Volunteering | City of Kingston

Make a positive impact on your life and the lives of others. Volunteering is a wonderful way to stay active, connect with people, and develop your leadership skills and knowledge while making a difference in your community.

What is the Corporate Volunteer Program?

This program lets you give back to the community in a meaningful way. This program is powered by you! You decide how and where you want to give back.

If you already volunteer with a community partner, or simply want to start volunteering with the City of Kingston, let us know.

We’ve outlined details below to support you in selecting areas and initiatives that may be of interest to you, and which would benefit greatly from your contributions as a volunteer.

Volunteers get free police checks!

Ontario is making it easier to volunteer by eliminating fees for police record checks for volunteers.

A clear Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Background Check from Kingston Police is required for all our Volunteer Opportunities. You can get your CPIC online through Kingston Police website; however, we encourage you to go in-person to secure your CPIC free of charge at 705 Division Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 4C2.

CPIC Process for Volunteers Under the Age of 16

For the purposes of CPIC applications, those under the age of 16 are not able to provide consent; consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian
Therefore, applicants under the age of 16 are not able to submit an online application and must submit a manual record check application
During the application process, the applicant and their parent/legal guardian will be required to attend Kingston Police at 705 Division Street in person
The parent or legal guardian must supply one piece of photo identification and one piece of non-photo identification
The young person must also supply an acceptable form of non-photo identification, as well as a photo Student Card or passport

Current volunteer opportunities

Volunteers play a vital role for our community on behalf of the municipality. Every year, volunteers and placement students dedicate hundreds of hours to making our events and programs a success!

Check out some of our volunteer opportunities below. We can work with you to find the right fit, as you may need some training depending on the role and responsibilities.

YGK Airport Welcome Team Program

Welcome Team volunteers help passengers feel welcomed, relaxed and delighted by:

- Greeting passengers throughout the terminal
- Providing general directions to washrooms, gates, airport services and more
- Responding to basic passenger inquiries with thoughtful, enthusiastic and accurate answers
- Enhancing the overall passenger experience at YGK Kingston

You must be a minimum of 15 years old for this position. For more information contact airportinfo@cityofkingston.ca.

Aquatics programs

Complete your 40 hours of high school volunteer placement through our aquatic programs. If you continue in this role, you can earn credits for leadership courses and get closer to becoming a certified lifeguard and instructor.

You must be a minimum of 13 years or older for this position.

For more information email recreationprograms@cityofkingston.ca.

Fitness and wellness

Stay fit by helping with programs at the Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Culligan Water Park, Rideau Heights Community Centre, Kingston East Community Centre, Grass Creek Park or INVISTA Fitness Centre.

For more information email recreationprograms@cityofkingston.ca.

Requirements

Minimum of 16 years or older
First Aid and CPR
Fitness background
Current personal trainer or group fitness instructor certification considered assets

City Hall Volunteer Tour Guide and Ambassador Program

Be a part of welcoming visitors to our beautiful Kingston City Hall National Historic Site. You will share Kingston's stories with people from near and far. When you apply to be a tour guide or a tour ambassador, you will receive appropriate training and ongoing support throughout the tour season. Shifts are generally one half-day per week and there are flexible options for scheduling.

Tour guide position

City Hall Tour Guides welcome and guide visitors through Kingston City Hall, sharing engaging stories about our city's history. The guided tours are between 30-45 minutes. You will need good communication skills and a passion for Kingston’s history. Occasionally, you may track visitor statistics.

Tour ambassador position

City Hall Tour Ambassadors greet and help visitors at City Hall, providing information and tracking statistics. You might organize visitors and coordinate with Tour Guides. Many duties may be carried out while seated.

For more information contact cityhalltours@cityofkingston.ca.

Requirements

Be friendly and professional
Be adaptable and think on your feet
Be able to stand and climb stairs (Tour Guide position)
Speaking a second language is an asset but is not required
Commit to at least 2 shifts per month from mid-May to mid-October

PumpHouse Model Railway Volunteer

PumpHouse Model Railway Society volunteers play a vital role in maintaining, improving and operating the model railway layouts located in the PumpHouse’s Train Room for all museum visitors to enjoy. Model Railway Technicians meet weekly on Thursdays 9am-12pm, with occasional additional maintenance sessions and museum events throughout the year.

Duties include:

- Maintenance work on existing model locomotives, cars and model electric railroad
- Low voltage wiring of existing model railroads
- Scenery cleaning and maintenance O, HO or N scale layouts.
- Operating model electric trains for the public
- Improving the interactive component of the model electric railroad
- Providing layout specific training to seasonal staff at the PumpHouse on operating and re-railing locomotives
- Interacting with the public in a warm and welcoming manner

Requirements

Interest, knowledge or previous experience with O, HO and N scale model electric railroads
Ability to work as part of a team
Possess safety awareness and safe working habits
CPIC including Working with Vulnerable Persons Sector Check

Pumphouse Research Volunteers

These invaluable volunteers research local history topics related to the PumpHouse as directed by a Curator, communicate findings to the Heritage Planning team, engage with the public regarding the history and heritage of Kingston, and input data by leveraging cataloguing resources.

Requirements

Knowledge of and interest in Kingston’s history
Experience working with the public an asset
Ability to work as part of a team
Possess safety awareness and safe working habits
CPIC including Working with Vulnerable Persons Sector Check

For more information please visit the Pumphouse Volunteer page.

Grand Theatre Volunteer Usher Program

Volunteers at Kingston Grand Theatre are assigned to various roles within the Regina Rosen Auditorium and the Baby Grand including taking tickets, acting as ushers, staffing the coat check, and assisting those patrons wishing additional assistance within the limits of the theatre. They may occasionally be called upon to perform other duties such as stuffing envelopes for mailing, dropping off brochures to various Kingston businesses, or co-hosting receptions and special events. Volunteers are a valuable resource and asset to the Grand Theatre and The City of Kingston. Volunteers act as hosts for events at Kingston Grand Theatre. As such, their primary responsibility is to ensure that audience members feel welcomed and that they have an enjoyable, comfortable experience in a safe environment.

For more information contact grandtheatre2@cityofkingston.ca and visit the Grand Theatre Volunteer page.

Requirements

Ability to think clearly and follow designated procedures in an emergency and/or stressful situation
Ability to quickly identify and resolve problems
Ability to stand for long periods of time and to climb stairs
Ability to adapt to a variety of circumstances
Available at least 2 shifts per month from September to May
Have an interest and enthusiasm for the performing arts
Have a willingness to serve all patrons of the theatre with care and respect
Have a friendly and professional attitude

Special events

Do you love your community? Volunteer at one of our many city events such as Victoria and Canada Day celebrations, as well as at the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials Festival. Have a blast, make new friends and build your skills. Many positions are available!

You must be a minimum of 14 years or older for this position. For more information email specialeventsoffice@cityofkingston.ca.

Council Committee and Board Appointments

Are you interested in how the City works — or would you like to see a particular problem or issue addressed by Kingston City council or City staff?

You may have the drive and interest and experience to sit on one of the City's appointed bodies. In fact, your City may need the benefit of your informed opinion in order to work as well as possible. Committee and board appointments are made in the fall. However, volunteers interested in serving on a particular committee or board may express their interest year-round by applying. The application will be kept on file and reviewed by the Nominations Committee should a position open on the committee or board of interest.

Please review the qualifications and exceptions before filling out the application form.

Visit our Applying for Committee or Board page to learn more.

For more information email cityclerk@cityofkingston.ca.

Rideaucrest

Rideaucrest is proud to have registered volunteers providing service to the Residents. Volunteers help support staff and connect residents with the Kingston community. Interested in volunteering at Rideaucrest? Please email rideaucresthome@cityofkingston.ca or call 613-530-2818 ext. 4225.