Important Resources

Partnership Resource Center

This Forest Service website provides a wealth of information for both existing partners and those looking to join in serving the agency’s mission. Visit the Partnership Resource Center here.

Volunteer Data Reporting

Partners are asked to track and share data about volunteer engagement in Forest Service activities using the VSReports web application. This information helps the Forest Service shape its budgeting, reports, and program planning. Use of the VSReports portal requires login credentials, which partners will receive from Forest Service personnel in their region.  Click here to visit the VSReports portal.

Anti-Harassment Policy

The Forest Service strives to create and maintain a work environment in which all people are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect, and are free from harassment. This commitment extends to all Forest Service employees, contractors, and anyone who does business with us—including partners. Learn more here and read the entire Anti-Harassment policy here. 

Civil Rights Act of 1965

The Forest Service is committed to welcoming and engaging all people. All Forest Service staff, partners, and volunteers must comply with the agency’s nondiscrimination policy and follow the guidance of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, which states that “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”  Partners are also protected from discrimination through this legislation. Learn more about Title VI regulations here. 

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

The Forest Service prioritizes recruiting and retaining a diverse pool of volunteers that reflect and include all segments of the population, including, but not limited to people of all ages, races, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and those from underrepresented communities. In order to do so, the Forest Service nurtures relationships with local communities, schools, tribal governments, non-profit groups, and other local and national organizations with insights on best practices to welcome, reflect, and provide opportunities for diverse populations.

Forest Service Code of Conduct 

The Forest Service is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all employees, volunteers, and partners are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect, and are free from harassment. The Forest Service workplace is an environment built on mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. Read the Forest Service Volunteer Code of Conduct here.

Attire

Volunteers will be expected to wear appropriate attire for their volunteer role, the details of which will be outlined by their Volunteer Coordinator or other designated official. Some volunteers may be asked to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a helmet or gloves, if their role requires such attire for safety reasons. Others may be asked to don Forest Service attire (such as a badge or branded hat), especially if they have meaningful or frequent contact with the public.

Forest Service Safety Policy

 Volunteers fall under the same safety policy guidelines as Forest Service staff members. These guidelines can be found in the Forest Service Manual, section 6709, which can be viewed here.  As with staff, volunteers are expected to follow procedures for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations (view here), and follow all procedures for accident reporting. Volunteers will receive the same training and certification for staff if they are doing specialized tasks including the use of crosscut saws or chainsaws. Supervisors will ensure that volunteers are trained on the risks, safety, and health guidelines for any such task, and a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) will be conducted for these tasks. Any need for PPE or a JHA will be included in the Volunteer Agreement.  

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Volunteers serve in a wide variety of environments, all of which can present some degree of risk. A JHA is a risk management tool that helps assess, identify, and mitigate risk to volunteers and staff alike. This document will be tailored to the volunteer’s work and location, outlining the tasks relevant to their role, the possible hazards associated with those tasks, actions that will be taken to mitigate those risks, and an emergency evacuation plan. View a Sample JHA here.

Risk Assessment (RA)

In some cases, a Risk Assessment worksheet may be used in lieu of a JHA. This document assesses potential hazards and their mitigations. 

Accident and Incident Reporting

All accidents, injuries, and incidents must be reported to the volunteer coordinator or other supervisor, and must be entered into the eSafety portal within 72 hours of their occurrence. This system records and generates statistical information such events involving staff and volunteers, which helps the Forest Service conduct analysis of incidents that will help prevent their occurrence. Reportable incidents include serious personal injury, property damage that exceeds $1,000, injury or property damage incurred by private citizens, incidents that exhibited a high potential for serious consequences, incidents with a high degree of public interest, and any incident where there exists a possibility for claims either by or against the Forest Service. Learn more about accident reporting in Forest Service Manual chapter 6730 .

Working with Volunteers Under 18

Volunteers under the age of 18 require written consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to volunteer and must comply with Federal and state child labor laws. State laws may further constrain federal laws but may not broaden or loosen them. In order to best maintain a safe environment, minors will receive supervision while volunteering, whether by the Forest Service or by the organization, group, or school through which they are volunteering. Volunteers under age 16 may not use power tools on any project unless specifically allowed by child labor laws. Department of Labor prohibits children from “forestry services” tasks such as firefighting, timber cruising, forest pest control, and more. You can find State child labor laws on your State’s labor department website. Learn more about Federal labor laws here. 

Federal funding is available to support the important work carried out by our partners, which in turn helps expand the reach of the Forest Service. The Grants.gov website, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, acts as a “one-stop shop” for federal grants. Partners can use the site to not just search and apply for available opportunities, but also learn more about the process of receiving, managing, and reporting on a grant award.