City Government

City Board and Commissions: Assist city government by participating on a board or commission. A variety of boards exist and work to make recommendations to City staff and Council. In addition, public participation is welcome at any Board or Commission meeting. For a list of meeting dates and documents, including agendas, please visit our Legislative Information Center.

Community Engagement

No opportunities currently. Check back in the future.

Fire Department

Fire Explorers (currently in development): Intended for ages 14-20 years old, this program will provide first-hand experience in what it mentally and physically takes to be a professional firefighter. Participants will receive fire service training under supervision of trained firefighters. The program will be designed to give participants beneficial experience, discipline, and knowledge that can apply to any career field.

Police Department

Community Police Experience: The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Community Police Experience (CPE) is a free, 6-week, hands-on experience with SRPD officers and staff. CPE gives those who work or live in the City of Santa Rosa an introduction to the local criminal justice system, and a first-hand opportunity to learn about the different duties and responsibilities of police officers and staff including patrol procedures, criminal investigations, narcotics investigations, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, community policing, and more. The Youth Community Police Experience offers a similar opportunity for youth ages 14 - 18 while the Policía y La Comunidad offers CPE completely in Spanish.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS): Assist the Santa Rosa Police Department by facilitating Neighborhood Watch meetings, patrolling City streets, using radar to monitor speeding, marking and towing abandoned vehicles, presenting school safety programs, provide additional staffing at special events, and perform administrative duties throughout the department. For more information, call 707-543-3550.

Recreation & Parks

Adopt-A-Green Space Program: Help keep Santa Rosa's parks and green spaces beautiful! The Adopt-A-Green-Space program welcomes individuals or groups who want to volunteer their time and efforts on a regular basis to care for a specific park or median in Santa Rosa. Participants commit to "adopting" the space for at least a year and performing tasks such as weeding, planting, seasonal maintenance, litter removal, graffiti removal, or other special projects. Contact the Volunteer Program Desk at [email protected] or 707-543-3279 for more information, or submit a proposal.

Group Projects: If you belong to a service club, church group, business or another group that would like to do a community service project in a park, we have many opportunities! You can view a list of potentials projects here. We request at least 6 weeks advance notice. Click here for a project proposal, or contact the Volunteer Program Desk at [email protected] or 707-543-3279 to discuss your group project.

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens: Luther Burbank Home and Gardens is where world-renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank lived and experimented with plants for most of his 50-year career. Gardener volunteer positions are available, no experience necessary. The positions are great for those looking for a regular, ongoing volunteer opportunity in one of Santa Rosa's most significant historical landmarks.

Park-A-Month Volunteer Program: Join us at neighborhood park and community center sites for clean-ups on the second Saturday of each month. Bring your friends and work together, or come and meet new people while helping to keep our parks in great shape! These family-friendly workdays are a fun and productive way to help beautify a park or community center through tasks such as litter pickup, spreading mulch, cleaning play area equipment and picnic barbecues, weeding, and more. Volunteer time is from 9 a.m. to noon.

Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery: The Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery Preservation Committee has an active group of amazing volunteers who maintain and interpret this historical landmark. Whether you are interested in becoming a docent, joining a monthly workday, caring for a plot through the Adopt-A-Plot program, or learning more about how to get involved, we've got something for you!

Scout Projects: Scout projects play an important role in improvements to our parks! Click here to view our Eagle Scout & Gold Award Project Procedures Handbook. Please contact the Volunteer Program Desk at [email protected] or 707-543-3279 to discuss your project ideas, at which point we'll have you fill out a project proposal form.

Work With Seniors: No opportunities currently. Check back in the future.

Work With Youth: Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Neighborhood Services Division provides innovative youth development programming that serves at-risk, low-income and homeless youth and families throughout Santa Rosa.

Transportation and Public Works

Citizens provide the eyes and ears in our community and help us to maintain a safe street and pedestrian system. We appreciate your taking time to report any safety or repair concerns that you may have.The department is also interested in input citizens may have with regard to capital improvement projects. To find out how you can get involved, including participating in public meetings, visit the Transportation and Public Works webpage.

Water Department

Volunteer Creek Stewards: The Creek Stewardship Program offers citizens who live, travel, and recreate along Santa Rosa's creeks the opportunity to protect and enhance the creeks they enjoy. Activities include walks, creek cleanups, restoration work days, presentations on creek topics, and creek activities for youth programs. Working together, the Water Agency, the City, and its citizens can enhance creek corridors to provide efficient transportation routes, safe neighborhoods, scenery, wildlife habitat, and recreation.