Thank your for your interest in volunteering with WaterCan.  We value our volunteers as essential team members who make it possible for us to provide clean water and basic sanitation to those who need it most.  We couldn’t do it without you!

Our Volunteer Program is designed to ensure that volunteers can put their skills, talents and capacities to their best use at WaterCan - making it a mutually enriching experience.

The Program is comprehensive in the sense that there are opportunities for anyone who is interested - not just people who already have solid background knowledge in water and development issues. We have volunteer positions that are geared towards middle and high school students, those more appropriate for development studies graduates, and those for individuals interested in coordinating fundraising events and representing WaterCan at public engagement activities.

Participating in our volunteer program will increase your knowledge of water and sanitation issues, encourage you to impart this knowledge to your community, build valuable workplace skills and most importantly, help provide better health and opportunities to those who need it most.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities:

Committee Positions
Event Volunteer Positions
Fundraising Volunteer Positions
Administration & Program Positions
Research Positions
Communications Positions
Internship/Co-op Positions
Volunteering Overseas

Internship/Co-op Opportunities:
The majority of the listed volunteer positions can be adapted to volunteer internship or co-op positions.  If you are interested in such an opportunity, we ask that you select a position of interest and submit both the volunteer application form and a one-page work proposal that includes a clear description of your specific internship/cop-op requirements, placement duration, any expectations of WaterCan and, most importantly, how you envision contributing in the proposed position as an intern/co-op student.  Unfortunately, WaterCan does not offer paid internships or co-op positions.

Application Procedure:

1.  Review the selection of available Volunteer Positions.  Should none of the positions interest you, but you would like to be added to our volunteer email list for new opportunities, simply email info@watercan.com.

2.  Download and review our Volunteer Management Policy (PDF) to ensure that you are comfortable with all clauses and requirements.  This document was developed for your protection and contains valuable information! 

3.  Complete the Volunteer Application Form (downloadable, enterable pdf and word versions) and mail, fax or email (info@watercan.com) to the attention of Volunteer Coordinator (i.e. Subject Line:  To the attention of the volunteer coordinator).  Please include a copy of your resume should you feel it enhances your application.  Please note:  our volunteer program is administered by the Volunteer Coordinator – in itself a volunteer and part-time position.  As a result, we may not be able to respond to your application/questions immediately.  Please allow 5 working days for a response, but don’t hesitate to call us if your inquiry is urgent!

4.  Prior to being assigned or appointed to a position, most volunteers will be interviewed to determine their suitability for and interest in the position(s) sought. Interviews may be conducted either in person or by telephone by the volunteer coordinator or WaterCan staff member.

Notes

1.  Volunteering Overseas:
WaterCan does NOT send volunteers overseas. WaterCan’s partnership model relies on overseas NGO partners who are responsible for selecting and hiring their own technical staff who in turn work closely with beneficiary communities. WaterCan works with NGO partners staffed by local people because they have the significant advantages of: language and cultural sensitivity; existing relationships with communities and local government officials; they operate in a cost-effective manner; and, are in a better position to assess and respond to the water and sanitation needs of local communities. Our partnership model places a high priority on the development of in-country human resources and capacity building

Moreover, sending a volunteer overseas involves significant financial and admininistrative costs that WaterCan is not in a position to cover.

For these reasons WaterCan is unable to accommodate requests for volunteering overseas.

2.  Non-Discriminatory Policy:
WaterCan/EauVive Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and shall select volunteers on the basis of interest and available skills.  WaterCan does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability or receipt of public assistance.

3.  Limitations for persons with disabilities:
Please note that certain persons with disabilities may not be able to complete volunteer work from the WaterCan office due to the fact that the office is located in a heritage building that does not have an elevator.  There are, however, many volunteer opportunities outside of the office in which concerned volunteers can take part. 

4.  Recruitment of Minors:
Volunteers who are under 18 years of age must provide the written consent of a parent or guardian prior to volunteering at any event expressly organized by WaterCan, or for any task-specific request by WaterCan. The volunteer services by a minor are to be performed in a non-hazardous environment and are to comply with all appropriate requirements of child labor laws.

4.  References
Based on the position, potential volunteers may be asked to submit personal and/or professional references as part of the application process prior to their acceptance as a volunteer. A staff member will then conduct the reference checks.

5.  Police Records Check
As appropriate for the protection of WaterCan’s personnel, donors and other volunteers, Police Records Check (PRC) may be used as a screening tool, particularly for volunteers performing financial duties or working closely with at risk persons, such as children under the age of 18.

6.  Placement decisions
When placing a volunteer, attention shall be paid to the interests and capabilities of the volunteer and to the requirements of the volunteer position. No placement shall be made unless the requirements of both the volunteer and the supervising staff can be met: no volunteer should be assigned to a ‘make-work’ position and no position should be given to an unqualified or uninterested volunteer.

7.  Acceptance and Appointment
Service as a volunteer shall begin with an official notice of acceptance or appointment to a volunteer position. Notice may only be given by an authorized representative of WaterCan. No volunteer shall begin performance of any position until they have been officially accepted for that position and have completed all necessary screening and paperwork.