Want to change the town without running for office?
Here’s the rare multi-tool: one paid job at the course, another in turnout gear, and a buffet of board seats where you can help draw lines, write rules, protect rivers, and call balls and strikes on building code. Think of it as Farmington’s civic Swiss Army knife—no assembly required, just your time and a sense of humor. 😎
Paid gigs (yes, actual money)
Golf Course Starter / Ranger / Pro Shop Attendant — $16.35/hour (DOE)
Keep tee sheets on time, explain the rules without starting a rules seminar, and keep the carts and pace clean. Nights and weekends happen, because golfers. Apply via the town form: Employment Application (PDF) and send it to Recreation, attention Geoffrey Porter. Full posting with duties lives here: Golf Course Job Posting.
Part-Time Fire Fighter — $25–$35/hour (DOQ)
Yes, $25–$35 per hour. The job board says $20, but the posting says $25–$35; we read the footnotes so you don’t have to. The department wants trained hands who can respond, maintain gear, do daily checks, and document a calendar of training topics (incident command through live fire). Start with the Employment Application (PDF), then bundle copies of Firefighter II, EMT, AHA BLS, driver’s license with endorsements, CPAT, and training records. Full details: Part-Time Fire Fighter Posting. Your inbox point-of-contact is Amber Rush.
Volunteer fire service (the civic adrenaline)
If sirens call louder than podcasts, the department is recruiting volunteers. Training and gear provided; strong coffee recommended. Details and the download live at Become a Volunteer (TFFD). For questions: Thomas Fitzgerald, 860-675-2322, fitzgeraldt@farmington-ct.org.
Appointed boards & commissions (bring your brain 🧠)
Architectural Design Review Committee (ADRC)
Advises the Town Plan & Zoning Commission so Unionville Center and Farmington Center look like themselves in 10 years. The committee applies the village district standards in the zoning regs. Read the remit: ADRC Page. Interested? Call the Town Clerk (860-675-2380).
Building Code Board of Appeals
Five experienced humans (10+ years in construction/design) who hear appeals when the Building Official says “no” and you believe the code says “maybe.” If you can speak §29-266 without blinking, this is your room. Authority and membership: Code Chapter 5 — Building Code Board of Appeals. Clerk’s office can route you.
Green Efforts Committee
A joint Town Council/Board of Ed task force since January 14, 2009. Energy savings, recycling, renewable pushes, and that eternal campaign to turn off lights nobody is using. Charge and membership: Green Efforts Committee. Meetings are first Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (Zoom). Report backs are quarterly. Bring ideas and comfortable shoes.
Human Relations Commission (HRC)
Seven members, two-year terms, minimum four meetings a year. The HRC hears ADA-related conflicts, discrimination complaints, and helps resolve non-criminal interpersonal disputes—quietly, with paperwork. Mission page: HRC Page. For structure and powers, it’s all here: Code Chapter 35 — Human Relations Commission.
Justice of the Peace (term 2025–2029)
Farmington nominates 30 JPs for four-year terms. Powers are clear-cut: administer oaths, take acknowledgments, solemnize marriages, take depositions. Want the fine print? Code Chapter 41 — Justices of the Peace and the state manual summary of powers cited here: CT JP Duties (reference excerpt). To be considered for the next cohort, talk to the Town Clerk.
Unionville Historic District & Properties Commission (Alternates, too)
Stewardship for a district established in 2008; reviews certificates of appropriateness and keeps Unionville’s bones intact while owners renovate. Details, including guidelines and maps: Unionville Historic District Commission.
Veterans Memorial Committee
Formed February 26, 1991. Built the Town Hall memorial and now maintains all memorials, plus organizes Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Read the origin story and current roster: Veterans Memorial Committee. If your idea of a good Saturday includes a flag detail and a program script, they’d like to hear from you.
Lower Farmington River & Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee (Alternates)
Nine towns, NPS, DEEP and local watershed groups collaborate to protect the free-flowing character and “outstanding resource values.” Mission and goals: LFSWS About. Farmington alternates wanted—bring your wetlands map, not your kayak (at least for meetings).
Plainville Area Cable Television Advisory Council (PACTAC)
Monthly meetings at Nutmeg TV. Advises the cable provider on rates, programming and PEG access. If you’ve ever said “why isn’t that meeting on TV,” here’s where you go fix it. Description: Plainville Boards & Commissions — PACTAC (scroll to the council listing).
Community & Social Services — Volunteer Roles
Help with Food Pantry operations, holiday and back-to-school programs, outreach calls and senior check-ins. Program overview: Social Services — Mental Health page. Yes, confidentiality is a thing; training provided.
Where to begin (and who to bother)
The town keeps a live “who needs people” list here: Employment & Volunteer Openings. For most volunteer boards, you’ll go through the Town Clerk’s office (860-675-2380). For paid roles, use the linked applications above and follow the contact on the posting.
Sponsor Corner (satire with storage)
This civic shopping spree is brought to you by Farmington Storage—the only place in town where you can store your old meeting binders, golf shoes, turnout-gear gym bag, and that “just in case I get appointed” blazer. Find them at 155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT. Call 860.777.4001. Ask about the “Committee Chair Special,” in which they store all your boxes and your ego. (Kidding. They only store the boxes. The ego rides shotgun. 😅)
Byline signature
Jack Beckett — fueled by one espresso per committee packet and two for any agenda with “other business.” If you see me at Tunxis with a thermos, I’m working. ☕️
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Assumptions & Omissions
- The town’s employment grid shows $20/hr for Part-Time Fire Fighter; the detailed posting lists $25–$35/hr. The higher range is cited and linked; readers should rely on the detailed posting for accuracy.
- Committee vacancies rotate; readers should confirm current openings with the Town Clerk.
- Justice of the Peace duties are summarized from the manual excerpt and e-code; selection procedures may vary by cycle.
Creative Commons License
© 2025 The Farmington Mercury / Mercury Local
This article, “Farmington Jobs & Volunteer Openings: Firefighter, Golf Starter, and Board Appointments—How to Apply, What to Know,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Farmington Jobs & Volunteer Openings: Firefighter, Golf Starter, and Board Appointments—How to Apply, What to Know”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)