Pahranagat NWR Visitor Center Host 2026-27

Come volunteer at a waterfowl oasis in Nevada! Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is looking for Visitor Center hosts for the 2026-27 season. We are seeking couples or singles for the following time slots: September-November 2026, December 2026-February 2027, and March-May 2027.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is located in Alamo, Nevada, a 90-minute drive north of Las Vegas. It was established in 1963 to conserve important habitat for migratory birds. There have been 262 bird species recorded within the refuge. Some species might stop by for as little as a few hours before continuing on their migration route, while others stay all season, and still others are permanent residents. There is always something new to see here! It is a great location for wildlife observation and photography. 

To learn more about the refuge go to www.fws.gov/refuge/pahranagat or watch our 15-minute long film about the refuge https://vimeo.com/87545027.

Why spend some time at the Refuge? Pahranagat is an oasis in the Mojave Desert with year-round water, leaves that change color in the fall, and hundreds of species of birds that flock through during their migrations. It is a haven for hiking, biking, boating, hunting, and fishing. As a volunteer you can be part of a small, friendly Refuge team helping to staff our visitor center and provide visitor services throughout the refuge. The refuge has a small staff of about 5 people, supplemented with 5-10 volunteers depending on the time of year. The nearby town of Alamo (10-minute drive) has churches, pharmacy, gas station, small grocery store, gym, post office, salon, and library. Refuge staff and volunteers can participate in potlucks, game nights, and pickleball, and the refuge has a small workout room with treadmill, elliptical, and weight machines. Wi-fi, laundry machines, and a shower are available at the refuge headquarters. Package delivery is available at the refuge.

As the resident host, you would provide orientation and interpretation to refuge visitors, answering questions in person and over the phone. You would cover topics regarding the refuge, local natural and cultural resources, safety precautions, rules and regulations, recreational opportunities, and area services. You would also assist staff with operations and maintenance of facilities, including cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash containers, ensuring refuge is free of litter and other more complex maintenance and visitor facility projects within your abilities. If you are interested, there are also possibilities to conduct structured programs for refuge visitors or assist with the refuge’s bird banding program.

Your own RV or motor home is required. We provide an RV site with utility hook-ups for electric, water, and sewage. Propane is also provided. The commitment requires 24-32 hours/week of volunteering per resident. Exact start and end dates are negotiable but commitments are 3 months minimum. We are looking for couples or singles for September-November 2026, December 2026-February 2027, and March-May 2027.

When applying, please provide resumes and contact information for three professional references. If applying as couple, please provide both applicant names.