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Flexible Schedule
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Virtual Opportunity
Duties/Experience: Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is seeking 1-2 residential RV volunteers to focus primarily in our maintenance program- assisting with facilities management, repairs, heavy equipment operation, maintaining vehicles, assisting with habitat management, trail maintenance, and landscaping. The volunteer(s) will work at the direction of the acting refuge manager, deputy refuge manager and maintenance program staff. Experience in related maintenance fields is preferred. Certifications to operate heavy equipment are also preferred. Couples are encouraged to apply. If one member of a couple does not have maintenance experience/certifications, volunteer duties assisting with visitor services, biology, or administration programs can be assigned. Volunteers must work a minimum of 24 hours per week to qualify for housing. Location: Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is tucked behind an industrial zone in Albuquerque’s South Valley, occupying 570 acres of what was once a large-scale alfalfa farm right along the Rio Grande. This refuge is a long-term ecological restoration project, and as a flagship Urban National Wildlife Refuge, also a center for community programs and activities for local families focused on conservation education. The site has several miles of public trails, a beautiful visitor center, multiple constructed wetland habitats, grassland meadows, and restored riparian forest. The refuge is located adjacent to the Rio Grande Bosque State Park, which protects a strip of wildland riparian forest that sprawls north-to-south throughout the city of Albuquerque. The refuge is uniquely located right next to New Mexico’s largest city, and resident volunteers will have convenient access to world-renowned cuisine, cultural events, shopping, hospitals, and all the comforts of a major city- not to mention access to the region’s expansive nearby public lands to explore including national parks, historic sites and Wilderness areas. Volunteers must have a camper or RV and will have the refuge’s small camp area to themselves with electric and water hookups. Interested volunteers are encouraged to reach out to the volunteer coordinator dakota_dominguez@fws.gov Start Date - 2025-04-28 End Date - 2025-11-21
Date Posted: Apr 10, 2025
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Flexible Schedule
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Austwell, TX 77950
RV Biology/Natural Resources Volunteer DUTIES: The volunteer will assist refuge staff with a variety of tasks which may include but are not limited to the following: Assisting with the feral hog trapping program. Biological surveys (waterbird ID skills required). Invasive plant management (spraying of herbicide required). Various habitat management tasks (heavy equipment and/or UTV training may be required). Represent the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) by wearing a volunteer uniform. QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS: Ability to clearly understand the purpose of the refuge and its wildlife management programs as well as the National Wildlife Refuge System. Interest and/or background in working on wildlife management type projects, waterbird ID skills, pesticide application experience, heavy equipment and operation experience. Takes initiative to complete duties with diligence and excellence. Willingness to complete training to meet the skill and knowledge level needed for a specific assignment. Good physical condition and ability to work in warm temperatures, sun and among biting insects and poisonous plants. Walking on uneven ground, lifting, bending, using ladders, etc. Ability to work sagely utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Ability to work as part of a small team or independently depending on assignment. Ability to take direction and be open to receiving feedback to improve and ensure safe operations. Ability to present a positive image to the public as you will come in contact with visitors. SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT: Volunteers are expected to volunteer 3 days/24 hours per week. This position operates primarily during standard weekday business hours. We request a minimum 3 -month commitment ACCOMIDATIONS: Full hook-up RV spot provided (includes water and electric). Must be able to provide own lodging (RV, 5th wheel, travel trailer). Access to volunteer facility. Amenities include bathrooms, showers laundry, full kitchen, TV, couches, and tables. Wi-Fi provided in volunteer facility. TRAINING: We will provide on-site training. A valid Driver's License and completion of FWS's Defensive Driving Course is REQUIRED for driving government vehicles. Technical and safety training may be required depending on assigned project (Heavy Equipment training - tractor, skid steer, UTV, riding mover, etc.). PLEASE NOTE: Public Wi-Fi is accessible at the volunteer building; however, connection quality may be inconsistent. For optimal performance, we recommend bringing your own Wii-Fi or cell booster. The RV pad sites do not include generators. In the event of a power outage, the refuge does not provide generators. We recommend that you come prepared and bring your own generator. CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information, contact our Acting Supervisory Wildlife Biologist: Allison Griffin (allison_griffin@fws.gov) Start Date - 2026-01-05 End Date - 2026-04-06
Date Posted: May 29, 2025
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Flexible Schedule
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Amargosa Valley, NV 89020
Visitor Center Host needed for Summer 2025. This opportunity comes with free housing or an RV site! Ash Meadows is the Galapagos of the Mojave Desert Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR] is an internationally recognized site for the conservation of 26 endemic plant and animal species that live amongst the 50 springs and seeps in the largest oasis in the hottest, driest desert in the United States. AMNWR is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Its mission is "to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American People." For more information, please check out the following: Official Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows/ Refuge Film: https://vimeo.com/groups/13672/videos/87197860 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshMeadowsNWR/ We are looking for a single volunteer who will enjoy working directly with the public as a Visitor Center Host. Position opens, closes, and staffs the refuge Visitor Center, which has a world-class exhibit hall, small store, classrooms, and modern administrative facilities. It provides access to an accessible front-country trail system with excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. As the resident host, you provide orientation, interpretation, and answer visitor questions at the main information desk. You would also cover topics regarding the refuge, local natural and cultural resources, safety precautions, rules and regulations, recreational opportunities, and area services. You would also assist staff with operations and maintenance of facilities, including cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash containers, ensuring refuge is free of litter and other more complex maintenance and visitor facility projects within your abilities. Schedule is typically 4 days on and 3 days off. Day-to-day schedule varies. Hours requirements are 32 hours/week. Exact start and end dates negotiable. Why Volunteer at Ash Meadows In return, we provide: a small-team environment to learn and grow in; opportunities to explore behind the scenes with refuge staff; and unique landscapes filled with incredible plants and animals. A season at Ash Meadows provides you the opportunity to live and work in one of the most unique areas in the desert southwest. Benefits of volunteering include: Private room in shared housing with all utilities included An annual America the Beautiful pass for all federal lands after 250 volunteer hours Natural history and interpretation training Monthly volunteer enrichment events Work outside with views of wild vistas, wildflowers, and wildlife Live within 2-hours of Death Valley National Park, Red Rock National Recreation Area, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and the Vegas Strip When applying please provide contact information for three references. Two references should be professional. Start Date - 2025-06-15 End Date - 2025-09-01
Date Posted: May 23, 2025
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Flexible Schedule
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San Antonio, NM 87832
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located in central New Mexico along the Rio Grande, an oasis in the desert. Well known for the tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks who winter here each year, the fall months are a time of preparation! While refuge staff conduct the tasks associated with water management and endangered/threatened species conservation, volunteers will assist in communicating this and other refuge work to visitors. Working and living at this station requires the ability to work with, take direction from, and live near people of all ages, backgrounds, and personality types. Positive outlooks and flexibility are key to success at this large and active station. We welcome RV volunteers of all backgrounds to apply! We are seeking individuals and/or couples to serve as ranger naturalists for the August 14 to October 31, 2025, season. All applicants must be available for the entire season; couples will work the same days and may work together in the visitor center and while performing interpretive roving on the refuge. RV pads are the only available housing. The Visitor Center Ranger Naturalist Position requires that you work 24 hours per week, averaging to three or four days per week (eight hours per day for three days or six hours per day for four days) August 14, 2025, through October 31, 2025. Generally, your work schedule will not change from week to week. Your lunch break will be one hour off duty near the midpoint of your shift. Visitor Center Ranger Naturalists work in the Visitor Center: handing out maps, helping orient visitors, answering phones, and opening/closing/light cleaning the visitor center. A refuge staff person will be your point of contact each work day. You may be required to have a federal background investigation completed for this position. If you had a favorably adjudicated federal background investigation completed, please indicate the year and agency on your application. Please list at least two volunteer or professional work references on your application. Start Date - 2025-08-14 End Date - 2025-10-31
Date Posted: Jun 5, 2025
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Flexible Schedule
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Dover, TN 37058
We invite you to come work on one of the hidden jewels of the national wildlife refuge system, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge! Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge is 8,862 acres located within the floodplain of the Cumberland River, also known as Lake Barkley. Established in 1962, this area of land and waters were set aside for the conservation of migratory birds with a special focus on wintering waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans. This beautiful federally protected land is actively managed to create and maintain optimal wildlife habitat, which makes it a very attractive location for a diversity of wildlife species as well as visitors. This refuge is a wonderful location for fishing, kayaking, wildlife observation and photography, as any local would tell you. Despite being a smaller scale refuge, there is no shortage of field work projects or maintenance tasks so if you enjoy hands-on work, consider volunteering with us this season. If you enjoy meeting new people, advocating for conservation and teaching visitors about this unique location, this opportunity might be a great fit for you. Couples and singles are encouraged to apply. In exchange for 24 hours worked per week per person, we provide a covered concrete camper pad located within a gated area of the refuge, all utilities, propane refills, a conveniently located free laundry facility, a work vehicle and any personal protective equipment that may be needed. On your days off, there are many local wonders to explore! Cross Creeks is located near Land Between the Lakes and Fort Donelson National Battlefield, and historic pig iron furnaces dating back to the Civil War era can be found scattered around the area. Start Date - 2025-05-01 End Date - 2025-08-31
Date Posted: Jun 2, 2025
