Volunteers Wanted: Help Rank Investments in Washington’s Outdoors
Do you want to have a hand in improving and protecting Washington's outdoors?
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is looking for 50 volunteers to serve on its advisory committees, which help determine what new projects will happen around the state. The advisory committees evaluate grant proposals for parks, boating amenities, working farms and forests, and habitat conservation statewide. There’s a committee for just about any outdoor activity you’re passionate about.
Make a Difference for the Outdoors
Created in 1964, the Recreation and Conservation Office provides statewide leadership and funding to protect and improve the best of Washington’s natural and outdoor recreation resources. Volunteering with the RCO, you would join 200 other folks serving on 17 different committees to evaluate about 650 grant applications every 2 years.
As an advisory committee member, you’ll have the opportunity to grow in the following ways:
- Learn and grow professionally while enhancing your resume
- Get the inside scoop on how we’re investing in preserving and enhancing parks, trails, and outdoor spaces in communities across Washington State
- Network among a community of like-minded people in the outdoor and environmental industries that truly care about making Washington a better place to live, play, and grow
- Understand what makes a good project and how to score well in future evaluations
What’s Required:
- Time: You will spend anywhere from 3-10 days every 2 years reviewing and evaluating grant applications and helping applicants improve their proposals. Members serve 4-year terms and may serve additional terms at their choosing.
- Travel or remote work: Reviews are generally in person, though there are opportunities to review applications remotely. We reimburse you for your travel expenses as the budget allows.
- Your best thinking: RCO may ask you to help write statewide policies. In those cases, additional meetings may be necessary.
Advisory committee members must be available to spend several days every other year reviewing grant applications and providing suggestions to applicants to help them improve their proposals. The office generally reviews grant applications in person in Olympia in even-numbered years, with some remote review flexibility.
Visit the Recreation and Conservation Office website to submit an application by January 1, 2019.