Desert NWR - Refuge Volunteer

Spend your days in the beautiful Mojave Desert of Desert National Wildlife Refuge! Join us this upcoming season as a 3-month Refuge Volunteer. Open time slots are Sept-Nov. 2026, Dec. 2026-Feb. 2027, and March-May 2027. These positions come with RV sites with full hookups, Wi-Fi, and laundry.

Refuge Volunteers support the biology, maintenance, and visitor services programs at the Refuge. This is a great opportunity for a single or couple interested in tackling a variety of projects both indoors and outside and includes a mix of working with people and solo projects. The position is based out of the Corn Creek Visitor Center, which has a wonderful exhibit hall, small store and classrooms, plus modern administrative facilities. It provides access to an accessible front-country trail system and has excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. To learn more about the refuge go to www.fws.gov/refuge/desert. There is also a film about the refuge (https://vimeo.com/86424950).

The position will support the Visitor Center, providing orientation and interpretation to refuge visitors. You would cover topics regarding the refuge, local natural and cultural resources, safety precautions, rules and regulations, recreational opportunities, and area services. You may also be asked to help with special events or programs both on- and off-site.

You would also assist with range of maintenance and biology tasks and projects, including maintenance of facilities (cleaning, trash and litter collection, minor facility repairs, and typical landscaping tasks) and habitat restoration projects (invasive species removal, native plant panting and care, irrigation and watering), and other more complex maintenance and biology projects within your abilities.

Schedule is typically 4 days on and 3 days off. Day-to-day schedule varies. Couples will work the same days, but may not have the same daily schedule.

Location of refuge is about 30 minutes north of Las Vegas, NV. Nearby recreation includes 20 minutes to Mt. Charleston (Spring Mountains NRA), and 60 minutes to Lake Mead NRA. Grand Canyon (North & South Rim), Zion, Bryce Canyon and Death Valley National Parks are all less than a half day's drive.

RV or motor home utility hook-ups for electric, water, and sewage available. No propane. Hosting requires 24-32 hours/person a week per resident. Exact start and end dates negotiable.

When applying please provide contact information for three references. Two references should be professional. If applying as couple please provide both applicant names.