Turnbull NWR Maintenance Assistant (2026)

Spend your days in the unique landscape of the Channeled Scablands at Turnbull 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 & 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 Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes administrative offices, a visitor contact station, and a small bookstore operated by the Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. To learn more about the refuge go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/turnbull.

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 southwest of Spokane, WA. The closest municipality is the town of Cheney, WA, which hosts several grocery stores, a university, and other services. Nearby recreational opportunities include Riverside State Park (40 minutes) and Mount Spokane State Park (1 hour). 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 Coeur d'Alene, ID is next closest major metropolitan area.

RV or motorhome utility hookups for electric, water, and sewage available. No propane.

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:

Joshua Contois

Visitor Services Manager, Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex

joshua_contois@fws.gov

(509) 559-30344