Volunteer Information

Have a conversation about volunteer opportunities with the school principal. Visit the OPS Careers webpage to apply for a volunteer position.

View Current Job Openings

All volunteer applications must be submitted and receive final approval from Talent Services. Background checks are required for certain volunteer activities. Requirements include the following:

• Treat all students with dignity, care, and respect,
• Follow District policies and procedures,
• Follow the directions and guidance of the staff member you are working with,
• Report any concerns to your school's point of contact within the school administration.

Mentoring, classroom assistance, clerical support, chaperoning field trips, tutoring, etc. Speak with the principal/office staff to discuss opportunities.

Yes! A teaching background is not required to be a volunteer. Volunteers work closely with and under the direction of school staff. Any necessary training or guidelines will be provided by the school staff to assist you.

Yes! There are opportunities that occur from time to time that do not require an ongoing commitment.

Yes. Each school principal will have the opportunity to approve the activity and decide the level of approval for their school. You can identify each school of interest on a single application. Only one background check is required if needed.

We're always happy to welcome new volunteers to our schools. In fact, we depend on families and community members to support our dedicated teachers. Your time, talents, and resources bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to our students.

Our primary focus must be the safety of those entrusted to our care. Therefore, we have three tiers of access with different clearance levels:

• Level 1 – Does not require a background check. This level addresses activities that are at the school. This is the most basic level and does not involve student contact. Examples include research, clerical work, and filing in the office area.
• Level 2 - Does not require a background check. It is intended for activities where the volunteer is ALWAYS in a group setting with a certificated OPS staff member present on or off district property.
• Level 3 - Requires both a criminal and a Department of Health and Human Services background check. This level is intended for individuals who may be working one-on-one with a student, with or without direct supervision of a certificated staff member, and may take place either on or off district property. This level of clearance will allow volunteering in activities that involve supervising students, such as tutoring, field trips, chaperoning (in and out of town), coaching, and mentoring.

Background checks are required when you work directly with children without a certified staff member present. Volunteering at this level requires an annual criminal background check and a Department of Health and Human Services background check administered by the company chosen by Omaha Public Schools.

Omaha Public Schools will not ask volunteer applicants to incur any of the costs associated with background checks.

This will depend on the volunteer activity. Regardless of the activity, you should aim to build relationships with both students and teachers that foster a productive learning environment.

Disciplinary action is the responsibility of the teachers and the school staff. Volunteers do not enforce discipline. Think about instruction instead of discipline. Remind students what they are supposed to be doing. Request that students work in accordance with classroom expectations. Immediately notify the teacher of any discipline problem.

If you can’t be at the school during your scheduled time, contact the school office as soon as possible to arrange a different day or time that week. Your work is valuable, and the teacher will plan class activities that involve you for that day, so a regular schedule is important.

Yes. Every person who enters the school must sign in and out for each visit. This allows school staff to know who is in the building at all times.

You may discuss your involvement and general roles at the school. Please avoid mentioning specific students, staff, or school practices. Privileged information is essential to school operations, protected by Federal Law, and must never be shared outside the school environment. Criticizing students, staff, or school practices is also not acceptable. You serve as an important link between the school and the community. Your volunteer experience will allow you to share many of the positive things students and staff are doing.

Immediately call Child Protective Services at 800-652-1999. Next, notify the school principal after contacting Child Protective Services. Keep the details and your actions confidential.

Park in the school’s parking lot in the area designated for visitors. If you are uncertain, ask the school secretary.

You can find school schedule delays and closing notices on the school website or through local media. You can also give your phone number to the school office so you can be contacted about school closures.

Contact us at volunteers@ops.org.