Ongoing Opportunities

Volunteers bring fun and excitement to a variety of opportunities across the district.

Volunteers bring fun and excitement to a variety of opportunities across the district.

All of the positions listed below are provided with the training that is necessary to be successful in the position. These positions also require a longer commitment from the volunteer, which is specific to each position.

If you have questions about any of the positions listed, please contact Melissa Marcum at mmarcum@thprd.org or 503-619-3941.

Administration Assistant (Ages 16+)

Administrative Assistants provide a link between the park district and the community, by helping visitors understand and appreciate district programs and facilities. This position provides customer service and general office support to better serve patrons. Positions are available at any district facility. Bilingual Spanish and Vietnamese speakers are preferred.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Adoption Program (All ages; youth 13 & under must be with an adult)

Participants in the Adoption Program position work with staff on an ongoing basis to restore and/or improve specific sites, which could include facilities, gardens, natural areas, parks and trails. Potential activities include, but are not limited to weeding, pruning, mulching, planting, collecting seeds, wildlife surveys, litter cleanup, trail maintenance and painting trash cans, picnic tables, etc.

Individuals interested in adopting a site must serve at least eight hours per month over a period of six months; while groups interested in adopting a site must commit to at least four projects over the course of a year.

If you are interested in adopting a site, apply here.

Advisory Committees (Ages 16+)

THPRD's three advisory committees generally meet on the third Wednesday of the month (6-12 times annually) to participate in discussions, review plans, and provide broad feedback on park district programs, facilities, and parks. Each committee includes nine appointed volunteers, a staff liaison and a member of THPRD's Board of Directors. Volunteers are district residents who serve a two-year term. Community oversight helps guide THPRD's planning efforts in the following areas:

• Nature & Trails
• Parks & Facilities
• Programs & Events

The next round of recruitment and applications for these volunteer positions will begin in fall of 2020. If you are interested in applying, please submit an Interest Form (in English & Spanish) and you will be notified when the application process opens. For more information on Advisory Committees, check out meeting minutes and agendas here.

Childcare Assistant (Ages 12+; age requirements vary by program & location)

Childcare Assistants help staff with the oversight, setup and cleanup of youth preschool, drop-in child care and afterschool programs. Volunteers help facilitate activities, which could include crafts, dance, hiking, singing, sports and games. Each location may provide a different experience and/or serve a different portion of the community.

• Afterschool Programs (Ages 14+) typically take place from 3 – 6 p.m. on weekdays throughout the school year at Cedar Hills Recreation Center, Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center and Garden Home Recreation Center.
• Drop-in Childcare Programs (Ages 14+) typically take place everyday during normal business hours at Cedar Hills Recreation Center and Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center.
• Preschool programs (Ages 12+) typically take place at Cedar Hills Recreation Center, Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center, and Tualatin Hills Nature Center during morning hours on weekdays throughout the school year.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish)

Community Scientist (Ages 14+)

This position performs wildlife surveys and may assist with non-native species collection at designated natural area sites throughout the district. Wildlife survey programs include:

• Amphibian Egg Mass Surveys require wading into the water to count, identify and record the species and quantity of egg masses in district ponds. Volunteers must be able to perform four surveys (a minimum of two hours every two weeks) over the course of two months. The survey season is weather dependent, but generally runs February – April. Registration for the 2020 training is currently full and closed to the public.
• Snapping Turtle Management focuses on walking shoreline surveys to search for, identify and trap or collect nesting snapping turtles and their eggs. Volunteers must be able to perform six surveys (a minimum of two hours every week) over the course of six weeks. The survey season is weather dependent, but generally runs May – June.
• Turtle Surveys focus on stationary shoreline surveys to search for, identify and count native and non–native turtles with binoculars. Volunteers must be able to perform 12 surveys (a minimum of one hour every week) over the course of three months. The survey season is weather dependent, but generally runs May – August. The next training is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sign up here!

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, apply here.

Coaching (Ages 18+)

District Coaches and Assistant Coaches provide an enjoyable learning environment for youth athletes involved in a variety of athletic programs, while promoting participants’ physical, social and personal development. Volunteer coaches support a variety of sports throughout the year, including:

• Basketball – Tualatin Hills Athletic Center recruits coaches and assistant coaches to support 5th grade and middle school basketball leagues. Seasons run April – August and October – March. Apply here!

• Volleyball – Tualatin Hills Athletic Center recruits coaches to support 4th grade through 12th grade summer and fall leagues. Apply here!

• Track & Field – Cedar Hills Recreation Center recruits assistant coaches to support track & field activities. These activities take place at Beaverton-area middle schools on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, from late February – early May. Apply here!

Internships (Ages 18+)

We are currently recruiting applicants for these Internships:

• Community Programs Intern at Garden Home Recreation Center
• Excercise Science Interns at any district recreation center or pool facility
• Landscape Maintenance Interns at Jenkins Estate, HM Terpenning Recreation Complex and on the PCC Rock Creek Campus
• Nature Kids Preschool Interns at the Tualatin Hills Nature Center
• Park Patrol Intern with THPRD's Security Operations Department

Get more information about these internships here.

Park Steward (Ages 18+)

Park Stewards provide a positive presence on district trails and in parks, while welcoming and providing information to visitors on the site, local wildlife, habitats and programs. Training is provided and the schedule is flexible. This is a great opportunity to get some exercise and get to know the community while volunteering.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Photographer (Ages 16+)

Photographers attend a variety of district events and programs to photograph or video record activities, which are then used for outreach purposed by the district. Volunteers must have their own equipment and some experience using this equipment.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Assistant Program Instructor (Ages 18+)

Assistant Instructors provide an enjoyable learning environment for program participants, while promoting participants’ physical, social and personal development. These volunteers support the following recreational activities throughout the district.

• Beaverton Swim Center recruits assistant instructors to support therapeutic swimming classes for people with a need to improve their range of motion. Volunteers must have a group exercise or related certification to qualify.
• Cedar Hills Recreation Center recruits assistant instructors to support a variety of fitness and recreational activities, including EmpowerTeen.
• Elsie Stuhr Center recruits assistant instructors to assist with bingo activities and a variety of health and wellness support groups for seniors. Current groups include Alzheimer’s, compassion, friendship, diabetes, legal discussion and technology use.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Stewardship Leader (Ages 15+)

Stewardship Leaders provide a positive and motivational presence while supervising volunteers, of all ages, at service projects focused on restoration of local natural areas. Some leaders may work specifically with local youth involved in the district’s service learning program. Volunteers are encouraged to develop and use their leadership skills, knowledge of local ecosystems and interpretation skills.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Therapeutic Recreation Volunteer (Ages 15+)

Therapeutic Recreation Volunteers support staff by providing leadership for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. These particular programs are year-round opportunities for compassionate volunteers who can engage program participants in games, crafts, dance, swimming and other activities that enhance participant socialization and personal well-being.

Applications can be submitted at any time for these opportunities:

• Recreation-oriented activities on Monday evenings at the Elsie Stuhr Center
• Tualatin Hills Athletic Center hosts all-star basketball on Thursday evenings
• Therapeutic swimming opportutnies through the Healing Waters program at Harman Swim Center (must be comfortable providing assistance in the water)
• One-on-one adaptive aquatics lessons at Beaverton Swim Center (must be comfortable providing assistance in the water)

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Youth Opportunities (Ages 12+)

Check out a variety of youth volunteer opportunities here, including:

• One-day Events
• Junior Lifeguard Program
• RISE Leadership Program

Contact Information

If you have questions about any of the positions listed, please contact Melissa Marcum at mmarcum@thprd.org or 503-619-3941.