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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.

Crayon drawing depicting diverse children under a rainbow-colored umbrella.

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

SPS serves 50,000 children and youth. We are committed to 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.

Important: Read First Before Applying!

Only individuals recruited by SPS to directly support SPS personnel during their SPS job duties 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 by volunteer type. Please carefully read to determine which application process applies to you.

School Volunteer Tiers

There are two types of school volunteer applications at SPS:

Tier 1 – Supervised School Volunteer

  • Volunteers recruited by SPS and supporting SPS-sponsored activities under staff supervision. SPS-sponsored activities include classroom instruction, day field trips, lunch and recess, and do not include after-school enrichment or clubs unless they are free and directed by SPS staff.
  • This volunteer role can include direct student contact if the volunteer is supervised by staff.
  • District personnel must be on-site and within view if the volunteer will interact with students.
  • Examples: classroom or library assistance, office or recess support, day field trip chaperone, and school newsletter editor.

Tier 2 – Unsupervised School Volunteer

  • Volunteers recruited by SPS to chaperone SPS-sponsored overnight school field trips.
  • Volunteers recruited by SPS staff to support SPS-sponsored activities that involve contact with students without SPS staff present. Activities can be in-person or remote (e.g., online tutoring). Examples: volunteer facilitating an official school club, one-on-one tutor (remote or at the school).

Field Trip Chaperones and Drivers

To apply to be a field trip chaperone or driver:

  • Must be at least 21 years old for K-8 field trips and 25 years old for grades 9-12.
  • Must be familiar with the Basic Rules of Seattle Public Schools (a.k.a. “Code of Conduct”).
  • Must be an approved Tier 1 (for day trips) or Tier 2 (for overnight trips) school volunteer.
  • Must carefully review and sign the Chaperone Guideline Form collected by the SPS staff member organizing the field trip.

You can review current Chaperone Guideline Forms on the district’s Field Trip Procedures webpage under the “Resources” section.

SPS Students and Employees

Student Volunteers

SPS students who volunteer at schools other than their assigned school must complete and submit the volunteer application for a supervised role. Submitting 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 that minors must be supervised by adults at all times 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.
  3. Upload your student ID in lieu of the government photo ID if you do not have one.
Employee Volunteers

Full-time and part-time employees can volunteer their time in roles that differ from their paid work duties and outside paid time. They must complete the SPS school volunteer application and, if applicable, chaperone guidelines. National background checks or proof of completing the Adult Sexual Misconduct Prevention course are not required (HR previously verified them).

Substitute employees interested in volunteering with SPS must complete the same steps as non-employees.

To apply to be an employee school volunteer:

  1. Follow the Application Process steps.
  2. In the application, please use your SPS email address for easier identification.
  3. Notify your School Volunteer Liaison so they know you are eligible to skip certain steps in the application process.

Volunteer Enhancement Projects (VEP)

One-Time VEP Volunteers

One-time VEP volunteers register directly with the Volunteer Enhancement Projects.

Ongoing Project Volunteers

Volunteers who care for learning gardens or provide other project support to schools on a regular basis must be approved as Tier 1 volunteers (see school volunteers section above).

To apply to be an ongoing project volunteer:

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

Club Sports Volunteers

All Club Sports Volunteer Coaches are onboarded by the school as Unsupervised School Volunteers (Tier 2) with extra requirements (CPR & First Aid, Concussion, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Courses).

To apply to be a Tier 2 school volunteer:

  1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
  2. 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.
  3. Once you are approved as a Tier 2 volunteer, the staff member overseeing the club must ensure all role and coaching requirements are met, gathers required files, and submits them to the School Volunteer Liaison.

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

Volunteers who support athletic team events, organize gear, handle team logistics, etc., apply using the school volunteer registration process below.

How to Apply

Please follow these steps if you have never filed an electronic volunteer application with SPS. If you have, please go to our page for renewing and returning volunteers.

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, continue with the following 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 volunteers must follow, their rights, and tips for successful volunteering. 

Step 4: Review Background Check Requirements

Our online volunteer application includes a state or national background check. Review the Background Checks page to determine what type of background check you need and whether it has a cost.

Step 5: Apply Online

Locate your school on the volunteer portal and select the correct application link (Tier 1 or 2).

SPS volunteer registration is currently under construction – a new registration link will be posted on this page by September 2.

To give your school ample time to assist, you should submit your application at least three (3) weeks before the planned start date of your volunteer service. For overnight field trips, we recommend submitting five weeks in advance.

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

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

Step 6: School Approval

Before the volunteer’s first shift, the school volunteer liaison will:

  1. Confirm completion of the Adult Sexual Misconduct Prevention course.
  2. Verify the volunteer’s government-issued ID in person.
  3. Submit volunteer approval to the district.

    Once approved, you will be able to sign in to volunteer at the school’s electronic kiosk (tablet or computer). After you sign in successfully, the school office will provide you with a volunteer badge to wear while you are at the school. You will need the email address used on your volunteer application to sign in to volunteer. We will issue reusable, color-coded volunteer badges at a later date this school year.

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

    Step 7: Orientation and Training

    Each school is expected to provide an orientation that introduces new volunteers to the school building and community, as well as volunteer expectations. Some schools host required volunteer orientation as the last onboarding step.