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Jumping aboard President Barack Obama’s call to civil service, Mayor Mike Bloomberg has created “NYC Service,” a new City program designed to match New Yorker’s talents and time with non-profits in need of help.

“We’re coming from the belief that New Yorkers want to serve,” said Diahann Billings-Buford, who fills the new-formed position of Chief Service Officer. “We want to be seen as the forerunner that heard our President’s call.”

The program is mainly conducted via the City’s Web site, nyc.gov. Buford said the City has put a priority to areas of service, giving credence to those most needed.

They include the very broad headings of strengthening communities, helping neighbors, education, the environment, health and emergency preparedness.

The City held focus groups with nonprofit organizations and did a series of surveys, hoping to find the best way to help.

The result is a synergistic campaign with AmeriCorps VISTA program to form the NYC Civic Corps, a group of 200 individuals helping nonprofits use volunteers efficiently. There is also “Go Pass” Volunteer Screening, which streamlines the background check process involved in recruiting volunteers.

From neighborhood watch programs to rooftop refinishing, NYC Service aims to offer a little sliver of volunteerism for every City resident with a talent. One survey sighted by Buford showed 17 percent of New Yorkers willing to volunteer did not know where they can go.

Our borough itself has had several agencies enlist in the program. A list showed several food pantries, disabled services centers and children’s program being listed with NYC Service.

“It’s been a huge help,” said Matt Wright, Assistant Project Coordinator for the “I Have A Dream” program in Ravenswood.

The group has seen the biggest benefit for its Saturday tutoring program. Wright said about six or seven volunteers come through NYC Service, which allows one-on-one work. Best of all, there is minimal work needed on the Program’s end.

“We didn’t have to do much. I believe that I found the website and registered as an organization,” Wright said.

The hardest part, according to Buford, may be changing the perception of volunteerism. For now, it remains a privilege to those who can afford the time, but not a central part of being a New Yorker.

“That’s the main question we’ve been tackling, how to promote service as a core part of our identity as New Yorkers,” Buford said. “If we don’t have this goal, a lot of work we have done is in vain.”

For more information on how to volunteer, visit nyc.gov/service or call 311.