Volunteering
Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow.
The refuge offers nearly limitless volunteer involvement for the public. Steady, reliable volunteers operate the Visitor Center and offer programs such as weekly bird walks. The sea turtle patrol program provides assistance for the threatened loggerhead and endangered green turtle while educating the public on the habits and habitats of these wildlife species. A work camping program, bartering an RV campsite and utilities in exchange for work hours, enables individuals from all walks of life to enhance the refuge using their individual experiences and expertise. If you can't come to the refuge in person, you might be able to help by being a Volunteer from a Distance. There may be web-related or non-internet related writing projects that need assistance.
The Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, a nonprofit local organization, was established to provide support for continued maintenance of the refuge and its educational programs, and to recruit volunteers for continuation of this process.
Contact Visitor Services Manager Sarah Toner, sarah_toner@fws.gov or 252-473-1131 x40153, to discuss specific opportunities.
Resident Volunteers (RVs)
The Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge locations listed below are seeking Resident Volunteers to assist with visitor services, refuge maintenance, and seasonal operations. The refuges are located from the Atlantic Coast to the Albemarle–Pamlico Peninsula in Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell Counties, NC.
You can expect scenic surroundings with abundant wildlife. These locations offer a peaceful, nature-rich place to stay while contributing to the mission of protecting wildlife and habitat in Eastern Coastal North Carolina. We are grateful for the time and energy our volunteers bring to all of our National Wildlife Refuge locations to support the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Openings
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, East Lake, North Carolina
May 11, 2026 to December 2026
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rodanthe, North Carolina
June 1, 2026 to December, 2026
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia, North Carolina
April 1, 2026 to December 2026
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Hyde County, North Carolina
May 1, 2026 to December 2026
Duties
Resident Volunteers may assist with:
- Visitor center or contact station support
- Light facility or grounds maintenance
- Environmental education and interpretation
- Outreach and public engagement
- Support for biological or wildlife management activities (seasonal)
- Assist in cleaning the visitor center
Housing
Volunteers live in their own recreational vehicle on refuge-provided RV sites. Provided amenities include:
- 30/50 amp electrical hook-up
- Water and sewer hook-up
- Access to laundry facilities
Commitment
- Couples: 24 hours per week (each)
- Singles: 32 hours per week
- Minimum stay: 3 months preferred
- Shorter terms may be negotiated
- Longer terms may be offered based on need and availability
Requirements
- Must provide your own RV
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Willingness to interact with the public when assigned visitor duties
Ability to perform light physical tasks as needed (duties vary by season)
For more information please send your contact details, background, experience and availability to Sarah Toner, sarah_toner@fws.gov.
Internships
Refuges in the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Complex offer a variety of internships. In addition to internships at Alligator River NWR, Pocosin Lakes NWR and Mattamuskeet NWR also offer internship experiences.
Alligator River and Pea Island NWR Internships
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed by staff from Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The internship program covers both refuges. To explore internship opportunities, visit the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Internships page.
