VCE Volunteers Brochure
ID
VCEP-27NP (4H-1244NP)
Extension volunteers
- Educate and engage the public
- Develop community through social connections
- Serve as knowledgeable and credible resources
- Advocate for Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Are prepared leaders
Volunteer Screening Guidelines
Adopted 2025
Screening Volunteers
Volunteer screening supports the process of educating volunteer applicants about Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and creates the opportunity to allow faculty and staff to learn more about the interests of the volunteer applicant. The screening process also helps to protect the well- being of Virginia Cooperative Extension programs, its participants, and volunteers.
Volunteer Screening Levels
High-Level Screening Positions
High-level screening positions are determined based on the level of risk associated with the volunteer position and the potential for loss. These positions include:
- 4-H Volunteers that provide direct supervision to 4-H youth programs, handle 4-H club funds, or transport youth;
- 4-H Camp Volunteers 18 years of age and older (must be completed annually);
- Master Volunteers
- Volunteers in Positions of Trust (working with youth, seniors, those with disabilities, handling funds, or unsupervised access to VCE equipment/facilities).
Low-Level Screening Positions
Collaborative/Occasional/One-Time Volunteers These volunteer positions are under constant/ direct supervision of a VCE faculty/staff member or designated volunteer, or any person, who, as a part of their normal compensated employment, assists VCE in the accomplishment of a shared goal (teachers, Parks and Recreation staff, etc). No interview, reference check, or criminal background screening is required.
Screening Process
There are four primary steps to complete the volunteer screening process for Virginia Cooperative Extension high-level screening volunteer positions:
- Application/Enrollment Form – submit a completed application to the local unit office.
- Interview – a faculty/staff member or currently enrolled volunteer will make personal contact with the applicant to explore interests, skills, and to determine fit of the applicant with the volunteer position.
- Reference Checks – up to three references may be contacted by phone, email, or mail to provide information about the applicant’s professional, personal, and community experience.
- Criminal Background Screening* – National Criminal Index Search, National Sex Offender Registry Search, Name, SSN, and DOB validation with address history verification, County or Statewide Level Criminal Search.
*Repeated every three years (annually for 4-H camp volunteers or any volunteers involved in an overnight event/activity with youth).
Sterling Volunteers
A global background screening company with 40+ years of expertise, Sterling Volunteers offers background checks of the highest quality and accuracy. Sterling uses proprietary technology and a set of unique criminal locators to find more criminal records at America’s local and state courthouses and to deliver the most accurate information available. Sterling Volunteers ensures compliance with all applicable background screening laws. They are the experts in local, state, and federal legislation. Their background checks are stored in a fully secure environment and are fully FCRA-compliant. Results of the screening are only visible to the VCE State Administrators and are not released to local unit offices in order to protect the applicant’s confidentiality.
Cost
The cost for the background screening is $12.50 for the initial screening and $7.50 for re-checks. The applicant can contact the local VCE unit for details on payment information.
Recommended Criteria for Exclusion
Virginia Cooperative Extension will utilize the best practices and guidelines of Virginia Tech to determine a volunteer applicant's eligibility to serve. These standards are consistent with those used by many organizations that engage volunteers.
A person should be disqualified and prohibited from serving as a volunteer if the person has been found guilty of the following crimes within the specified time.
Sex Offenses
• All Sex Offenses – Regardless of the amount of time since the offense. Examples include: child molestation, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sodomy, prostitution, solicitation, indecent exposure, etc.
Felonies
- All Felony Violence – Regardless of the amount of time since offense. Examples include: murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated burglary, etc.
- All Felony offenses other than violence or sex within the past 10 years. Examples include: drug offenses, theft, embezzlement, fraud, child endangerment, etc.
Misdemeanors
- All Misdemeanor Violence offenses within the past seven years. Examples include: simple assault, battery, domestic violence, hit and run, etc.
- All misdemeanor drug and alcohol offenses within the past five years or multiple offenses in the past 10 years. Examples include: driving under the influence, simple drug possession, drunk and disorderly, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc.
- Any other misdemeanor within the past five years that would be considered a potential danger to children or is directly related to the functions of that volunteer. Examples include: contributing to the delinquency of a minor, providing alcohol to a minor, theft if person is handling monies, etc.
This recommendation does not apply if criminal charges resulted in acquittal, Nolle Prosse, or dismissal. It is recommended that anyone who has been charged for any of the disqualifying offenses or for cases pending in court should not be permitted to volunteer until the official adjudication of the case.
Contact
There are many ways you can get involved with us. If you would like specific information on a particular volunteer opportunity, or if you are interested in volunteering but not sure in what way, contact your local Extension office.
For more information about Virginia Cooperative Extension’s volunteer efforts, contact:
Christina Ruszczyk-Murray
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Volunteer Engagement
crmurray@vt.edu
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
Publication Date
July 31, 2026
