Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: 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 a variety of volunteer opportunities, including staffing the visitor center and assisting in education programs. 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.
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.
For information about volunteering, please reach out to Visitor Services Manager Sarah Toner, sarah_toner@fws.gov.
Resident Volunteers
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
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Summer Internship
The refuge’s intern program provides unique experiences for college students and graduates geared towards careers in the environmental sciences. This internship is an opportunity to work & gain experience in many aspects of national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge operations on the 112,000 acre Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
This internship consists of a mixture of projects including biological and hydrological monitoring, educational programming and community outreach, and refuge maintenance. Biological work could include amphibian, mammal, and pollinator surveying, conducting community science projects, and habitat monitoring. Hydrologic monitoring includes clearing, monitoring, and measuring water control structures to record water levels within a habitat management unit. Educational programming assignments include leading/assisting with interpretive black bear tours on the refuge, Red Wolf programs at the Red Wolf Center, wildlife programs, and restocking brochures across the refuge. Work assignments with refuge maintenance could include mowing, trimming, trail work, sign maintenance, light carpentry, and trash collection and pickup. Interns have the opportunity to work with and learn from wildlife biologists and wildland firefighters. There are also additional opportunities to visit and work at other refuges and fish hatcheries in the area.
The internship runs from May 18th through August 7th, 2026. Interns will be expected to commit for the full 12 weeks. In your application, please state your dates of availability if different from the internship dates. Extended periods of leave during the internship term may not be granted.
Interns typically work 40 hour weeks. Weekend work will be required; however, interns are guaranteed two days off a week.
Interns will work independently or with refuge staff or volunteers. Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a remote/rural site, but interns can stay in a bunk house with moderately fast internet and a full kitchen.
All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and have maintained it for at least one year. A refuge vehicle will be provided for work duties. A personal vehicle is required for transport from housing to the refuge office.
To Apply
Summer 2026 applications have closed. Applications were accepted until January 6, 2026.
Internships are volunteer positions. Housing and a living allowance are provided. The living allowance consists of $200 per week (paid biweekly) and an additional $1200 paid upon completion of the full 12 weeks of the internship.
To apply, mail a resume, contact information for three references, and a cover letter indicating your specific interests and dates available to Sarah Toner, sarah_toner@fws.gov. In your application, indicate your specific interests and describe your background and experience relating to the following:
- Wildlife identification and surveys
- Outdoor field work
- Public interpretive programs and presentations
- Communication with a range of audiences
- Navigating outdoors and orienteering
- Canoeing
- Operation of ATVs & UTVs
- Maintenance (trail and other)
- Using hand tools, power tools, and riding mowers
Make sure to provide your dates of availability!
