252.245.  Volunteers, liability, expenses — use of state vehicles — definition. — 1.  The department of conservation may recruit, train and utilize the services of volunteers, whose services may supplement the programs administered by the department of conservation.

  2.  Volunteers recruited, trained or utilized by the department of conservation shall comply with applicable rules and policies of the department of conservation.

  3.  The department shall:

  (1)  Provide necessary staff for the management and development of volunteer programs;

  (2)  Develop opportunities for citizen involvement in department-administered programs;

  (3)  Develop and provide to all volunteers written rules governing the job descriptions, recruitment, screening, training, responsibility, use and supervision of volunteers;

  (4)  Educate volunteers regarding their duties and responsibilities;

  (5)  Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offered exceptional service to the department.

  4.  Volunteers or persons functioning within the scope and purpose of the designated authority and specifically authorized by the department director shall be unpaid employees and shall be accorded the protection of the legal expense fund and liability provisions.

  5.  Reimbursement for transportation and other necessary expenses may be furnished to the volunteers whose presence on special assignment is determined to be necessary by the department.  Such expenses shall be reimbursed from the regular appropriations of the department.  Volunteers specifically authorized by the department director may use state vehicles in the performance of department-related functions, subject to the rules and regulations governing the use of state vehicles by paid staff.

  6.  As used in this section, "volunteer" means any person who, of the person's own free will, performs any assigned duties for the department with no monetary or material compensation.

  7.  Any person serving as a volunteer may be terminated from service in such capacity by the director of the department.