Become a Volunteer Instructor

Who are the Volunteer Instructors?

The volunteer instructors are the key to having successful education programs. The volunteers are motivated people who have an interest in recreational safety and who are willing to donate a few hours of their time each year to teach safety education classes in your area. Becoming a volunteer instructor is a great way to help save lives, prevent injuries, meet people in your community, and positively influence the attitudes and actions of other resource users. Certification as a volunteer instructor is and must continue to be considered both an honor and a privilege. Both as a group and as individuals, instructors represent a proud and honorable tradition of volunteer citizen involvement in providing community service.

What are the Qualifications of a Certified Volunteer Instructor?

1. Be at least 18 years of age
2. Must have some experience in the specific program of interest
3. Be a graduate of the student course in Wisconsin for the safety education program.
4. Demonstrate a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to carry out program responsibilities
5. Demonstrate the abilities necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Wisconsin DNR volunteer instructor
6. Demonstrate a sincere interest in facilitating course ethics based upon responsibility and respect
7. Pass a background check

Certification Methods

Apprenticeship:

1. Serves as an apprentice under a sponsoring instructor with an instructor group
2. Must assist teaching a minimum of two complete courses
3. Be recommended by a certified instructor for full certification
4. Complete instructor certification process

One or Two Day Certification Training Session:

1. Attend and successfully complete a certification training session such as a clinic or academy hosted or approved by a Recreational Safety Warden.
2. Complete instructor certification process

To Be Eligible for Certification:

Applicants must complete the certification process:

1. Meet instructor qualifications (see qualifications above)
2. Find a certified instructor in your area to sponsor you.
3. Complete and Submit the Apprentice Application, Form 8500-161 [PDF 162 KB]
4. Pass an initial background check per NR 19.30
5. Complete and submit the Apprentice Instructor Exam supplied by your sponsor.
6. Submit the Instructor Training Record and Application, Form 8500-162 [PDF 45.4 KB] completed by you and your sponsor.
7. Pass a local background check conducted by the Conservation Warden in your area

What Topics do Volunteer Instructors Teach?

At the very core of every ATV, boat, snowmobile, or hunter education course is safety, ethics, and responsibility. ATV and snowmobile courses last a minimum of 6 hours, boating 8 hours, and hunter education 10 hours. Often, courses last several hours longer and may take place on weekday evenings or on weekends. Students enrolled in a course will be exposed to a vast array of topics for that particular activity. For example, in hunter education students will learn about our hunting heritage and safe gun handling and also about marksmanship, game care, and the environment. In ATV and snowmobile courses students will learn about their machines, how to ride, and operating techniques while boater safety students gain knowledge about boating techniques and navigation rules that will keep them safe on the water.

What is Expected of a Volunteer Instructor?

In order to remain an active certified volunteer instructor, you must participate in teaching at least one class every two years. In addition, all instructors must meet a continuing education requirement by attending approved training once every three years. Training is usually hosted or approved by a Recreational Safety Warden. Most instructors work in teams, under the leadership of a lead volunteer instructor who sets up the courses and pulls the teaching team together. Depending on your skills, comfort level, and knowledge, you will be asked to assist in several ways at a course, from organizing paperwork, helping small groups of students in a hands-on exercise, to providing instruction to the entire class. The lead volunteer instructor will work with you to determine what meets your needs as well as the needs of the course.

What Other Ways Can I Contribute to Safety Programs?

Volunteer instructors have reviewed materials and equipment for possible use in programs, submitted articles for newsletters, and volunteered for special public outdoor events. The ways in which a volunteer instructor can contribute to these programs are numerous, limited only by your skills, time, and availability

Personal satisfaction: As the name "volunteer" implies, you as an instructor are compensated in the satisfaction of knowing that what you are doing is important, that your contribution may save lives, and positively influence the attitudes and actions of those who share or will share the outdoors with you. While there is no monetary benefit from teaching our safety programs, you will be respected by your students and recognized as a leader in your community.

Contact Information

If you are interested in becoming a member of one of the largest volunteer instructor corps in North America, contact any of your Regional Recreational Safety Wardens.