Volunteer & Internship Opportunities

Service Work: Volunteering in the Courts

Service workers provide a service to the Judicial Branch, but are not paid employees. They include volunteers, unpaid interns, service for credit students through colleges and universities, Able Workers through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and other organizations. Some of these organizations have funds available to pay the service workers; however, they are not paid by or through the Judicial Branch, and therefore, are not considered employees.

Our volunteer program is called Maine Volunteers for Justice.

The mission of Maine Volunteers for Justice is to increase citizen access to justice, public understanding of Maine's court system, and the efficiency of court offices by engaging volunteers in a variety of quality service experiences.

We work with individuals, agencies, and educational institutions throughout the state to match volunteers to opportunities on a court-by-court basis. Our goal is to provide a mutually beneficial experience for the Service Worker and the Judicial Branch. Volunteer duties range from clerical work, electronic recording of courtroom proceedings, and special analytical projects; to providing gifts for small children enduring long waits in district court halls, or special assistance as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Volunteers may also be referred to other non-profit legal assistance agencies. 

A new volunteer opportunity being piloted at the York Judicial Center is the Courthouse Greeter volunteer program. This public-facing role will allow volunteers to develop customer service skills while learning about the State court system and helping the public navigate the courthouse and find informational resources. Courthouse Greeter job description. Apply online or download the application here.

Requirements for all volunteer service workers

All volunteer service workers must complete an application process, including a comprehensive criminal history background check. Volunteer service workers must be 18 years or older.

If you are interested in general Service Worker opportunities at courthouses around the State, please click on the link, State of Maine Volunteer Forms, which will bring you to the forms that need to be filled out and returned to the Administrative Office of the Courts. If you are flexible about courthouse location, please indicate this on the Service Worker application. Please note that not all courthouses are able to accept volunteers at all times. For more information please contact Dawn Rule, Senior Human Resources Generalist, 207-822-0707.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program

For information on volunteering to act as guardian ad litem for abused and neglected Maine children involved in protective custody cases in the Maine District Court, learn about the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program.

The State of Maine Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA Employer.