Title: 2026-2027 School Volunteer
Location: Various Schools
Reports To: Building Principal
Position Purpose: The purpose of this volunteer position is to provide meaningful support to the educational and extracurricular programs of schools. Volunteers will assist staff in delivering high-quality learning experiences, contribute to the smooth operation of school activities, and help foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for all students.
Omaha Public Schools defines a volunteer position as an unpaid role with no salary, benefits, or mileage.
This job description outlines volunteer support for the following areas:
Classroom Support: Classroom volunteers work under the supervision and guidance of classroom teachers to assist with instruction, work with students individually or in small groups, assist students in the library, work on special projects, and prepare lesson materials. Classroom volunteers help build student confidence through encouragement, support, and celebration of progress.
Library Assistant: Library volunteers support staff by shelving books, cleaning materials, assisting with programs, and helping staff and students locate books. Key duties include organizing library materials, checking items in and out, creating book displays, and assisting with special events or children’s activities. These roles also support literacy in our schools.
Lunchroom/Recess: Lunchroom and recess volunteers ensure student safety, facilitate orderly mealtime, assist students with food packaging, mediate playground activities, enforce safety rules, and help with cleanup.
Field Trips: Field trip volunteers ensure student safety, supervise small groups, foster engagement, and assist teachers with logistics.
Coaching: A volunteer coach assists school coaching staff in planning and supervising safe, age-appropriate practices and games, teaches sport fundamentals, and promotes good sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. They must serve as positive role models, ensure player safety by supervising the use of equipment and facilities, and adhere to league rules.
Office/Clerical: Office volunteers provide essential administrative support, including filing, scanning, photocopying, and organizing documents. They often handle front-desk duties, such as answering phones, greeting visitors, and sorting mail. Additional responsibilities include preparing mailers, tidying common areas, and assisting with special projects or events.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Ability to read text and have a proficient command of written language.
- Ability to pass a background check if working with students outside the presence of a certified staff member.
- Ability to communicate politely and effectively.
Ability to maintain a calm and steady disposition throughout the learning process.
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Interrelations:
- Will have contact with personnel within the district.
- Must maintain a high level of confidentiality.
- Will work under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher or building principal.
- Must maintain a patient and encouraging demeanor when working with diverse student groups
- Must understand and respond appropriately to student needs and maintain a positive attitude toward all staff and students.
Must adhere to district policies, child protection policies, and safety protocols.
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Punctuality and Appearance:
- Volunteers are expected to be available for all scheduled hours unless they have notified the school about any changes.
- Consistent attendance is essential. Changes to scheduled hours must be approved in advance by the volunteers’ supervisor or building administrator.
Volunteers should arrive dressed in a way that presents a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is suitable for the activity.
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Application Process:
- Contact the school to discuss a volunteer opportunity.
- Complete the volunteer application online.
- The building principal reviews the volunteer activity request.
- Talent Services will communicate via email with the principal and volunteer applicant regarding the status of the request.
- Volunteer activities can only begin AFTER receiving an approval email from Talent Services.
All volunteers must follow Omaha Public Schools Board Policies.
* A new volunteer application is required each school year. This means that even if you volunteered last year, you need to reapply for the upcoming school year.
The volunteer application includes three levels of volunteer clearance and tracking. During the online application process, the building principal will determine the clearance level for the volunteer activity. The principal will select one of the following clearance levels:
- Level 1. This is intended for activities conducted at the school. It is the most basic level and does not involve student contact. Examples include research projects and clerical work in the school office.
- Level 2 . This level is for activities where the volunteer is always in a group setting with a certified Omaha Public Schools staff member present. It allows you to serve as a classroom volunteer, support campus activities such as Room Parent, or serve as a Library Aide.
- Level 3. This level requires a criminal background check and approval through Talent Services. It is for individuals who may work one-on-one with a student, with or without direct supervision by a certificated OPS staff member, whether on or off district property. It permits volunteering in activities involving student supervision, such as tutoring, field trips, chaperoning, coaching, and mentoring.
Please note that the district will not require volunteer applicants to incur any costs associated with these clearance processes. All volunteer records are deactivated on the last day of each school year.
Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, or economic status in its programs, activities, or employment. It provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Talent Services at 531-299-0240.
Thank you for your application to be a volunteer in our schools! Together, we can create a brighter future for our students!
