Search & Rescue Volunteer 2026

Job Description:

Search & Rescue Volunteer 2026

Description

Summary

About Deschutes County Search and Rescue:

Our mission is to provide professional, high-quality search and rescue assistance to citizens of Deschutes County, visitors who recreate locally, and mutual aid to other counties as requested. The ability to save a life or effect a successful rescue is often dependent upon how quickly the person can be found or reached.

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS: We urge you to carefully consider the time and fitness commitments SAR requires before submitting your application. APPLICATION PROCESS
Upon receipt of your completed application packet, the Sheriff's Office will conduct both a criminal and Department of Motor Vehicle background check. You must pass a driving record review and criminal history background. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must include an accurate driver's license number and state of origin on their application under the Personal Information section.Skills listed on the application will be reviewed and matched up with our anticipated needs for trending DCSOSAR missions.If selected for the next phase of the application process, you will be required to attend an informational meeting, complete a physical fitness test, and undergo a personal interview with Sheriff's Office and SAR staff.Final candidates will be required to submit to a urine test for drug screening.Final candidates will be required to be fingerprinted and participate in an online training for CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) access.
Search & Rescue is a highly demanding volunteer experience, both in terms of training and missions. Our members are required to log a minimum of 100 hours annually. The average member logs over 200 hours per year and many members exceed 400 hours annually. Volunteer members are required to participate in a minimum of six missions each year. Volunteers must be physically fit and able to hike, at times for long distances, carrying heavy equipment over varied terrain in all weather conditions. Members are expected to provide their own personal equipment and supplies. SAR missions are urgent in nature and can happen at any time of the day or night, with operational periods lasting 6 to 24 hours. Applicants who have dependents and/or demanding employment schedules should consider their level of flexibility in the home and workplace.

The first year is especially challenging. Before applying, make sure you will be available for each of the following required dates and times:

• Applicants who pass the initial screening must attend one of the following two informational sessions held at 63360 NW Britta St., Special Services Building #3 in Bend on: Thursday, December 4, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm OR Saturday, December 13, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Applicants can choose which date to attend. Spouses and significant others are encouraged to attend.
• Applicants must participate in a physical fitness hiking test: Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm OR Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm. Applicants can choose which date to attend.
• You must be available for a scheduled 30-minute panel interview with the Sheriff's Office and SAR volunteer staff during the week of January 5 to January 9, 2026.
• We expect that you will view SAR as a minimum 3-year commitment.
• General SAR meetings occur on the second Thursday of each month beginning at 6:00 pm and all SAR volunteers are encouraged to attend.

2026 Training and Testing Dates:

2026 Academy schedule -

• Evening classes, 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. March 30 & April 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, and 30
• Weekend classes, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. April 4, 11, and 18
• Overnighter, 8:00 am - 9:30 am. April 25-26
• Mock Mission, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. May 2
• Graduation, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. May 14
• SAR conducts community fire evacuations when a wildfire threatens. Annual training will be held at the April, May, and June General SAR meetings.
• Once accepted, students must complete two online courses prior to the first day of class (ICS100 and ICS700) and bring certificates of completion to class.
• Volunteers drive marked Sheriff's Office vehicles. As such, required training sessions in emergency vehicle operations, towing, and skid car are provided in May and June (8 hours).
• General SAR training occurs on the 4th Wednesday of most months beginning at 6:00 pm. All SAR volunteers are encouraged to attend.
• Most specialty teams train one or two evenings per month and sometimes on Saturdays. You will have opportunities to learn about specialty teams during the Academy.

Public Education:

SAR supports many requests from community organizations to give safety and outdoor skills talks. Participation in these events is elective but encouraged.

Equipment:

You will be required to supply a minimum kit of gear. A list of specific items will be supplied during Academy training. If you do not already possess the required gear, the initial investment can exceed $1000.00. Many already have some or most of the gear available to them. Do not purchase gear specifically for SAR until you have attended SAR Academy and consulted with other SAR members on what performs well in our working environment.

Compensation

This is a volunteer position. There are no county benefits available with this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants for Deschutes County Search and Rescue must be at least 21 years of age.

Necessary Special Requirements

Per Sheriff's Office policy, (1.02, Sect. 11c, Controlled Substances) the use of medical or recreational marijuana by Sheriff's Office members is prohibited. Regardless of current state and local laws, marijuana continues to be defined as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substance Act and is illegal under Federal law. Applicants who test positive for marijuana or any other controlled substance during the mandatory urine test will be disqualified.

Per Sheriff's Office policy, (4.33, Sect. 3c, Authorized Physical Access) volunteers will be fingerprinted and participate in an online security awareness training within six months of being granted duties that require CJIS access and every two years thereafter.

It is the policy of Deschutes County to ensure that consistent policies and procedures support participation and community involvement through volunteer service to Deschutes County.

There are no benefits offered with this position.

Closing Date/Time: 11/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific