EP 1130-2-500
27 Dec 96
CHAPTER 10 - THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
10-1. Purpose. This chapter establishes guidance on accepting the services of volunteers.
10-2. Background.
a. PL 98-63 authorizes the Chief of Engineers to accept the services of volunteers and to
provide for their incidental expenses to carry out any activity of the Army Corps of Engineers
except policy making or law/regulatory enforcement. The Corps objective is to utilize voluntary
services having some value to the Corps in a manner mutually beneficial to the volunteer and the
public interest. MSC offices have the responsibility for the coordination of volunteer programs
within their MSC, including monitoring and evaluating volunteer programs within their districts,
providing assistance to district counterparts, and acting as a liaison between the districts and
HQUSACE. Administration of each district's volunteer program is the responsibility of a
designated Coordinator.
b. Volunteers may carry out many activities for the Corps of Engineers. Voluntary
service may include work that would not otherwise be accomplished because of funding or
personnel limitations. Volunteers may produce products for the Corps at off-site locations.
10-3. Guidance.
a. A successful volunteer program requires a step-by-step approach to assess Corps
needs, develop a plan to accomplish those needs, and evaluate program success. The program
should also tailor Corps needs to the volunteer talents available in the local area. The major steps
in this procedure are:
(1) Assess overall needs. Define the tasks that need to be done at the individual project
or office.
(2) Evaluate costs and benefits. This program is not "free." It will require staff time and
administrative support. Regulate the size of the program to match individual organizational
capability.
(3) Refine task descriptions. The supervisor will develop simple descriptions for the tasks
that need to be accomplished. Existing information will be used to the greatest extent possible.
The level of work described will be used to establish a value of the service performed. This
replacement cost classification determination, as well as the number of hours volunteered, will
give the accepting official the means to determine the value of each volunteer's work effort.
(4) Recruit and select. Advertise the volunteer program through public service
announcements, news releases, personal contact and brochures. Screen all applicants and identify
the talents that are available. Match the volunteer applicants with the tasks identified and finish
the acceptance process.
(5) Provide orientation (training). Provide initial orientation and follow-up training
commensurate with the type of job, length of proposed service and the requirements for safety.
10-1
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