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Volunteer

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Welcome, Prospective Volunteer!

As a Ventura volunteer, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique talents and energy toward providing a richer quality of life for your community. And, by joining our City Volunteer team, you will share in an opportunity for self-development and self-fulfillment. 

Please take a few minutes to browse our exciting volunteer opportunities and learn more about being a City volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities that exist within the different departments of the City. If you see a volunteer opportunity that piques your interest, please download, fill out, and return a volunteer application. Once I receive your application, I will contact when there is an opportunity that matches your interests.

On behalf of the City of San Buenaventura, I would like to thank you for interest in becoming an important part in the operation of your City.

Sincerely,
Rosie Ornelas
Volunteer Coordinator
rornelas@cityofventura.net
805-652-4555

Click here to watch a 2 minute video on volunteerism featuring Community Services Supervisor Cary Glenn.

Volunteer Documents

All documents may be faxed, mailed, emailed or hand-delivered to:

City of Ventura
501 Poli Street, room 226
Ventura, CA 93001
Attn: Rosie Ornelas, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 805-652-4555  |  FAX: 805-648-2934
Email: volunteerventura@cityofventura.net

  • Volunteer Application | en Espanol
    All prospective volunteers must have an approved application on file prior to volunteering. See Volunteer Candidate Information for details.
  • Volunteer Waiver
    Volunteer groups or individuals must complete the Volunteer Waiver and submit them to the Volunteer Coordinator prior to a scheduled activity.
  • Volunteer Timesheet
    Volunteer timesheets are due no later than the 10th of the following month. They help the City track volunteer efforts and recognize excellence.  Read about the Mayor's Volunteer Ventura! awards.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Visit the City Calendar under the "News and Events" menu to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities.  Use the check-box for "Volunteer Opportunities" to view only volunteer events.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

  • Administrative: Accounting/Finance, Clerical, Desktop Publishing/Data Entry, GIS/Mapping, Print Shop Aide
  • Environmental: Cleanups for Beaches, Parks, and Coasts, Gardening, Recycling
  • Historical: City Hall Ambassador, Dudley House Public Information, Olivas Adobe Docent
  • Special Events: ArtWalk, Family Festivals, Street Fairs, and more!

City Hall Art Docents

The City of Ventura Public Art Program is looking for volunteer art docents to share their enthusiasm for Ventura’s fascinating Municipal Art Collection with our residents and visitors to City Hall.

Docents lead fun and fulfilling tours for groups of students and adults pointing out interesting details in historic City Hall’s architecture and the over 90 works by prominent Ventura County artists in the collection established in 1999.

You need not be an expert - we cover many topics of interest:

  • Architecture of City Hall
  • History of the Public Art Program
  • Works in the Municipal Art Collection

Interested?  Docents must be at least eighteen years of age and college students, parents, retirees, seniors, career changers or working men and women available for 2 hour shifts scheduled on alternating Fridays between 1 and 5 pm.

Learn more about the Public and Municipal Art Collections.  Call the Volunteer Ventura Coordinator at 805-652-4555 for City Hall art docent training and opportunities.

Volunteer Photographers for City Events, Programs, and Activities

The City of Ventura is always seeking volunteers to share their photography skills with the City!

Take pictures of any of the events listed above and bring a disc of your images to City Hall. Photo credits will be given for any photos used in City publications. Other photography opportunities exist! For a complete listing, please contact Rosie Ornelas at 652-4555 or volunteerventura@cityofventura.net.

Bilingual Translators for Libraries

Volunteers are needed for Spanish translation at the Reference Desk at several of our local libraries.

Please contact Rosie Ornelas at 805-652-4555 or volunteerventura@cityofventura.net to sign up!

Senior Nutrition Program

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Ventura Senior Nutrition Program. 

The Volunteer Ventura! Program is looking for enegetic and enthusistic volunteers who like working with seniors to help us with our Senior Lunch and Pick Up Meal Programs. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 11am-1pm at both the Westside Café and the Eastside Café to help with setup, seating and serving for our Senior Lunch Program. Lunch is included! On Monday mornings from 10am – 11am volunteers are needed to pack meals for our Pick Up Meals Program. After being packed by volunteers meals are picked up by relatives or Caregiver Volunteers for delivery to seniors in need.
Contact: Doug Reed, 658-4721
Sponsored by: City of Ventura, Community Services Department
Email: volunteerventura@cityofventura.net
Volunteers Needed: Varies, please call for current needs.

Boards and Commissions

If you'd like to make an impact on City policies or services, consider volunteering to serve on a board or commission. For more information, please contact the City Clerk's office at (805) 658-4787 or see the Boards & Commissions web page.

Police Department

  • Volunteers in Policing Program
  • In house clerical opportunities

Visit the Ventura Police Department volunteer page, or call Tracey Coert at (805)339-4320 

Mayor's Volunteer Awards

In collaboration with the City’s Volunteer Ventura! Program, I invite you to nominate a deserving individual or community group for the monthly Volunteer Ventura! Award. These awards have been created as a way to thank and honor those individuals and groups who enhance the quality of life in Ventura, and, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to make service a central part of their lives.

The ‘Community Motivator’ Award recognizes individuals for outstanding service and volunteerism. Community Motivators use their unique talents to serve others, have a strong ethic of service, a pure compassion for people and an inspirational nature to motivate those around them to serve.

The ‘Community Collaborator’ Award recognizes groups (businesses, non-profits, faith-based, service clubs) for their participation in volunteer programs/projects that directly benefit the City of Ventura and/or its residents. Community Collaborators understand the importance of relationships and develop connections between groups and local government to help craft collaborative solutions to local needs.

Last year, 43 percent of Venturans volunteered (versus the State's 26 percent rate) and gave over 50,000 hours to city programs alone. It's obvious that the citizens of Ventura are passionate and involved, which adds to the uniqueness and friendliness of our community. I'm proud of the many opportunities for service available in our city and I encourage you to join in —working together with people who share common interests can be enjoyable and fulfilling.

~ Bill Fulton, Mayor of Ventura

Contact Us

For information regarding City of Ventura volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Ventura! Office:

City of Ventura
501 Poli Street, Room 226
Ventura, CA 93001
volunteerventura@cityofventura.net