Volunteer Opportunities

Teens - Looking for an opportunity to make a difference?  Check out the Youth Advisory Council.

We need volunteers in the following areas: Clerical and Office    Environment    Public Safety/Corrections    Working with Adults    Working with Families and Children (under age 12)    Working with the Elderly    Working with Persons with Disabilities    Working with Youth (ages 12-19)

Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Anoka County Government agencies have a variety of volunteer programs throughout the County to serve its citizens. Volunteers do not replace employees; rather, their efforts add support for County departments and expand services to the Public. Volunteers span a variety of ages, come from diverse backgrounds and have a multitude of skill levels. But they all have one thing in common - they all care about their community.

  
Why Volunteer?

Volunteering Benefits You!

• Discover a new talent
• Explore career options
• Gain personal satisfaction
• Enjoy socialization
• Be an active part of your community
• Learn new skills

Volunteering Benefits the County!

• Citizen involvement
• Expanded use of tax dollars
• Direct link between the County and the community

  
What to Expect

• Interview:
  After you apply, you will be interviewed to assure a successful match between you, the department and the job. However, for some positions the interview may be waived or modified.
    

• Orientation:
  An orientation will acquaint you with the procedures, expectations and general information about the department and the position.
    

• Recognition:
  As an Anoka County Volunteer, you may expect recognition and acknowledgment for your contributions.

  
Who to Contact

Listed below are the volunteer positions which are utilized by Anoka County in its various departments.  If you are interested in a position, call or e-mail the contact person.

The volunteer positions are grouped under the following categories:

• Clerical and Office

• Environment

• Public Safety/Corrections

• Working with Adults

• Working with Families and Children (under age 12)

• Working with the Elderly

• Working with Persons with Disabilities

• Working with Youth (ages 12-19)

Clerical and Office

Job Title	Description	Contact
Nature Center Volunteer	Assist with various clerical duties and/or newsletter writing or editing, artwork or displays at Wargo Nature Center.	Deb Gallop 651-429-8007 debra.gallop@co.anoka.mn.us
Clerical and Office Volunteer Opportunities	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has positions in your community for those 55 yrs. and older.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Environment

Job Title	Description	Contact
Greenhouse Helper	Assist with plant propagation and watering. Training provided. 2-4 hours per week.	Tim Sevcik 763-767-2896
Gardener	Assist with maintaining flower beds. Training Provided. 2-5 hours per week	Tim Sevcik 763-767-2896
Nature Center Volunteer	Various activities including teacher, naturalist, trail maintenance, trail guide, newsletter writer, display artist, office assistance. Training provided.	Deb Gallop 651-429-8007 debra.gallop@co.anoka.mn.us
Park Maintenance	Help keep our parks clean and safe, pick up litter, trim along trails, care for shrubs and flower beds.	Mike Jacobson 763-767-2863
Ecosystem Volunteer	Assist natural resource specialist with prairie seed collection, greenhouse maintenance, tree planting and other projects. Groups encouraged.	Tim Sevcik 763-767-2896
Prairie Seed Collector	Assist with collecting native prairie seeds. Training Provided. 2-5 hours per week.	Tim Sevcik 763-767-2896
Environmental Opportunities	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has positions in your community for those 55 yrs. and older .	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Public Safety/Corrections

Job Title	Description	Contact
Assistant Probation Officer
Reserve Deputy	Provide assistance to Patrol Division with traffic control, boat/water safety, snow-mobile patrol and security at events. Training provided.	Sgt Mike Longbehn 763-754-4545 mike.longbehn@co.anoka.mn.us
Computer Lab	Teach inmates basic computer use. How to use Word, print, etc.	Gary White 763-712-2223 gary.white@co.anoka.mn.us
GED Tutors/Assistants	Tutor adult workhouse inmates in five GED subject areas: math, science, social studies, literature and writing. Flexible hours, training provided	Gary White 763-712-2223 gary.white@co.anoka.mn.us
Early Intervention Volunteer	Provide follow up for juveniles in diversion process. Coordinate services with school, agencies, youth and their families to help kids stay in school.
Guest Speaker/Lecturer	Lectures on life skills, health and women’s issues. Flexible hours at medium security facility.	Matt Hanson 651-783-7635 matt.hanson@co.anoka.mn.us
Volunteer Advocate	Provide non-judgmental support, information and resources to victims of sexual assault. Training provided.	Emily Krech 763-323-5549 Emily.Krech@co.anoka.mn.us Bethany Walker 763-323-5620 Bethany.Walker@co.anoka.mn.us
Guest Lecturer-Work Release	Lecture on: Anger Management, Parenting, Women’s Health, Stress Management, as well as other areas. Flexible hours, at the workhouse.	Gary White 763-712-2223 gary.white@co.anoka.mn.us
Public Safety Positions	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has positions in your community for those 55 yrs. and older.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Working with Adults

Job Title	Description	Contact
Respite Volunteer	Provide a break for caregivers of elderly. 2-4 hours per week, training provided.	Jill Agyekum 763-422-6960 jill.agyekum@co.anoka.mn.us
Family Mentor	Provide guidance and support to families with infants. Training provided. 6-8 hours per month.	Pam Bohm 763-422-7120 pam.bohm@co.anoka.mn.us
Volunteer Driver	Drive seniors and clients of Anoka County to medical and other appointments. Flexible scheduling and mileage reimbursement.	Jeannine Tyler 763-422-7075 jeannine.tyler@co.anoka.mn.us
Guest Speaker/Lecturer	Lecture on life skills, health and women’s issues. Flexible hours at medium security facility.	Matt Hanson 651-783-7635 matt.hanson@co.anoka.mn.us
Volunteer Advocate	Provide non-judgmental support, information and resources to victims of sexual assault. Training provided.	Emily Krech 763-323-5549 Emily.Krech@co.anoka.mn.us Bethany Walker 763-323-5620 Bethany.Walker@co.anoka.mn.us
GED Tutors/Assistants	Tutor adult workhouse inmates in five GED subject areas: math, science, social studies, literature and writing. Flexible hours, training provided.	Gary White 763-712-2223 gary.white@co.anoka.mn.us
Guest Lecturer-Work Release	Lecture on: Anger Management Parenting, Women’s Health, Stress Management as well as other areas. Flexible hours at workhouse.	Gary White 763-712-2223 gary.white@co.anoka.mn.us
Master Gardener Volunteer	Provide gardening advice, teach classes, identify plant and insect problems. Training provided in exchange for volunteer time.	Patrick Weicherding 763-755-1280 anoka@extension.umn.edu
Food Preservation-Safety Volunteer	Provide information on safe food preservation and food preparation practices. Training Provided.	Pat Morreim 763-755-1280 anoka@extension.umn.edu
Nature Center Volunteer	Be a teacher, naturalist, trail maintenance, office assistant or trail guide at Wargo Nature Center. Training provided	Deb Gallop 651-429-8007 debra.gallop@co.anoka.mn.us
Tax Preparer	Work with team to prepare tax forms for senior, persons with disabilities and low income families. Training and materials provided	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us
Health Insurance Counselor	Provide information to older adults on Medicare, supplemental insurance and long term care insurance. Training provided.	Kristin Tossey 763-422-7528 kristin.tossey@co.anoka.mn.us
Working with Adults	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has opportunities in your community for those 55 yrs and older.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Working with Families and Children (under age 12)

Job Title	Description	Contact
Volunteer Driver	Drive seniors and clients of Anoka County to medical and other appointments. Flexible schedule. Mileage reimbursement.	Jeannine Tyler 763-422-7075 jeannine.tyler@co.anoka.mn.us
Nature Center Volunteer	Be a teacher, naturalist or trail guide at Wargo Nature Center. Training provided.	Deb Gallop 651-429-8007 debra.gallop@co.anoka.mn.us
Master Gardener Volunteer	Provide gardening advice, teach classes, identify plant and insect problems. Training provided in exchange for volunteer time.	Patrick Weicherding 763-755-1280 anoka@extension.umn.edu
4-H Volunteer	Provide guidance and support to children and youth. Teach skills, help with projects or lead a club.	Pat Morreim 763-755-1280 anoka@extension.umn.edu
Working with children and families	Retired and Senior volunteer Program. (RSVP) has opportunities in your community for adults 55 yrs. and older.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Working with the Elderly

Job Title	Description	Contact
Respite Volunteer	Provide a break for caregivers of elderly. Training provided. 2 - 4 hours per week.	Jill Agyekum 763-422-6960 jill.agyekum@co.anoka.mn.us
Volunteer Driver	Drive seniors and clients to medical, dental and social service appointments. Flexible schedule, mileage reimbursement	Jeannine Tyler 763-422-7075 jeannine.tyler@co.anoka.mn.us
Tax Preparer	Work with team to prepare tax forms for seniors, person with disabilities and low income families. Training and materials provided.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us
Health Insurance Counselor	Provide information to older adults on Medicare, supplemental insurance and long term care insurance. Training provided	Kristin Tossey 763-422-7528 kristin.tossey@co.anoka.mn.us
Working with Elderly	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has positions in your community for adults 55 yrs. and older	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Working with Persons with Disabilities

Job Title	Description	Contact
Respite Volunteer	Provide a break for caregivers of elderly (2 - 4 hours per week). Training provided	Jill Agyekum 763-422-6960 jill.agyekum@co.anoka.mn.us
Tax Preparer	Work with team to prepare tax forms for persons with disabilities, seniors and low income families. Training provided	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us
Health Insurance Counselor	Provide information to older persons on Medicare, supplemental insurance and long term care insurance. Training provided	Kristin Tossey 763-422-7528 kristin.tossey@co.anoka.mn.us
Working with Persons with disabilities	Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has opportunities in the community for those 55 years and older.	Diane Pokorney 763-422-7090 diane.pokorney@co.anoka.mn.us

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Working with Youth

Job Title	Description	Contact
4-H Volunteer	Provide guidance and support to children and youth. Teach skills, assist with a project or lead a club.	Pat Morreim 763-755-1280 anoka@extension.umn.edu
Volunteer Advocate	Provide non-judgmental support, information and resources to victims of sexual assault. Training provided.	Emily Krech 763-323-5549 Emily.Krech@co.anoka.mn.us Bethany Walker 763-323-5620 Bethany.Walker@co.anoka.mn.us
Nature Center Volunteer	Be a teacher, naturalist or trail guide at Wargo Nature Center. Training provided	Deb Gallop 651-429-8007 debra.gallop@co.anoka.mn.us

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