Volunteer Handbook City of Safety Harbor 605 2 nd St N Safety Harbor, FL 34695 Dmack@cityofsafetyharbor.com
Mission Statement Thank you for choosing to volunteer your talents with us. Effective volunteers are essential in our mission to increase the quality of life through parks, events, recreation and play for residents and visitors. This handbook is yours to keep. It will answer questions and provide important information and guideline. The following policies, procedures and rules are applicable to all volunteer positions. Failure to follow established policies will result in disqualification to volunteer. Requirements to Start Volunteering: As a volunteer, you are required to register with Recreation Department, and sign the volunteer handbook. Some positions may require background checks. Important Phone Numbers Name Position Office Number Donna Mack Shannon Schafer Julie Inman Kelliann Gerlach Autumn Lewis Tim Sattinger Christine McWilliams Janiece Strance Recreation Leader II - Volunteer Services dmack@cityofsafetyharbor.com Recreation Superintendent sschafer@cityofsafetyharbor.com Rigsby Recreation Center Facility Manager jlinman@cityofsafetyharbor.com Community Center Facility Manager kgerlach@cityofsafetyharbor.com Program Coordinator - Camp Director/After School Care alewis@cityofsafetyharbor.com Program Coordinator - Athletic tsattinger@cityofsafetyharbor.com Program Coordinator Art & Culture cmcwilliams@cityofsafetyharbor.com Program Coordinator Seniors jstrance@cityofsafetyharbor.com (727)724-1562 (727)724-1562
Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities: As a volunteer, you have the right to be offered meaningful assignments that provide a good fit for your interests and abilities. You have the right to be treated fairly and receive proper training. You have the right to work in a safe environment and to communicate any concerns should they arise. In return, we ask you to perform your volunteer duties to the best of your abilities and represent the City of Safety Harbor in a positive light. Volunteers are expected to follow the same rules, procedures and department policies as employees. Individuals who fail to comply with these policies may be subject to dismissal from the volunteer program. Leisure Services Department Policies Age Minimum: All ages are welcome! Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult or staff supervisor. All minors under the age of 18 are considered teen leaders or jr. teen leaders and will require parent/guardian approval prior to beginning the Teen Leader Program. Background Checks: Volunteers who are assisting with certain programs are required to pass a background check. All background check must be cleared before you can start volunteering with the City of Safety Harbor. Appearance and Grooming: Volunteers will be expected to maintain their appearance including clothing, grooming and personal hygiene in a manner consistent with accepted business standards. Appropriate attire for volunteers include the following: A department issued uniform shirt Athletic pant/shorts that measure past the fingertips, when arms are by the side. NO yoga pants, blue denim jeans/shorts, with the exception of jeans on Fridays. Footwear should be professional, safe and appropriate for the duties and responsibilities of the volunteer. Close toed shoes required. Additional Dress Code Guidelines Nametags/City Issued Badge: Volunteers are required to wear their city issued nametag/badge during their scheduled shift while working with participants & the public. If nametag/badge is lost or damaged, please report immediately for a replacement. Swim Wear: Ladies one piece or suit that covers buttocks and midriff with shoulder straps. Tankinis permitted, but top & bottom must touch or overlap. Gentlemen suits must be midthigh length. Body Piercing & Tattoos: Non-offensive tattoos permitted. Tattoos deemed Title VII offensive must be covered during scheduled shift. Visible tattoos should not be sexually provocative and should be free from profanity.
Body piercings (other and earrings) are not allowed to be visible. This includes eyebrows, lips, noses, tongues or any other visible locations. For safety reasons, hoops or other earrings that could cause a safety concern should not be worn. Permitted to wear stud earrings or gauges stud/gauges may not be larger than ear lobe. Tobacco Policy: The use of any tobacco products is prohibited by volunteers while on duty. Drug & Alcohol Policy: For the safety of our patrons, employees and volunteers, the City of Safety Harbor Parks & Recreations Department is an alcohol and drug free work environment. Any volunteer reporting to work under the influence will be asked to leave the premises immediately. Weapons Prohibition: No volunteer may have in his/her possession a weapon while volunteering for the City of Safety Harbor. Weapons include, but are not limited to: firearms, electrical or stun devices, brass knuckles or knife blades longer than two inches not used in the performance of job responsibilities or any other weapon as defined by state statute. Additionally, a volunteer may not carry any device he/she intends to use as a weapon. Workplace Violence Prevention: The City of Safety Harbor does not tolerate any type of workplace violence committed by or against employees and volunteers. Additionally, employees and volunteers are prohibited from making threats or engaging in violent activities. Discrimination/Harassment Prevention: The City of Safety Harbor expressly prohibits any form of unlawful volunteer harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, individual genetic information or any other characteristic protects by the federal and/or state law, or statutes. The City has a zero tolerance attitude toward harassment and encourages anyone who believes he or she is a victim of harassment to come forward and file a complaint. Cell Phones, Electronic Devices: No personal phone calls or texting during time volunteers are on duty or involved in any event or activity is allowed, with the exception of emergencies. While volunteering, individuals are prohibited from playing with their phones or any other electronic devices. Incident / Accidents: For all serious emergencies, call 911. Any accident or injury which involves an on-duty volunteer must also be reported to your supervisor immediately, regardless of the nature of the injury. The incident, accident or injury may require the completion of paperwork by you and / or your staff supervisor. Please report unsafe conditions or defective equipment to your supervisor immediately. Injuries to anyone under 18 must have accident report signed by parent. Staff will assist you with in Incident/Accident forms. Trips: While chaperoning field trips, you and the group are representing the City of Safety Harbor. All behavior should abide as such. Establish smaller groups for touring, with an adult supervising each group and meeting areas at designated times. Have emergency contacts for supervisory staff. Complete headcounts before departures. Volunteer Service: All volunteers willingly and freely offer services with no expectation of payment or compensation, City of Safety Harbor recognizes the right of volunteers to discontinue their service at any time and for any reason. We reserve the right to limit the use of
volunteers based on staff determination of needs and City policies. Volunteers will be dismissed if their behavior or language is harmful or threatening to public, staff or other volunteers. Ground for termination of volunteer service may include, but are not limited to: failing to meet background check criteria; misconduct; use of alcohol or drugs while on duty; property theft; misuse of City equipment or materials; mistreatment of staff, volunteers or members of the public; imposing religious or political views on others; failure to adhere to the policies outlined in this handbook; and/or failure to perform assigned volunteer duties. Buddy System: To reduce the risk of accusations of inappropriate conduct with youth, volunteers should ensure that there is more than one adult present during activates with youth. Never be in a situation where you are alone with a child. Stay safe, use the buddy system! Facility/Safety: All cleaning chemicals are to remain locked up or properly stored when not in use. Safety Harbor Leisure Services Volunteer Handbook Receipt of Acknowledgement By emailing Recreation Leader II Volunteer Services Donna Mack a confirmation I acknowledge that I have received my personal copy of the City of Safety Harbor Volunteer Handbook. I understand that it is my responsibility to read and become familiar with the policies, rules and procedures contained within this handbook. I also understand that this document may change from time to time with or without notice and is no way meant to create, be or imply a contractual agreement regarding employment or benefits with the City of Safety Harbor and that failure to comply with the Volunteer Handbook may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination from my volunteer position with the City of Safety Harbor. Please email dmack@cityofsafetyharbor.com the following statement I acknowledge that I have read the volunteer handbook.