Denver Good Deeds

• City and County of Denver Career Service employees
• Full time employees only - part-time/limited/or on-call employees are ineligible to take part in the program
• Employees who have completed their six-month new hire probationary period

• One (1) eight-hour day; or
• Two (2) four-hour periods over two days
• Hours must be used within the calendar year and cannot be carried-over into following year

Exempt full-time, unlimited Career Service employees should enter their Denver Good Deeds volunteer project hours into Kronos using code ALV – Good Deeds.

Non-exempt full-time, unlimited Career Service employees must ask their supervisors to add their volunteer project hours into Kronos using the code, ALV – Good Deeds.

Team Captain has the following responsibilities prior to the project date:

• Coordinating with the OHR Denver Good Deeds Program Administrator who will supply you with the following materials:
  • Denver Good Deeds T-Shirts
  • 311 business cards
  • Attendance sheet for your team
  • Waivers and emergency contacts for each member of your team
  • Day-of responsibilities checklist
• Coordinating with your team for transportation (e.g. if two employees are coming from the same agency, will they carpool?)
• Sending motivating reminder emails to your team as your project date approaches
• Reminding your team of supplies they need to bring, if required

Day-Of Responsibilities:

• Taking attendance and communicating absences to the OHR Program Administrator
• Leading a quick “ice-breaker” for the team to make introductions, if necessary
• Handing out 311 cards freely to any interested community members
• Reporting any injuries to the OUCH line and OHR Program Administrator immediately following an incident, and contacting emergency contact if necessary
• Overall being enthusiastic and encouraging to your team throughout the project!

No.

No. Please work with your supervisor to ensure that your volunteer time will not result in overtime.

No.

You must notify your direct supervisor at least two weeks before the date of the volunteer project that you would like to participate in. Approval is at the discretion of your direct supervisor.

While we encourage volunteering at your favorite charity on the weekends or during non-working hours, the only projects approved for paid volunteer time during the work week can be found on the Denver Good Deeds website. If you have an idea for a volunteer project, you can submit it through the form on the webpage. 

While we encourage volunteering with DEVO or at your favorite charity on the weekends or during non-working hours, the only approved uses for paid volunteer time can be found on the Denver Good Deeds website. If you are looking to volunteer without pay, check out DEVO’s website to sign up for their volunteer list and look for upcoming events.

Yes! You will be placed with a team of other City and County of Denver employees and notified of your team by the assigned Team Captain. 

Unless otherwise stated, all volunteer participants are expected to wear their Denver Good Deeds T-shirts which will be supplied to your Team Captain. In general, be prepared for the day and the environment:

• Wear appropriate clothing for work and weather
• Wear sturdy footwear. No open toed-shoes
• Wear sunscreen and/or hat when appropriate
• Bring work gloves if necessary

• Bring your lunch and/or snacks. You will have a break for lunch, and you are also able to pick-up lunch near your project site. Feel free to bring a cooler for water.
• Be sure to eat a good breakfast on the day-of the project
• Bring a filled water bottle to stay hydrated
• Bring any personal medications. Employees who have specific health or emergency needs such as allergic reactions to plants or insect bites should note them on their registration form. This will help determine what action to take.

The main priority at any volunteer project is the safety of all participants. To ensure that your group has a fun and safe experience, please review the safety tips below.

General Safety

• Make sure to take breaks throughout the day
• Report any injuries/fatigue immediately to the Team Captain
• Team Captain will be supplied with each volunteer’s waiver and emergency contact information in case of emergency
• Team Captain will contact the OUCH line if further assistance is needed

Site Safety

• Be aware of your surroundings, don’t work alone
• Watch for hazardous footing, uneven surfaces, slippery banks, tripping hazards
• Watch for hazardous vegetation weeds, tall grasses, poison ivy, etc
• Be aware of park users, especially bicyclists on trails
• Be aware of waste hazards, glass, needles, empty containers, etc., always sweep rake or shovel glass. Never pick up sharp objects with your hands.
• NEVER TOUCH NEEDLES! Notify the Team Captain immediately
• Do not reach into “blind” areas with bare hands
• Cross streets at signals or crosswalks
• When working in or around a gutter, work from the sidewalk
• Do not get near homeless camps. Do not dispose of their belongings

Tool Safety

• Always carry tools at your side with the most dangerous part turned down
• Keep a safe distance when carrying tools, an arm and tool length apart
• Never play with tools
• Never swing a tool higher than your shoulder
• Be aware of those around you, both tool users and non-users
• Store your tool properly, in a central location, not scattered around
• Use the proper tool for each task 

If you will be driving to the volunteer site from a city work location, or to a city work location from the volunteer site, you need to be authorized to drive for city business. Visit the Mileage And Parking Reimbursement page on DenverHub for details.

Denver Goods Deeds Employee Volunteer Program is limited to current full-time, unlimited Career Service City and County of Denver employees who have successfully completed their probationary period are eligible to participate in this program in accordance with the parameters set forth in Career Service Rule 9-80 (PDF).

Non-city employees are not welcome to participate in Denver Good Deeds projects alongside city employees. Residents/non-employees are encouraged to find other city volunteer opportunities online.