Ways to Get Involved
We're excited you want to be part of our team!
Scroll down to find information about: Employment Opportunities, Volunteer Opportunities, and the Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Group.
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Employment Opportunities
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex has a variety of seasonal employment opportunities on all of our refuges. From wildland firefighting to working with visitors and school groups, there are a variety of work experiences at the Complex. Position availability may vary annually with changes in staffing and funding.
We are not currently hiring any positions. Please check back later.
Volunteering
Volunteer Opportunities
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex welcomes volunteers in a variety of areas and on all of our refuges. Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old (with parental permission). See below for information of the different types of volunteer opportunities, and how to apply. All volunteers will be interviewed and screened to find the right fit for the refuge and the volunteer. Field work opportunities for small groups/organizations may be available. Position availability may vary annually with changes in staffing and funding.
How do I become a volunteer?
1. Review the "What kinds of work can Volunteers do?" section below.
2. If you have questions about volunteering at Sacramento NWRC, contact Visitor Services staff for more information at sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov or (530) 934-2801
3. Download and fill out a Volunteer Service Application.
NOTE: This application is generic across the Department of the Interior. Not all categories (see Question # 9) are available when volunteering at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex - review "What kinds of work can Volunteers do?" below for better context for our Complex.
4. Submit your application via email to sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov with the subject line: Volunteer Application.
As of August 22, 2024, you can also apply directly on volunteer.gov:
- We are seeking local (within 50 miles of the complex) volunteers who are excited about the opportunities to connect with the public out on the refuges and at our new Visitor Center.
- Ideally, we're looking for folks who can commit to regular/consistent volunteering - that could be fulfilling a shift (2-4 hours, depending on what they're doing and where they are on the complex) once a week, once every two weeks, or multiple times a week/month. One of our biggest priorities is recruiting folks to staff the information desk at the Visitor Center (based at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge), but that's just one of many Visitor Services opportunities across the complex.
What kinds of work can Volunteers do?
Visitor Services/Interpretation volunteer work can include:
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
| Information Desk | Year-round | Welcome visitors, provide orientation for wildlife viewing and help answer phones in the Visitor Center |
| Interpreter | October-March | Provide interpretation for visitors on Auto Tours and Observation Decks |
| Environmental Education | October-March | Assist with education and interpretive programs for school groups, families, and adults |
| Outreach | Year-round | Assist with special events including festivals and fairs |
| Hunt Program Support | August-February | Maintain hunting facilities, clean and/or install signs, clean and maintain hunting blinds and islands, help answer and respond to hunting-specific phone calls. |
| Kiosk Maintenance | Year-round | Clean and restock kiosks and brochure racks |
| Bird Feeders | Year-round | Clean and restock feeders at the Visitor Center (Sacramento NWR) |
| Native Plant Garden | Year-round | Weed, water and replant garden at Visitor Center (Sacramento NWR) |
| Photography | Year-round | Photograph wildlife and habitat on the refuges for use on the Complex website and social media (NOTE: photography equipment is not provided) |
Field/Maintenance volunteer work can include:
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
| Facilities Maintenance | Year-round | Maintain facilities around the buildings, parking lots and trails by weed-eating, painting, grounds-keeping and doing small construction tasks |
| Vehicle/Heavy Equipment Maintenance | Year-round | |
| Heavy Equipment Operation | April-October | Mow, spray, and disk to maintain refuge habitats (NOTE: This requires special training/certification) |
Biology volunteer work can include:
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
| Wood Duck Nest Boxes | January-February, March-August | Clean and prepare wood duck boxes in January-February; monitor for nest productivity every 2-4 weeks from March-August; repair and replace boxes after nesting season. |
Other Opportunities to Volunteer:
- Assist with office duties
- Maintain trails and plant trees
- Assist with bird banding, plant studies, and airboat surveys (intermittent opportunities)
- What unique interests, skills, and talents do you have to offer?
Housing for Interns and Winter Residential Volunteers
The Complex sometimes has space in the bunkhouse or RV pads (must work at least 3-4 months depending on the position). There is limited housing available fall/winter for internships and winter residential volunteers. RV pads have water, electric, and propane. We do not have sewage but cover the cost to get trailers dumped once per week. The bunkhouse has laundry, a double kitchen, wireless internet, and restrooms available for all residents.
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Our Partners
Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
The Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge was formed in early 2020 by a group of individuals passionate about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex who recognize the importance of the Complex to the region as well as the ongoing need for additional resources. Their mission is to work in partnership with the Sacramento National Wildlife Complex and the public to maintain and expand wildlife observation, education and all forms of recreational opportunities to a broader audience in this important asset of the Central Valley of Northern California.
Find out more about how you can help on their website (www.friendsofsnwr.org), or check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.