of time, wildlife identification knowledge/experience, attention to detail and good record keeping skills

Responsibilities

• Assists staff with the identification of scientific data by reviewing millions of images.
• Download camera cards, review data and identify and record wildlife
• Learn to properly use computer programs

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

Outdoor Recreation volunteers assist in fostering the growth of an outdoor recreation culture in Northeast Ohio through programs such as: backpacking, camping, cross-country skiing, cycling, rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, races/events, snowshoeing, yoga, etc.

Program Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Time Commitment: Available on weekday evenings and weekends; primarily during summer months
• Qualifications: Enjoy working with people of all ages and abilities, possess public speaking ability, First Aid/CPR certifications preferred, but not required. For paddling and rock climbing programs, must be able to lift 45 pounds.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Power Boat Safety Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 21 and older
• Time Commitment: Available on weekday evenings and weekends; primarily during summer months
• Certifications: First Aid/CPR (training provided); Ohio Boating Education Course or equivalent; Essentials of Close Quarter Boat Control Course or equivalent
• Qualifications: Power boating experience, safely operate power boat and be willing to transport a paddler to safety in case of an emergency, demonstrate proper use of a VHF marine radio and AIS radar.

Responsibilities

Offer aid to the program instructor by providing informational and safety support during paddling excursions on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.

• Assist instructor with monitoring boat traffic during guided tours using an AIS system
• Serve as additional safety assistance and communicate safety needs to tour leaders throughout the program
• Communicate clearly and concisely via marine radio with boat captains, US Coast Guard, tour leaders and other vessel operators as needed

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL MONITOR

Trail Monitors play a vital role by providing daily updates to the public about mountain bike trail conditions. Each monitor is trained by Metroparks staff on how to identify conditions that indicate trail closure. The monitor checks on a mountain bike trail in any reservation, then updates a shared twitter account to provide timely information to users.

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Check a mountain bike trail on the same morning every week, every other week, or once a month
• Update the shared twitter account no later than 10 a.m. on that day
• Hike up to 2 miles on varying terrain
• Take photos of any trail damage or hazards and submit them promptly
• Communicate proactively with Metroparks staff if you expect to miss a day or your availability changes
• Create your own twitter account if you don't already have one (this is required for you to access the shared account, but you won't be expected to post to your own account)

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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TRAIL TRACKER

Trail Trackers are key volunteers for Metroparks trails, ensuring that trails remain clearly marked and free from hazards. Trackers are paired with a single trail, and their primary task is walking that trail once each month to report key information. Trackers are trained by Metroparks staff in what to expect and what to report on their trail.

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Walk your assigned trail at least once each month
• Hike up to 4 miles through varying terrain
• Fill out an online form to report signage conditions and general trail hazards
• Take photos of any sign damage or theft and submit them promptly
• Must be willing to use personal smart phone and personal data

BECOME A VOLUNTEER