Become a 4-H Volunteer in Arizona

Why we do this:   The application process allows us to find the correct match between your interests and abilities and our needs.
How you do this:

• Each county manages its own process, which likely includes a written application, an interview, and reference checks
• Send a request to your county for detailed instructions here.
• A county staff person will let you know when you are ready for Step 2

Why we do this:   The safety of 4-H youth is the primary concern as the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension assigns volunteers to the program.  We require all 4-H regular volunteers to clear a fingerprint-based background check.  By requiring this clearance, we know that our 4-H youth are safe.  Parents and communities know that youth are safe in our program.  Volunteers know that their colleagues are united with them in the effort to keep youth safe. 

The background check standard for University of Arizona Cooperative Extension is the Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Background check card (DPS card). 

How you do this:  

First, gather the necessary information and items 

• Credit/debit card to pay the fees
• Specific instructions from your county office if they are providing funding
• County office address
• Personal information (driver license, social security number) 

Second, find a site where you can have digital prints taken

• Businesses and organizations that collect and transmit digital fingerprints

Third, start your application with Arizona Department of Public Safety

• A prompt will ask if you will volunteer in schools; select yes
• Leave the school / employer information blank if possible
• If an address is required, enter your county Cooperative Extension office address
• Follow the prompts
• The fee is $65 and must be paid online
• Log back into the AZ DPS portal and check messages 
• Record the 10-character application/documentation/reference number in your message; you will need it to set an appointment

Fourth, wait 5 to 30 minutes (depends on volume of business) for the AZDPS site to transmit your information to Arizona FieldPrint, then pay the fee to get your digital prints taken

• Go to Fieldprint's portal: https://arizona.fieldprint.com 
• Select "Fingerprint Clearance Card" from the list of reasons
• You need the 10-character documentation/reference number from AZ DPS message center
• Fee is $8.25
• Fee must be paid online with credit/debit card
• Take your receipt to the fingerprinting site of your choice from the options available  
• ALL sites require an appointment, NO walk-ins.

Fifth, Arizona Department of Public Safety will notify you of the status of your clearance card

• You should get an email verifying that they are processing your card
• The AZ DPS site says it may take up to 8 weeks
• Many people receive their card within a week of the date the prints were taken
• The card comes directly to you
• Replacement of lost cards costs $65.00

Sixth, submit the complete Background Check Packet to your county office

• Digital copy of the front of your DPS card
• Digital copy of the front of a government-issued photo id (driver license)
• Filled in and signed copy of the authorization (see below) which gives University of Arizona permission to check status of the DPS card
• UArizona checks the status regularly as long as the card is valid and you are a volunteer with UArizona 

Why we do this:   The Designated Campus Colleague (DCC) relationship is the legal agreement between the volunteer and the University of Arizona.  UArizona provides guidelines and training.  Volunteers set up growth opportunities for youth.  4-H youth are encouraged to learn about themselves and their community.  These same youth do activities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. 

The legal relationship says that volunteers will follow university guidelines and that the university will back the volunteer's efforts with guidance and legal support.  Additionally, active DCC status provides access to university resources such as email, Google apps, and Zoom.

How you do this: 

First, the county office enters your information into the University of Arizona Workforce database, UAccess.

Second, you will receive several emails

• from FSO at arizona.edu
• which contain information you need 
• which may get caught in the spam/junk/unwanted folders in your email

Third, we can help

• with the date the emails were sent
• by having the emails resent if you deleted them
• by providing step-by-step instructions in a .pdf or by video
• by providing instructions for how to manage the speed of videos on YouTube

Fourth, Set up your NetID, password, and NetID+

• Open Step by Step Instructions for Setting up your NetID and NetID+ in a separate tab for reference
• Then Set up your NetID, password, and NetID+ here.

Fifth, finish your DCC registration; instructions available in .pdf below

Sixth, set up your University Email account here.

• Enter your <netid>@email.arizona.edu address and click Sign In.
• At the UA-branded login screen, enter your NetID and password

Why we do this:  ZSuite ZingBook allows leaders to track their own records, track membership of the club, send emails to club members and the parents of club members, monitor project status, and view project books.  Trainings for such things as equine helmet safety are available in ZSuite.  County staff maintain records of volunteer credentials in this database.  Youth can enter information and generate project books in this database.

How you do this: 

Comprehensive guides to all phases of ZSuite uses are located  here.

ZSuite website is https://4h.zsuite.org/

Why we do it:  The Preventing Harassment training helps maintain equitable and legally mandated opportunities for all residents of Arizona by helping volunteers, staff, and students develop

• Recognition of behaviors such as implicit bias, discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, gender discrimination, and stalking.
• Skills for encouraging respect and civility in the workplace, creating positive and productive workplaces and building positive organizational culture.

All members of the university community are expected to complete this training every two years.  Changing duties may require volunteer, staff, or student to complete the training more frequently.

How you do this: 

• Log into EDGE, the University of Arizona employee Training app using your NetID, password, and NetID
• EDGE user instructions are available here
• To find information or ask questions about this training, check here:  https://equity.arizona.edu/training/online-training
• University of Arizona Office of Institutional Equity Policies and Procedures are available here

Why we do this:   As part of the effort to provide appropriate environments for all youth in our programs, The University of Arizona provides a training on Youth Safety.  This training explains Arizona laws that cover abuse and neglect.  It sets out the signs that would tell you that a youth is at risk of abuse or neglect, as well as signs that another adult is grooming a youth for an inappropriate relationship.  It also includes best practices for helping an endangered youth, and explains the legal responsibilities for 4-H leaders who discover any of these signs.

How you do this:   

• This training requires NetID and NetID+.
• Every volunteer and staff person should complete Youth Safety training every year to make sure they have the most current information on the Arizona law, The University of Arizona regulations, and best practices.
• Log in here:  https://d2l.arizona.edu/d2l/loginh/

NOTE:  Cooperative Extension requires an additional step in the reporting process as outlined in the training.  If a volunteer recognizes signs of abuse, neglect, or grooming, the information should be reported to local law enforcement (city, county, or tribal) as well as to their county office and the University of Arizona Youth Safety office. 

Access The University of Arizona Youth Safety policies, guidelines for event registration, and other pertinent information  here.

Why we do this:  The 4-H orientation helps volunteers understand the guiding principles of the 4-H program, positive youth development, and the expectations for leaders engaged in the program.  The full orientation required by the Western Region 4-H Program is currently under revision.  When available, it will be accessible through ZSuite to all volunteers and parents. 

How you do this:   At this time, an overview of the 4-H program is available in ZSuite in the Clover Academy.  Log in and select Clover Academy to view this explanation of 4-H.  See Step 4 (above) for access to ZSuite.