Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering at a 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 site is fun and rewarding in many ways. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow.
Volunteers contribute over 20,000 hours to the National Elk Refuge each year and support a variety of divisions at the National Elk Refuge, including administration, maintenance, and visitor services.
The National Elk Refuge has one of the largest volunteer programs within the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Volunteers are essential team members at the National Elk Refuge because they support mission critical work that otherwise might not be completed due to the demands and priorities on the Refuge's limited permanent staff. Working within the Refuge team is a fun, dynamic, and inspiring atmosphere. A wide array of volunteer activities are available for residential and local individuals, as well as groups year-round.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the National Elk Refuge, please contact: Annie Sorrell, Visitor Center Manager & Volunteer Coordinator: annie_sorrell@fws.gov
Our Partners
Outreach
Current Open Positions:
Position: Naturalist
Join the National Elk Refuge Education Team
this winter as a Naturalist. Naturalists lead nature-based programs for K-12 students, conduct wildlife watching driving tours for the public, develop after-school craft-based programs, support Refuge social media, and staff the National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.
This is a full-time, seasonal position. This is not a federal position. Positions are funded through the Grand Teton Association.
Qualifications
-Age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license and ability to drive a 12-passenger van.
-Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, biology, geology, history, or related fields.
-Enthusiasm for educating others about the natural environment.
-Knowledge of interpretation principles, public speaking, and presentation skills and abilities.
-Previous experience leading nature-based programs for school-aged children and/or the general public.
Conditions of Employment
-Season is from November 30, 2026 - April 9, 2027
-Pay is 19.52/hour
-Includes Sick Leave and Paid Time Off
-Housing is provided (private bedroom, shared bathroom and kitchen-pets are not permitted)
How to Apply
Application due date for the 2026-27 winter positions is July 19. Applications must be submitted via email to
kari_cieszkiewicz@fws.gov
To apply, please submit:
-A cover letter
-A detailed resume listing work experience and education. Include names and contact information for current and former supervisors as references (must be at least three).
Please note, all applications will be reviewed in July after the due date. Our education team will reach out to applicants for interviews during the first week of August.
Education Programs
The National Elk Refuge offers free programs for local and visiting groups.
Environmental Education Programs (curriculum-based)
Our curriculum-based programs are focused on wildlife and life sciences. Programs are offered either onsite on the National Elk Refuge or at schools within Teton, Lincoln, & Sublette Counties in Wyoming or in Teton County in Idaho. Visit the Next Generation Science Partners website for a list of curriculum-based programming. To schedule a program, please email kari_cieszkiewicz@fws.gov
Youth Programs
The education team at the National Elk Refuge offers a variety of activity-based programs for local or visiting youth groups. These programs are designed for nature camps, after-school groups, and youth-focused community events. For more information or to schedule a program, please email kari_cieszkiewicz@fws.gov
Adult Programs
The education team at the National Elk Refuge offers programming geared towards adult-learner groups, such as Road Scholar. For more information or to schedule a program, please email kari_cieszkiewicz@fws.gov
All programs are free of charge. Please schedule your program two weeks in advance.