Visitor Center Host - Summer/Fall 2027

The refuge is seeking experienced volunteer couples who have demonstrated experience helping with Visitor Center operations on national wildlife refuges or similar federal public lands sites. Ideal candidates have strong interpersonal skills, work well with other volunteers and refuge staff, can adapt to change and new SOPs without difficulty, are able to work independently, and are able to provide excellent customer service.

Front Desk Volunteers are the first faces that greet visitors as people arrive to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Volunteers provide quality customer service by providing orientation, information, and informal interpretation to visitors. This is done by answering visitor questions via incoming phone calls and in-person visitor questions at the front desk. Volunteers help visitors understand refuge recreational opportunities, refuge regulations, refuge navigation, seasonal area/road closures, and how to appropriately view wildlife. During certain times of year there can be a high volume of questions related to injured/abandoned wildlife, hunting regulations, and detailed bird-related questions that require a precise/accurate answer, referral to a refuge staff member, or a referral to another organization. In addition to these duties, volunteers play the refuge orientation film for visitors, sell America the Beautiful Public Lands passes, sell Federal Duck Stamps, and handle sales for the Nature Store operated by the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association. In the absence of refuge rangers, volunteers may also be responsible for opening and closing the Visitor Center, Observation Building, Photo Blind, and opening/closing the entrance gates to the Visitor Center. While the position is primarily focused on Visitor Center operations, there may be some opportunity for light maintenance projects, including helping with emptying the trash can at the Flint Creek Day Use Area. Front Desk Volunteers work closely with refuge rangers and may be asked to help with other tasks as needs arise.

An RV pad will be provided to volunteers with water, electric, and sewer hookups. A volunteer "clubhouse" is also available to refuge RV volunteers that includes washers/dryers, a full bathroom, a kitchen, and a small living room.

Federal background checks are required for all incoming volunteers and a very specific defensive driving course is required for the operation of any government vehicles.