Kootenai NWR Maintenance Assistant (2026)

Facility

Nestled beside the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho, this 2,774 acre refuge provides diverse habitats for a large variety of wildlife.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
Nestled beside the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho, this 2,774 acre refuge provides diverse habitats for a large variety of wildlife. Despite its relatively small size a wide variety of habitat types can be found on the refuge which plays an important role in the large number of wildlife...
National Wildlife Refuge
Bonners Ferry,ID

Location

Address

287 Westside Rd.
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
United States

Date Range
-

Volunteer Position Overview

Volunteers Needed
-
Recruitment Start Date
Recruitment End Date
Days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Training Required
No
Security Clearance Needed
Yes
Virtual
No
Apply Now

About This Position

Spend your days between the river and mountains of the Inland Northwest at Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge!


Volunteers needed for the following 6-month commitments: May - October 2026. Shorter, 3-month commitments (May-July, August-October) are also being considered.


This position assists the maintenance staff with various tasks and projects, including, but not limited to:

  • mowing and weeding
  • fencing repair
  • parking lot maintenance
  • tractor operation (seeding & disking)
  • basic vehicle maintenance
  • grounds keeping
  • trail maintenance
  • road maintenance
  • carpentry


Desired (but not required) qualifications:

  • Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
  • ATV/UTV training
  • Equipment operation training or experience
  • Experience performing basic maintenance tasks
  • Proficiency with hand and power tools
  • Specialized trade experience welcome (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding)


This position is located at the headquarters and administration area within Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes administrative offices and an environmental education center. To learn more about the refuge go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kootenai.


Environmental hazards include inclement weather, wildfire risk, and exposure to ticks.


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. This position requires 24 hours/week per resident. Exact start and end dates negotiable. The ability to identify projects and work independently and/or mostly unsupervised is the most desired skill for this position.


The location of the refuge is about 40 minutes south of the Canadian border in a river valley. The closest municipality is the town of Bonners Ferry, ID, which hosts several grocery stores, a hospital, and other services. Nearby recreational opportunities include Lake Pend Oreille (30 minutes), Kaniksu National Forest (1 hour), and Priest Lake State Park (2 hours). Several other parks, refuges, and public lands exist within a half-day's drive. Many of these locations have opportunities for hiking, water sports, and mountain biking. The city of Sandpoint, ID is next closest major metropolitan area. The city of Spokane, which includes an international airport, is approximately 2 hours away.


RV or motorhome utility hookups for electric, water, and sewage available. Refuge provides WiFi. No propane. No dogs allowed.


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


For questions about this position, please contact:


Shannon Ehlers

Refuge Manager, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

shannon_ehlers@fws.gov

(509) 425-3682

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