Volunteer with Capitol Visitor Services

Our volunteers are an integral part of Visitor Services' mission to highlight the Capitol as the center of Oregon's democracy, and act as a link between the public and The People's Building. We have several regular positions:

• Tour Guides: Our Tour Guides lead groups of visitors from 4th graders to foreign dignitaries, interpret the history of the Capitol and Oregon, and spark curiosity about Oregon's Lawmaking process.
• Capitol Store: Store volunteers assist in the retail shop, get first look at new releases, meet with visitors from around the world, and help legislators find the perfect desk-accessories. Our store is filled with special Capitol-exclusive merchandise, memorabilia, and souvenirs.
• Information Desk: At the kiosk, our volunteers are the first point of contact between visitors and the process. During Legislative Session, the kiosk guides visitors through the process, from watching House or Senate Floor to testifying in Committee. During the interim, our Kiosk provides a touchpoint for visitors to Salem.
• We also rely on volunteers to accomplish our Special Events, like Cherry Blossom Day, Hispanic Heritage Day, Oregon's Birthday, and Holidays at the Capitol. Special event volunteers can serve for one day, or come back for multiple events!

For our regularly scheduled volunteers, we ask for a minimum of 1 shift per month. Most often, our volunteers find a day of the week that works best for them, and regularly volunteer in the morning or afternoon. Volunteers serve 2-4 hour shifts depending on role.

We have a vibrant volunteer community, a lively environment, and the satisfaction of helping people make a difference. Our volunteers also receive dedicated free parking during their shifts, 10% off in the Capitol Store, quarterly dine outs, a yearly appreciation event, and field trips.

We train our volunteers so that you can be successful in whichever role appeals to you. The most important skill is a willingness to learn and curiosity about what we do. However, some role-specific skills are:

We accept volunteers from 16-100!

Fill out the application here! We'll review your application and follow up with a conversation about what you're interested in, your availability, and a formal interview.

We have a robust onboarding process. We take time to introduce you to the building, legislative process, staff, and volunteer team. Depending on your role and the time of year, you may have formal group training with other volunteers, or shadow on-the-job. We offer ongoing training throughout your time as a volunteer, and always have staff available for support.

Feel free to reach out to our team at 503-986-1388, or email volunteers@oregonlegislature.gov to find out more!