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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Volunteer/Application for New Volunteers

Application for New Volunteers

Application Process for New Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Seattle Public Schools! Whether you are a parent, a family member, or a community member, the following resources will help you prepare to volunteer with our students.

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Safety First! Only approved volunteers can serve in SPS schools.

SPS serves 50,000 children and youth. We are committed to carefully screening volunteer candidates to ensure student safety as required by law, SPS policies, and the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool (our insurance provider).

Learn about our volunteer application process below.

Not Sure if You Applied to Volunteer with SPS in the Past?

Please visit our volunteer portal guide for step-by-step instructions – section titled “How to verify if you already have a volunteer portal account“

Important: Read First Before Applying!

Only individuals recruited by SPS to directly support SPS personnel and SPS-sponsored activities may use the following volunteer application process. If you are a community partner staff or volunteer, a PTO/PTSA volunteer, private service provider, enrichment vendor, or receive payment from any source (SPS or otherwise) for the services you plan on providing, you are not eligible to proceed.

The volunteer application process varies depending on the type of volunteer. Please carefully read about each type below to determine which application process is right for you.

School Volunteers (Category A, B, and C)

Category A Volunteers:

  • Volunteers recruited by SPS and supporting SPS-sponsored activities (e.g. classroom instruction, field trip, lunch or recess).
  • This volunteer role can include direct student contact if the volunteer is supervised.
  • District personnel must be on-site and within view if the volunteer will interact with students. Alternatively, another approved adult SPS volunteer must participate in the activity and always be present.
  • Examples: classroom or library assistance, field trip planning, office or recess support, and school newsletter editor.

Category B Volunteers:

  • Volunteers recruited by SPS to chaperone SPS-sponsored field trips longer than three days (e.g., Nov. 5 departure and Nov. 8 return)
  • Category B remote/virtual volunteers are matched with remote roles more intentionally, have their references checked specifically for online interactions with children and youth, and are required to follow extra safety protocols.
  • Category B volunteers can also perform all Category A volunteer roles.

Category C Volunteers:

Some school leaders elect to allow Category C clearance level for select volunteers in their building. If this is the case, Category C approval is always initiated by the school leader via the Invite Form.

Field Trip Chaperones and Drivers

Only approved Category A or B School Volunteers can be recruited to serve in field trip chaperone or driver roles. Additional steps and screening are required.

To apply to be a field trip chaperone and/or driver:

  1. Must be at least 21 years old for K-8 field trips and 25 years old for grades 9-12.
  2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
  3. Since field trip chaperones and drivers are entrusted with student supervision responsibilities, they must also learn about safety and understand SPS student supervision guidelines. Check with the field trip organizer and review the Field Trips Procedures page.

Internal Volunteers (Students and SPS Employees)

Student Volunteers

SPS students who volunteer at schools other than their assigned school are required to complete and submit the district School Volunteer application. The application is also advised if the student is volunteering in their own school to document service-learning hours.

The online application generates a parental agreement section when the applicant is a minor. Please note minors must be supervised by adults when volunteering with SPS students.

To apply to be a student school volunteer:

  1. Reach out to the school of your choice to check their current volunteer opportunities.
  2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
Employee Volunteers

Full-time and part-time employees can volunteer their time in roles that are different from their paid work duties and outside their paid time. They must complete the SPS school volunteer application and chaperone guidelines if applicable. Substitute employees must complete the same steps as non-employees to volunteer with SPS (see school volunteer section above).

Additional background checks or proof of completing the Adult Sexual Misconduct Prevention course are not required (already verified by HR). Please apply using your SPS email address for easier identification.

To apply to be an employee school volunteer:

  1. Reach out to the teacher of your student or the school of your choice to check their current volunteer opportunities.
  2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
  3. In the application, please use your SPS email address for easier identification.

Remote Volunteers

Remote Volunteers perform volunteer duties from home, work, or any location other than the classroom, school building, grounds, or any other type of school property.

To apply to be a remote volunteer:

  1. Ask the staff member who recruited you for support to determine if the role will be a Category A or Category B school volunteer (see school volunteer section above).
  2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.

Volunteer Enhancement Projects

One-Time Volunteer Enhancement Projects Volunteers

One-time Volunteer Enhancement Projects volunteers must complete a short Event Volunteer registration in the online Volunteer Portal.

To apply to be a one-time project volunteer, review instructions on the Volunteer Enhancement Projects page.

    Ongoing Project Volunteers

    Volunteers who care for learning gardens or provide other project support to schools on a regular basis, must be approved as Category A school volunteers (see school volunteers section above).

    To apply to be an ongoing project volunteer:

    1. Reach out to the school of your choice to check their current volunteer opportunities.
    2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
    3. Review more instructions on the Volunteer Enhancement Projects page.

    Club Sports Volunteers

    All Club Sports Coaches are onboarded by the school as Category C school volunteers with extra requirements (CPR & First Aid, Concussion, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Courses).

    To apply to be a Category C school volunteer:

    1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
    2. After you click the application link in step 4 below, select School Volunteer.
    3. In the application, select the Category B clearance level.
    1. Provide copies of CPR and First Aid certificates and proof of completing Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Courses to the staff member in charge of Sport Club Volunteers at that school.
    2. Once you are approved as a Category B volunteer, the staff member overseeing the club must ensure all Category C and coaching requirements are met, gathers required files, and submits them to the principal for review.
    3. Once all documents are submitted to the principal, the principal will initiate a Category C clearance approval process with the district.

    Club sports include:

    • Cheer
    • Cross Country
    • Futsal
    • Lacrosse
    • Ultimate Frisbee
    • Boys Volleyball (high school)
    • Water Polo

    Athletics Volunteers

    Athletic volunteers who work with student-athletes apply directly to the Athletics Department. Do not proceed with the Volunteer Application Process outlined below.

    Visit the Athletics Department page for more information.

    Athletic sports include:

    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Bowling
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Gymnastics
    • Soccer
    • Softball (Fast Pitch)
    • Softball (Slow Pitch)
    • Swim & Dive
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Ultimate Frisbee (Middle School only)
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling

    Volunteer Application Process

    Step 1: Select Your Volunteer Role and Schedule

    Each school recruits and selects its prospective volunteers. Please inquire with the school office or your child’s teacher about their volunteer support needs this school year. In some schools, the School Volunteer Liaison maintains a list of current volunteer needs; however, in most buildings, it’s the educators who determine volunteer needs for their classroom or program.

    Once an SPS staff member assigns you to a volunteer role in their classroom or program, they will send you an email with application instructions specific to that role. If an SPS staff member has not yet assigned you to a specific role, do not continue with the remaining steps.

    Step 2: Online Training – Preventing Sexual Abuse

    Nationally, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before age 18. Through this course, you will help protect children by learning to recognize and respond to sexual abuse.

    1. Complete the 20-min Adult Sexual Misconduct Prevention training.
    2. Answer test questions during the training and on your volunteer application.

    Step 3: Review the Volunteer Handbook

    Carefully review our online Volunteer Handbook to learn about the laws and policies that volunteers are required to follow, their rights, and tips for successful volunteering. 

    Step 4: Review Background Check Requirements

    Our online volunteer application includes a state and/or national background check. Review the Background Checks page to determine what type of background check you will need, and whether you qualify for a free background check.

    Step 5: Apply Online

    Since volunteer role requirements at SPS vary, your application link and instructions will depend on the specific role you are applying for. After signing up for a specific role (e.g., lunch helper every Tuesday or field trip chaperone on Oct 30), the staff member you will be supporting will send you specific instructions for that role.

    Due to limited staff capacity, the central office processes applications from prospective volunteers who have signed up for specific roles and shifts within five weeks.

    After receiving your application instructions and link from a staff member, you should submit your application at least three (3) weeks before the planned start date of your volunteer service. For overnight field trips, submitting five weeks in advance is recommended.

    If you experience problems creating your volunteer application in the volunteer portal, refer to our volunteer portal guide for helpful tips.

    If you have questions about your application or background check, please contact the school office or email the school volunteer liaison.

    Step 6: School Approval

    To ensure student safety, schools are required to process each volunteer application and submit an approval form to the district office before the individual can sign up for their first volunteer shift. If a volunteer selected more than one school on their application, they must go through the following steps at every school separately.

    1. If your dashboard in the volunteer portal lists your status as “Eligible” and you are signed up for a volunteer shift in the next five weeks, your school can now review your application.
    2. If your volunteer application did not include the following, please provide them to your school volunteer liaison in person or via email:
      • Government-issued photo ID
      • Proof of 3-year residency in Washington State (needed only if you did not complete the national background check and your Washington State ID was issued less than 3 years ago).
        • Examples: older/expired WA State ID, lease agreement, utility bill, bank records, school records. Make sure this document was issued at least three years ago and features your full name and a Washington State address. If your child has attended SPS for over three years, office staff may be able to use your child’s school registration records (not all staff have access to them). 
    3. The school volunteer program liaison will verify:
    4. The school volunteer liaison will submit your volunteer approval to the district.
    5. The volunteer badge must be worn every time you volunteer. When you arrive for your first volunteer shift, please bring your ID to the school office. You will need the email address used on your volunteer application to sign in on the visitor tablet or computer. Our visitor sign-in system will recognize your email address and take a photo of your ID to create a volunteer badge for you. After this first visit, you will only need your email address to sign in.

    If you have questions about your application or background check, call the school office or email the school volunteer liaison.

    Step 6: Orientation and Training

    Each school is expected to provide an orientation that orients new volunteers to the school building and school community, as well as expectations for volunteers.