Dakota County, MN

The Adopt-a-Highway Program looks for volunteers to collect litter along designated segments of County highways to help keep roadsides clean. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by the Dakota County Transportation Department.

Interested? Check to see what sections of roadway are available for adoption on the Adopt-a-Highway map.

Help us keep our roadways clean. Volunteers looking to collect litter along designated segments of County highways can help without adopting a section of road or forming a group. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by Dakota County Transportation staff.

Green Squad volunteers help our county events recycle more and create less waste. Green Squad volunteers are composed of Dakota County Recycling Ambassadors who are trained to be good stewards of our resources and to help others make smart decisions when it comes to recycling and waste management.

ATTENTION: Volunteers must first complete Dakota County's Recycling Ambassador training to participate in Green Squad events.

​Protecting Dakota County’s valuable surface water and groundwater resources is an important responsibility for everyone who lives and works here. Dakota County helps protect water quality every step of the way.

The Wetland Health Evaluation Program engages citizen volunteers to help monitor wetlands in their community. Since 1997, WHEP volunteers have been monitoring wetland health throughout Dakota and Hennepin counties. The WHEP program provides important information to city and county planners, engineers, resource managers, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other local agencies to track wetland health throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. 

WHEP volunteers work in teams to evaluate the biological health and stability of wetlands pre-selected by their community. All training and equipment is provided and volunteer times are flexible and adaptable to a busy summer schedule. Family-friendly and all ages welcome but we recommend this program to those who are 5 years old or older. 

For additional information about this program, check out this intro video , awesome WCCO news story or visit the MN WHEP website.

Please select the WHEP team you would like to join. If your desired team is full, please join the team nearest to where you live. The registration deadline for signing up is May 19, 2025. For assistance, please contact Garrett Zaffke at garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us. 

Dakota County Citizen Advisory Committees support county government by involving citizens in the decision-making process, meeting requirements of state law, helping to define community norms and standards, providing technical expertise, serving as advocates, offering feedback, and reflecting the diverse interests of Dakota County clients and residents.

Now is the perfect time to get out and help out. Group volunteering is a meaningful break from the work/daily routine to help build camaraderie, collaboration, improve team communications, and to help make lasting change. Dakota County’s volunteer opportunities offer many unique and rewarding experiences for your group to experience together. All supplies, training, and event organization is taken care of by us. All your group needs to do is show up, ready to work and have fun!  

Dakota County is looking for the best and the brightest to join our team and take on the challenging and rewarding work of public service. The work we do is unique – we protect public health, keep our communities safe, ensure our vulnerable residents are cared for, help residents get back on their feet; protect our natural resources, get veterans the help they deserve, make sure traffic flows efficiently, inspire children to read and so much more. Grow your career at Dakota County where you can truly “Be More.”

Looking to explore more of our opportunities? Check out our website at https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/Jobs

Disclaimer: The positions listed below are not with Dakota County Volunteers but with another organization located in Dakota County or serving Dakota County residents.

You may have to complete additional registration/documentation with the host organization to fully apply for these openings. The organizations that host these opportunities take full responsibility for the organization and management of their volunteers.

The Dakota County Historical Society continues to build upon the efforts of Fred E. Lawshe and others who have worked for the Society over the years. There are now over 25,000 objects in the museum’s collections and more than 20,000 photographs. Its publishing program, first begun in 1951 with a newsletter called Over the Years, now creates over 100 pages of original historical research a year. Its research library has one of the best collections of local history in Minnesota.

130 3rd Avenue North
South St. Paul, MN 55075
651-552-7548
Get Directions

Wednesday & Friday 9-5
Thursday 9-8
Saturday 10-3

LeDuc Historic Estate was built between 1862 and 1866 by William Gates LeDuc and his wife Mary LeDuc near the Vermillion River in Hastings, Minnesota. The LeDucs were prominent early settlers of Minnesota and played significant roles in the state's growth from a territory to a state. Take a step back in time and hear stories about the LeDuc family and the history of the 1800s.

1629 Vermillion Street
Hastings, MN 55033
651-438-8480
Get Directions

The Estate is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from May 15 through October 25 and on special occasion the rest of the year.

This program is only for individuals who need to perform court-ordered community service hours. Please be aware that any other opportunity within the county library is not eligible for court-ordered community service hours unless otherwise noted.

Minimum Qualifications

• 12-18 years old.
• Must be a current resident of Dakota County.
• Must be willing to work within our schedule, we will not make special arrangements to satisfy deadlines.
• We do not take applicant requests with deadlines less than 4 weeks out. We do not accept last minute requests. 
• We cannot help fulfill hours related to a felony offense or violent misdemeanors.

Address
20085 Heritage Dr
Lakeville, MN 55044

Phone
952-891-0360

Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Closed on holidays

Address
131 Seventh Ave. N

South St. Paul, MN 55075

Phone
651-480-0900

Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: noon - 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Closed on holidays

Address
1340 Wescott Road
Eagan MN 55123-1029

Phone
651-450-2900

Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Closed on holidays

Throughout the year, Dakota County Parks host stewardship opportunities and other habitat restoration events where volunteers can help with seed collecting, tree and shrub planting, plant propagation, greenhouse support and much more. Various sites and opportunities available seasonally across our park system.

Help maintain your dog's mental and physicals health by getting them outside to roam. Dakota Woods Dog Park is a 16-acre, fenced-in, wooded park that is a great place to let your dog run and exercise on and off-leash. The park is centrally located in Dakota County, just east of Rosemount and north of Farmington.  

Lake Byllesby Regional Park is nestled in the scenic Cannon River Valley on Lake Byllesby Reservoir, the largest lake in southern Dakota County. This beautiful park offers vast open space for a variety of year-round activities including cooling off in the splash pad or lake, staying overnight in our campsite, or taking a boat ride to take in the sheer cliff facings on shore that are hundreds of years old. Make sure to catch a glimpse of the Lake Byllesby Dam before you leave.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the crown jewel and largest park in the Dakota County park system. Containing almost 2,000 acres, the park offers miles of trails and many lakes for year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education. The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, located in the eastern section of the park, offers park information, interactive nature displays, courses and programs for all ages, and equipment rentals. 

Enjoy the feel of northern Minnesota from this scenic park that overlooks the Mississippi River. A rest stop along the Great River Road, Spring Lake Park Reserve is the "hidden jewel" of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead and picnic area provide a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River Valley as well as access to summer hiking and winter ski trails.

This charming 57-acre park provides a quiet get-a-way in the midst of West St. Paul. The park features a large picnic and playground area that overlooks Thompson Lake and miles of wooded trails that link Thompson County Park to Kaposia Park and to the Mississippi River Regional Trail. Thompson County Park is also the home of the Dakota Lodge — a four-season event center that is perfect for weddings, reunions, meetings, banquets, retreats, parties and much more.

Enjoy the outdoors while assisting park visitors with questions, directions, and providing an extra support measure in case of emergencies. Our patrol units offer a vital service to our county parks by providing trained individual assistance to our park users, helping to keep everyone happy and safe on our park and regional trails. Volunteer while personally enjoying the trails yourself, so easy and fun! 

Whitetail Woods Regional Park is located in Empire Township in the center of Dakota County, one mile north of the Vermillion River. Whitetail Woods provides year round fun from sledding down hill in the winter to enjoying a walk through the flowering prairie during the spring to taking in the relaxing sounds of an outdoor concert during the summer. Looking to get away for a weekend? Unique cabins for rent offer year-round comfy lodging for you and your family to explore the outdoors.

The American Red Cross and Dakota County partner to offer onsite blood donations at our main building locations throughout the county. 

Dakota County Social Services Internship Program

The Dakota County Department of Social Services provides a broad range of programs and services that enhance the well-being of individuals and families in the community. We offer a limited number of internships for associates, undergraduate and graduate degree students looking to fulfill academic degree requirements. 

General Process

• Submission of an online application through Better Impact.
• An email request will be sent out requesting a resume and cover letter to add to applicant's file.
• County staff will review all potential applicant submissions. 
• A brief interview conducted by county staff to top applicants for final selection and position offers. 
• A background check will be sent out for completion to selected applicants.
• If necessary, a written agreement between Dakota County and the college or university prior to acceptance will be drafted and sent.
• If necessary, a meeting between the school contact and intern supervisor prior to start date will be scheduled. 

2025 Schedule

See below for available opportunities. 

Disclaimer: The positions listed below are not with Dakota County Volunteers but with another organization located in Dakota County or serving Dakota County residents.

You may have to complete additional registration/documentation with the host organization to fully apply for these openings. The organizations that host these opportunities take full responsibility for the organization and management of their volunteers.

Veteran Services provides benefit counseling, advice and assistance for veterans and their family members filing claims for the state and federal benefits. The county also assists veterans and their families with a variety of other programs and provides referrals to community resources.