Volunteer Opportunities

Sheriff's Office BadgeThe Lane County Sheriff's Office has a volunteer cadre of over 375 dedicated individuals who help provide services to community members everyday. Volunteers are a vital part of the Lane County Sheriff's Office.   Many of the services provided by volunteers would not be possible without the countless hours they donate each day.  Below is a list of our volunteer opportunities.  Join the team and help your community by volunteering!
                                               

Volunteer Applications

Applications are used to screen volunteers and match positions with qualified applicants. Please download or print the application form and mail it to the address indicated on the form. 

Volunteer Applications - adobe fillable  ***This link will not open up the application automatically but will allow you to download the application so you can save it to a file of your choosing where it can be opened and completed.  Thank you for your patience as we work to remedy this issue.

Volunteer Application - Printable  ***This link will allow you to print the application and then fill by hand.

To have an application emailed directly to you, please email [email protected]

Reserve Deputy Sheriff

**The Reserve Deputy Program is closed to new applicants at this time**

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs provide volunteer law enforcement services under the supervision and control of regular employees of the Sheriff's Office. Reserve deputies are sworn and possess full deputy authority. These volunteers normally work alongside a full time deputy and may be assigned other duties for which they are deemed qualified.

Applicants who are successful in the hiring process will be invited to attend the Reserve Academy, which runs February through June and is a requirement of the program.  Academy classes are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and during the daytime on Saturdays for the duration of the Academy.  Upon graduation, Reserve Deputy Sheriffs serve at least 16 hours per month with the Sheriff's Office, including monthly meetings and trainings.


Qualification Requirements:

Applicants must be 21 years of age by time of appointment, have no felony convictions, and must be able to pass a written exam, physical agility test, oral board, a psychological evaluation, physician exam, and a complete background check.

Reserve DS Training

 

Search and Rescue

Search and Rescue volunteers assist in the execution of missions involving lost and/or injured climbers, cross-country skiers, hikers, hunters, or downed aircraft victims. Additionally, searches occur for evidence supporting police criminal investigations.  Search and Rescue has a variety of specialty teams including Ground Search and Rescue, SAR Youth Program, Eugene Mountain Rescue, Mounted Posse, Water Search and Rescue Unit, K-9 Team, Amateur Radio Operators, and the Special Vehicles Team.  Visit our Search and Rescue  page for a description of SAR volunteer opportunities.  For more information on the Search and Rescue Program visit our main SAR page.    If you have further questions, please contact Tim Chase by email or by calling 541-682-8560.

Search and Rescue


 

 

Neighborhood Watch

Neighbors watching out for neighbors! That is the primary function and goal of the Neighborhood Watch Program. Please visit our Neighborhood Watch web page to learn more on how to start a Neighborhood Watch group!

Crime Prevention Team

Crime Prevention Volunteers perform a variety of tasks, including placement of the Sheriff's Office speed trailer, following up with victims who file Citizen Self Report Forms, and providing free home inspections and education to Lane County residents on crime prevention. Crime Prevention Team Volunteers must be observant, have good judgment, be reliable, and enjoy interacting with other Lane County citizens. Volunteers must be able to work outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather, and perform duties that involve lifting, twisting, and bending. For more information, please contact Sergeant Ryan Wells, by email or by calling 541-682-7406.

Practicum Student Program

The Lane County Sheriff's Office proudly partners with the local schools, colleges, and universities to assist their students in gaining first-hand experience in the field of criminal justice. These unpaid positions offer students a chance to learn about various careers within the Sheriff's Office and may meet the requirements for individual academic institutions for college credit. Please check with your school program for requirements to receive credit. 

Students wishing to apply for the Practicum position should complete the Volunteer Application by the deadline indicated for each term, below.  Please attach a separate piece of paper indicating your school, course of study, school requirements for credit including hours of observation needed, and include any other requirements your school may have for you to receive course credit.

Students must pass a background check to participate in the program. Only students who submit a completed application and pass a preliminary background check will be contacted to move onto the next step of the selection process.  

Winter Term 2020
Applications due:  December 16, 2019

Spring Term 2020
Applications due:  March 9, 2020






Cadet Program

The Cadet Program is not currently open for application. Please refer to the information below regarding your eligibility for future recruitments. 
 
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Program is for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 21, who have an interest in law enforcement. Our Cadet Program provides an opportunity to get first-hand experience to develop skills and knowledge necessary to prepare the cadets for full-time employment, hopefully with LCSO! Although being a Cadet is not a pre-requisite to becoming a Deputy Sheriff, we want to offer you every opportunity to gain experience and be successful in your career.

We have a limited number of spots available. If you are not selected for this process, we encourage you to consider applying the next time we recruit for these positions.

You must meet the eligibility requirements below.
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a US Citizen
Must be between 18 and 21 years of age
Must possess a high-school diploma or be enrolled in a high school or GED program.

Cadets will:
• Receive training in law enforcement tactics, legal issues, use of force, corrections, and patrol operations
• Be exposed to the various differences between a Sheriff’s Office and their municipal, state, or federal police counterparts
• Attend community events and assist deputies present at them
• Participate in Law Enforcement Ride-alongs
• Be mentored and better prepared for a future career with the Sheriff’s Office
• Be mentored regarding the culture of service expected from Sheriff’s Office members
• Receive opportunities to work with many of the special teams and assignments offered by the Sheriff’s Office (Dunes Patrol, Marine Patrol, Special Response Team, Forest Patrol, etc.)


Lane County Adult Corrections Volunteer Programs

The Adult Corrections Volunteer Programs contribute services and staff assistance that otherwise would not be provided.  Some of the volunteer positions in the Lane County Jail include:

  • Library Services
  • NA/ AA Services 
  • Religious Services

For additional information, contact Deputy Janeane McClure.

Applications for Corrections Division volunteer positions can be dropped off at the Lane County Adult Correctional Facility Sherman Center at 101 West 5th Avenue in Eugene or mailed to:

     Lane County Jail - Sherman Center
     Attn: Deputy Janeane McClure
    101 W. 5th Avenue
     Eugene, Oregon 97401
    

Information Volunteers

Information Volunteers- These volunteers are the first person that members of the public meet when they visit the Sheriff's Office in downtown Eugene.  These volunteers assist the public with general information and provide paperwork and/or referrals to other agencies, when applicable. This position is located at the Sheriff's Office at 125 E. 8th Avenue in Eugene. Contact Sergeant Ryan Wells, by e-mail or by calling 541-682-7406.
Volunteer

Chaplain Services

The Lane County Sheriff's Office Chaplain program consists of  volunteer Chaplains who donate their time and expertise to assist staff and the community.  When requested, Chaplains respond to calls for service to assist community members during times of crisis or need.  Chaplains can be a great source of comfort for family and friends during a death notification or notification that a loved one has been injured. 

Chaplains also provide spiritual guidance for staff when requested, and are a vital part of our Peer Support Team.

Chaplains must be certified and willing to attend periodic meetings and training, occasionally be called into service during evenings and weekends as well as during regular business hours, and be able to pass a background check.

If you are interested in learning more about the Chaplain program, please contact Sergeant Olsen or complete the volunteer application above.