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How to Become a Volunteer

Follow these four easy steps to become a volunteer:

  1. Create a volunteer account online
  2. Attend a virtual interview — All interviews are held on Zoom
  3. Provide a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
  4. Complete the General Orientation Workshop and AODA training (online)

Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.

 

Step 1: Create a volunteer account online + add departments to your profile

Choose a category that interests you and fill in the application form. This will let you to view and sign up for that department's opportunities. Once you make your account, you can also apply to more departments from the links below. You will see only opportunities offered by the departments you have chosen, so feel free to add many to expand your experience!

Apply By Clicking Department Name

Department
 

Aquatics

Share your love of swimming. Help our instructors with swim lessons.

Recreation

Express your passion for sport and recreation by helping people of all ages and abilities participate in our programs and camps at our community centres.

Culture

Be creative! Help others express themselves by supporting programs and events at Flato Markham Theatre, Markham Museum, and Varley Art Gallery.

Markham Public Library

Help promote learning with library events and creative activities.

Environment/Sustainability

Assist with community events, and help residents learn about sustainable living and Markham’s Community Sustainability Plan.

City Special Events

Participate in Markham Cycling Day, Milliken's Children Festival & Markham Elections.

 

Step 2: Attend an interview

Once you have created an account and joined a department, sign up for an interview. 

Upcoming interview sessions are being added regularly by all departments can be found here.

Look under, 'Interviews and Training Sessions' in the Opportunities tab. Or you can also see a complete list of interviews for all departments in 'Public Opportunities'.

You are able to join an interview session in any department, with the exception of Aquatics, which has an exclusive interview and training process that involves being in the pool.

All interviews are held virtually through Zoom software.  Applicants will be asked to turn their camera on for the durations of the interview process.

You will need only one interview, no matter how many departments you join.

You may interview again if you would like to change your ranking, after getting volunteer experience over a season or more.

Step 3: Provide a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

You will need a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), also called a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to volunteer with the City of Markham.

Step 4: Complete your General Orientation Workshop and AODA training online

Required training:

1.  Complete the General Orientation Workshop and quiz.

This training covers the City of Markham Volunteer Manual [PDF] which is required for all City of Markham volunteers.

Important points:

  • Online training will take about 20 minutes;
  • Review the online video and then complete the quiz (be sure to already have a volunteer account set up);
  • You need to take this training every two years.
     


If you are unable to view the online training module, you may review the PDF version of the training module [PDF] and complete the quiz.

2.  NEW! Review the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) training and complete the quiz.

Important points:

  • Online training will take about 20 minutes;
  • Review the online video and then complete the quiz (be sure to already have a volunteer account set up);
  • You need to take this training every two years.

If you are unable to view the online training module, you may review the PDF version [PDF] and complete the quiz.

Optional Training:
There is an additional training if you want to volunteer for Special Need/Adapted programs. We often need volunteer support to help with participants who need extra help because of a disability. In addition to the general orientation, please review the following manuals and complete the short quiz. Be sure to have a volunteer account before doing the quiz.