Sponsored School(s)
Sometimes a job aligns so perfectly with a person’s hobbies, interests and natural disposition that it’s really hard to believe it’s a job at all. A lot of game wardens live that dream. Days can pass that are so sweet they can’t believe they’re getting paid. The same goes for other members of conservation teams working with state agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - forestry technicians, fisheries biologists, and environmental scientists.
But there’s also risk, moments of frustration, anxiety and fear when wardens have to put themselves in situations few would volunteer for; when a wildfire won’t be tamed, threatening homes and property even beyond the protected wilderness area, or when a cougar threatens to attack a group of hikers and a snap decision needs to be made about tranquilizing and transporting the animal or putting it down.
This is the very thing that makes experience such a fundamental component of qualifying for these jobs. Sometimes experience is an unequivocal requirement, sometimes it can substitute for holding a degree, but in every case employers see it as extremely valuable. This is why experience is often the deciding factor when selecting a candidate from a huge pool of well-qualified applicants all competing for a limited number of jobs.
Most state departments of natural resources or fish and wildlife divisions, and definitely the USFWS, look for candidates who have months if not years of related experience. While not everybody can claim to have a professional background in law enforcement or wildlife management, everybody can gain some very valuable experience serving the same agency they hope to spend their career with.
Through student internships, volunteerism or entry-level seasonal jobs, the people aspiring to one day become game wardens gain the experience they need to get there. These kinds of experience opportunities offer a chance for people to get their hands dirty performing tasks in the same environment game wardens work in every day:
- Wildlife population surveys involving insects, fish, reptiles, birds, marine mammals and more
- Fire lookout and forestry management
- Lifeguarding – a great way to pick up first aid skills and water safety experience
- Fisheries, fish breeding, and marine environments
- Boating and water safety courses
- Staffing wildlife and interpretation centers
- Environmental protection, cleanup, habitat maintenance and the identification and removal of invasive plants
Volunteer Opportunities – Every state DNR or wildlife department offers opportunities for the general public to get involved and volunteer. You can choose from a variety of projects to work on and gain hundreds if not thousands of hours of relevant volunteer experience.
By volunteering in programs that are sponsored by your state's natural resources department you gain solid references that can go a long way when you start applying for game warden positions.
Volunteering can also be a lot of fun, and you get to work with like-minded people who value the importance of the work being done.
Internships – Most state fish and game agencies offer internships for students already enrolled in a college or university program majoring in wildlife management, environmental science, biological science and more. Some also offer internships for recent college graduates, high school seniors, and even the general public.
Internships are often paid, but many times they are not. The money is never the reason for interning; the main purpose is to develop practical skills in your field through a mentored boots-on-the-ground approach.
If you've made it through a game warden internship, that proves to any prospective employer that you've got the grit and the dedication for the job. They're not going to have to worry about you breaking down during the training academy because you’ve already proven yourself more than most other green recruits.
The length of an internship can vary anywhere from several weeks to months or even years. A lot depends on the requirements of your degree program.
Seasonal Jobs – Like volunteering, seasonal employment is a great way to gain some general experience with the employer you hope to spend your career working for, and an opportunity to get your name and social security number on file with the payroll department. Seasonal jobs provide a great opportunity to get to know the team you hope to work with, and for them to get to know you.
A lot of seasonal jobs are entry-level and manual in nature; trail building and maintenance, fire suppression, facilities maintenance, and general labor tasks. However there are also plenty of seasonal opportunities to work as a wildlife biology assistant in fish hatcheries or conducting wildlife population surveys.
Find Pre-Professional Experience Opportunities in Your State
This state-by-state guide makes it easy to browse opportunities for volunteering, interning and seasonal employment in your area. Whether you’re looking to work with a state agency or on federally protected lands under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you’ll find the pre-professional experience opportunities you need to become a strong candidate.
Alabama
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships
- Alabama A&M University's Forestry, Ecology, and Wildlife Program
- Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
- University of Alabama's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- University of Alabama's Department of Biological Sciences
- University of West Alabama's dual degree in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Wildlife Track
Seasonal Employment – You can apply for seasonal positions through the Alabama Personnel Department, including:
- Forest fire lookout
- Parks worker
- Resort worker
- Life guard
- Laborer
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Alabama that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
- Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
- Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
- Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
- Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
- Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
- Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
- Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
- Alabama Ecological Services Field Office in Daphne
Alaska
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Internship Program
- College Intern I with the Fish and Game Department in Juneau
- College Intern II with the Fish and Game Department in Glennallen
Seasonal Employment – You can find seasonal jobs posted on the Alaska Job Center Network and Workplace Alaska:
- Fish and Wildlife Technician II
- Fish and Wildlife Technician III
- Fishery Biologist I
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Alaska that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
- Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
- Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
- Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
- Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
- Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
- Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
- Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
- Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
- Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
- Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
- Innoko National Wildlife Refuge
- Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge
- Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
- Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
Arizona
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Volunteer Opportunities
- Wildlife Center in Phoenix
- Education programs: hunting, sport fishing, and boater education
- Clean up projects and habitat restoration
- Safety instruction and grounds keeping at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix
College Summer Internships
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Internship Program
- Desert tortoise telemetry
- GPS data acquisition
- Electro fishing and gill netting
- Creel census
- Lake stream surveys
Seasonal Employment – You can find seasonal positions with the Arizona Game and Fish Department posted on the state's job website.
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Arizona that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
- Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
- Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
- Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
- Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
- Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
- Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
- Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
- San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Volunteer Opportunities
- Arkansas Stream Team Program
- Wildlife rehabilitation
- Hunter education instruction
- Boater education instruction
- Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Reserve
- Black Bass Program
College Internships
Seasonal Employment – You can find seasonal and full time positions with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's job opportunities website.
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Arkansas that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
- Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
- Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
- Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
- Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
- Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
- Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge
- Overflow National Wildlife Refuge
California
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Natural Resource Volunteer Program – NRVP Application
- Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
- Volunteer opporutunities listing on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's website
College Internships
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Internship/Fellowship Program
- UC Davis' Conservation Management Program
Seasonal Employment
- Fish and Wildlife scientific aid for wildlife branch region, north central region, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, habitat conservation planning branch, central region, fisheries branch, and bay delta region
- Fish and wildlife clerk for northern central region, southwest region
- Complete list of seasonal jobs on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in California that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge
- Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
- Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
- Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
- Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
- Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
- Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
- San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Farallon National Wildlife Refuge
- Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- Stone Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge
- Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge
- Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
- Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
- Kern National Wildlife Refuge
- Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
- Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
- San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
- Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
- Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Rifle Falls Hatchery
- Hot Sulfur Springs
- Raptor Monitoring Citizen Science Program
- Dan Noble Reservoir
- Mount Shavano Hatchery
- The Colorado Parks and Wildlife online volunteer project database has over 200 projects to choose from
Internships
- Cheyenne Mountain
- Stagecoach State Park
- North Sterling State Park
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife Internship website
Seasonal Employment
- Cheyenne Mountain temporary jobs
- Fish hatchery technician
- Lone Mesa temporary jobs
- Statewide seasonal jobs include interpretive naturalist, lifeguard, campground attendant, maintenance worker, boat assistant, and swim beach entrance attendant
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Colorado that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
- Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
- Baca National Wildlife Refuge
- Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
- Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
- Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge
- Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Volunteer Opportunities
- Environmental education at the James L. Goodwin Conservation Center
- Environmental education at the Osborne Homestead Museum
- Boating safety courses – located at facilities statewide
- Park maintenance and litter removal
- Fisheries aquatics resource education
- Volunteer Angler Survey Program
- Forest Interior Bird Survey
- Woodland Raptor Survey
- Woodland Raptor Nest Monitoring
- Chimney Swift Watch
- Wild Turkey Brood Survey
- Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Full list of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection volunteer programs
College Internships – These are available through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's internship website in areas such as the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Conservation air-land-water
- Conservation enforcement
- Environmental education
- Environmental studies
- Fisheries management
- Forestry management
- Geographic Info Systems (GIS)
- Land use and planning
- Laws and regulations
- Wildlife management
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal maintainer with state parks public outreach
- Seasonal horticulturist
- Resource assistant with the boating division
- Boating education assistant
- Marine and inland fisheries seasonal work
- Wildlife Division seasonal work
- State parks lifeguard program
- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection maintains a list of current seasonal employment opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Connecticut that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Delaware
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Adopt a Wetland
- Aquatic Resources Education Center
- Boating Education
- Citizen Osprey Monitoring Program
- Delaware Bat Program
- Delaware Shorebird Project
- DuPont Nature Center
- Delaware Hunter Education Program
- Piping Plover Program
- Take a Kid Fishing Program
- Wildlife Areas
Internships
- Environmental summer camp internships
- Environmental education internships
- Field environmental stewardship research internships
- Outdoor skills internships
- Program management and research internships
- See a full list of fish and wildlife internships
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal marina custodian
- Seasonal trail groundsman
- Seasonal range officer
- Seasonal ocean lifeguard
- Seasonal park patrol officer
- You can find seasonal jobs on the state's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Delaware that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
District of Columbia – Washington DC
Department of Energy and Environment
Volunteer Opportunities
- Natural resources
- Fisheries and wildlife
- Watershed protection
- Toxic substances
- Water quality
- Stormwater manager
- Find a complete list of volunteer opportunities, and an application, on the Department of Energy and Environment's Green Pathways Volunteer website
College Internships – These are available for graduate students in the following areas:
- Environmental services
- Natural resources
- Water quality
- Lead and healthy homes
- Air quality
- See a full list of college internships on the Department of Energy and Environment's Green Pathways Fellows website
Seasonal Employment – Summer jobs at the Department of Energy and Environment are available in the following areas:
- Team leader
- Site manager
- Ward manager
- Assistant field and ward manager
- See a full list of summer season employment opportunities on the Department of Energy and Environment's Green Pathways Summer Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP)
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Volunteer Opportunities
- Chinsegut Conservation Center
- Florida Bass Conservation Center
- Quality Assurance and Control Bear Management Program
- Marine Stock Enhancement Research
- Highlands Lakes Volunteer Program
- Derelict Trap and Trap Debris Removal Program
- Hunter safety
- Reserve Officer Program
- Full list of FFWCC volunteer programs
College Internships
- Fish and wildlife research institute internships
- FWC law enforcement internships
- Florida Black Bear Internship Program
- Gopher Tortoise Conservation Internship Program
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Florida that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
- Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
- Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
- Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge
- Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
- Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
- Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
- Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- National Key Deer Refuge
- Key West National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
- Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
- Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
- Saint Johns National Wildlife Refuge
- Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
- Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Georgia
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities – Check with these regional education centers for any current volunteer opportunities:
- Arrowhead Environmental Education Center
- Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center
- Go Fish Education Center
- Grand Bay Wetland Education Center
- McDuffie Environmental Education Center
- Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center
- See all volunteer options on the DNR's volunteer website
Internships
- The DNS maintains a list of current internships which are usually seasonal
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal fire crews
- The DNR maintains a list of all seasonal and full-time employment opportunities on its careers webpage
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Georgia that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
- Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
- Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge
- Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Pahole Natural Area Reserve
- Kawainui Marsh
- Kaala Natural Area Reserve
- Adopt an area volunteer program
- The DLNR maintains a full list of volunteer opportunities on its website
Internships – Hawaii's DLNR offers internships through several partner organizations:
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal and full-time jobs are listed on the DLNR's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Hawaii that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
- Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge
- James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
- Kakahai'a National Wildlife Refuge
- Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
- Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
- Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Idaho
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Volunteer Opportunities – Available throughout Idaho at these locations:
- Panhandle region
- Clearwater region
- Southwest region
- Magic Valley region
- Southeast region
- Upper Snake region
- Salmon region
- MK Nature Center
- Idaho master naturalist volunteer
- Hunter education volunteer instructor
- The Department of Fish and Game maintains a full list of volunteer opportunities on its website
Internships – Wildlife diversity internships may be available at sites throughout the state, including:
Seasonal Employment
- Recreation site laborer
- General laborer
- Fisheries research data technician
- You can find a full list of currently available jobs through the state's jobs website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Idaho that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Camas National Wildlife Refuge
- Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
- Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
- Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
Illinois
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Natural heritage
- Nature Preserves Commission Program
- Safety education
- Wildlife
- Wingshooting Program
- You can find a full list of volunteer opportunities on the DNR's volunteer webpage
College Internships – The DNR works with any college that wants to develop an internship program, and allows college students to gain academic credit while working with any of these opportunities:
- Volunteer network program divisions
- Volunteer sites
- Volunteer districts
Seasonal Employment
- You can find a full list of seasonal and full-time DNR jobs on the state's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Illinois that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
- Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
- Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
- Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge
- Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
- Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
- Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Indiana
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience – basic fishing
- Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience – flying wild bird watching
- Cleanup at public access sites along the state's waterways
- Summer bat roost monitoring project
- See a full list of volunteer opportunities on the DNR's volunteer webpage
College Internships – You can apply for an internship in any of the following areas by filling out an application:
- Property management – roles of regulatory agencies in management
- Interpretation – interpretive and administrative techniques, interpretive resources, environmental education, and ecology
- Natural resources planning and management – inventories of plants and wildlife, habitat improvement plans, prescribed burns, and invasive species removal
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal lifeguard
- Seasonal naturalist aide
- Seasonal naturalist
- Seasonal resource management technician
- Seasonal tour guide
- All seasonal and full-time jobs are posted on the state's jobs website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Indiana that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
- Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
- Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
Iowa
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Fishing Friday and Gray's Lake Park
- Educational programming and outdoor skills at Springbrook State Park
- Swan releases at state parks and marshes
- Group cleanup work and plantings in state forests
- Fishing instruction at lakes throughout the state
- See all current volunteer opportunities on the DNR's volunteer webpage
College Internships – The DNR manages Iowa's Pollution Prevention (P2) Intern Program that includes projects like:
- Water conservation
- Water and waste water treatment
- Process improvements
- Solid and hazardous waste reduction
Seasonal Employment
- Park trail maintenance
- Park patrols
- Park mowing and trimming work
- Americorps trail crew
- The DNR maintains a full list of seasonal and full-time positions on its employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Iowa that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
- Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
- Iowa Wetland Management District
- Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
- Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
- Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Kansas
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Volunteer Opportunities
- Cabin host at El Dorado State Park
- Work host at Eisenhower State Park
- Camp host at Kanopolis State Park
- The KDWPT maintains a list of all current volunteer opportunities
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal boatholder at Perry Lake
- Seasonal fisheries biologist technician
- Seasonal position at Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area
- Seasonal position at Woodson Wildlife Area
- Seasonal position at Milford Wildlife Area
- Seasonal position at Fall River Wildlife Area
- The KDWPT maintains a list of all current seasonal and full-time jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Kansas that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
- Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge
- Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
- Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Conservation education
- Interpretive programs
- Special events and activities
- Temporary exhibits
- Plants, trails, and projects
- Trail maintenance
- Planting and weeding
- Check out the DFWR's volunteer program website for more information
High School and College Internships – Internships through the DFWR are offered at the Salato Wildlife Education Center to students studying the following subjects:
- Wildlife biology
- Wildlife management
- Horticulture
- Education
- Public relations
- Other related fields
Seasonal Employment
- Interim fish and wildlife technician
- Interim conservation camp counselor
- For a full list of seasonal and full-time jobs see the DFWR's career webpage
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Kentucky that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Volunteer Opportunities
- Volunteer instructors – teach subjects including hunting education, fishing education, outdoor skills education
- Aquatic volunteer instructor program
- Conservation volunteer program – assist LDWF staff with educational events, fishing, event registration, photography, arts, crafts, and foods
College Internships – The LDWF coordinates with other agencies to offer the following internships:
- CDC Graduate Environmental Health Program
- Environmental Health Research Experience Program
- Check out the LDWF's internship website for a full list of current internships
Seasonal Employment
- You can find a full list of seasonal and full-time positions on the state's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Louisiana that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge
- Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
- Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge
- Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge
- Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
- Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
- Breton National Wildlife Refuge
- Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
- Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
- D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge
- Delta National Wildlife Refuge
- Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge
- Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge
- Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex
- Red River National Wildlife Refuge
- Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
- Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
- Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
Maine
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Tour guides
- Gardeners
- Landscapers
- Wildlife transporters
- Animal talk presenters
- All volunteer opportunities are posted on the IF&W's online volunteer section
College Internships – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife works with colleges such as the University of Maine at Farmington to coordinate student internships
Seasonal Employment
- You can find all seasonal and full-time jobs listed on the IF&W's career website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Maine that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
- Carlton Pond Waterfowl Protection Area
- Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
- Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
- Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Maryland
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Natural resources police
- Fisheries
- Wildlife and heritage service
- State parks and programs
- Stream monitoring and aquatic resources
- Tawes Garden
- Tree planting
Internships – The DNR partners with different organizations to offer internships such as:
- National Resources Police Cadet Program
- Planet Connection student grants for an internship in wildlife conservation
- Internship at Sandy Point State Park
- Maryland Geological Survey
Seasonal Employment – Dozens of seasonal positions are available at the following locations:
- Point Lookout State Park
- Gunpowder Falls State Park
- Rocky Gap State Park
- Seasonal lifeguard – 45 state parks
- Seasonal technician with the Fish and Wildlife Health Program
- A list of current available jobs can be found on the state's careers website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Maryland that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Department of Fish and game (DF&G)
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships – Check with the DCR or the DF&G about internship opportunities; past internships have involved:
- Water conservation standards
- Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Seasonal Employment
- Fire fighter
- Forestry assistant
- Park interpreter
- Laborer
- Lifeguard
- See a full list of available seasonal positions on the DCR's seasonal jobs website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Massachusetts that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
- Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge
- Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
- Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
- Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
- Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
- Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge
Michigan
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground – equestrian volunteer work
- Waterloo Recreation Area – stewardship work
- Algonac State Park – stewardship work
- Island Lake Recreation Area – stewardship work
- Highland Recreation Area – stewardship work
- Pinckney Recreation Area – stewardship work
- Michigan History Center
- See a complete list of current volunteer opportunities on the DNR's volunteer calander
College Internships – These are available to current college students and recent graduates; you can find opportunities detailed on the DNR's student internship webpage
Seasonal Employment
- Lab assistant with the natural resources laboratory
- Assistant with planning and natural resources development
- A full list of seasonal and full-time employment is available on the state's jobs webpage and the DNR's seasonal positions webpage
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Michigan that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
- Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Huron National Wildlife Refuge
- Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area
- Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Monarch butterfly project
- Roving naturalist project
- Trail monitor project
- Loon survey
- Lake level monitoring project
- Zebra muscle monitoring project
- Safety instructors
- Natural history documentary record project
- For a full list of volunteer opportunities see the DNR's volunteer webpage
College Internships
- Conservation officer internship
- Buildings and grounds worker
- Forestry GIS intern
- Interpreter naturalist
- Watercraft inspector
- The DNR provides links to its full list of 200 summer internships on its internships webpage
Seasonal Employment
- Forest fire responder
- Natural resources worker
- Interpreter naturalist
- Groundskeeper
- Agric technician
- Roadside maintenance snow and ice driver
- You can find a full listing of seasonal and full-time positions on the state's careers website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Minnesota that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
- Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
- Big Stone Wetland Management District
- Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Fergus Falls Wetland Management District
- Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
- Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District
- Morris Wetland Management District
- Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
- Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Rydell National Wildlife Refuge
- Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
- Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge
- Tamarac Wetland Management District
- Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
- Windom Wetland Management District
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships – The MDWFP offers summer internships for students in several areas, including the following:
- Law enforcement
- Wildlife resources management
- Fisheries resource management
- License and boating registration
- Hunting and boating education
Seasonal Employment
- See the state's personnel website for seasonal and full-time jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Mississippi that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge
- Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge
- Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Hillside National Wildlife Refuge
- Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge
- Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge
- Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
- Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
- Saint Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge
- Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge
- Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation
Volunteer Opportunities
- Conservation nature centers
- Interpretive sites
- Outdoor education and shooting ranges
- Hunter education
- Fishing education
College Internships – The Missouri Department of Conservation provides student internships each year; past internships have been in areas like:
- Assistant wildlife ecologist
- Cave biologist
- Aquatic education specialist
- Invasive species
- Naturalist
- Prairie and savannah restoration
- Wetland resources
- Fisheries management
Seasonal Employment
- Resource assistant
- Wildlife resource assistant
- Fisheries research assistant
- Deer program assistant
- Prairie reconstruction assistant
- Watershed assessment field crew member
- See the Department of Conservation's employment website for a complete list of seasonal and full-time jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Missouri that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
- Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
- Great River National Wildlife Refuge
- Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
- Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
- Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge
- Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge
- Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
- Wolf program
- Wildlife center rehabilitation
- Hunter education instructors
- Fishing instructors
- Check stations
- State parks – naturalists, special project assistants, and visitor center attendants
College Summer Internships
- Video unit internship
- Parks PR internship
- Fishing access site recreation internship
- Beaverhead and Ruby Watersheds internship
- Conservation education internship
- Park management internship
- Fish culturalist internship
- Full list of internships
Seasonal Employment
- Aquatic and invasive species inspection and decontamination
- Invasive species laboratory technicians
- Full list of current seasonal and full-time positions with FWP
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Montana that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
- Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
- Bowdoin Wetlands Management District
- Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
- Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
- Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge
- Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge
- Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
- Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
- Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Nine-Pipe National Wildlife Refuge
- Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
- Swan River National Wildlife Refuge
- UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge
- War Horse National Wildlife Refuge
Nebraska
Nebraska Game and Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
- Hunter education instructor
- Youth fishing instructor
- Campground host
- Parks volunteer
- See the Game and Park's volunteer webpage for a full listing
Seasonal Employment
- Temporary facility maintenance technician
- Temporary conservation technician
- Temporary naturalist/park worker
- Temporary facility maintenance
- Temporary groundskeeper
- See the Game and Park's current job openings webpage for a full list
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Nebraska that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
- Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
- North Platte National Wildlife Refuge
- Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
- Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Nevada
Nevada Department of Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
High School Seniors and College Student Internships – The Department of Wildlife provides internships to sponsor students who want to pursue a career in wildlife management
Seasonal Employment
- A full list of seasonal and full-time jobs through the Department of Wildlife is provided on its employment webpage
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Nevada that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Desert National Wildlife Range
- Fallon National Wildlife Refuge
- Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
- Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
- Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Volunteer Opportunities
- Winter turkey flock monitoring
- Piping plover monitoring
- Counting bats
- Rainbow smelt research project
- Striped bass angler survey
- Fish and wildlife stewards program
- Trapper education
- See the Fish and Game Department's volunteer webpage for a full listing
College Internships – The Fish and Game Department partners with schools to offer students a chance to serve as interns; for example White Mountains Community College has a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program that partners with the Fish and Game Department
Seasonal Employment
- See the Fish and Game's employment website for a complete list of seasonal and full-time jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in New Hampshire that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- John Hay National Wildlife Refuge
- Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
- Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
- Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Wildlife research
- Fishing education
- Operation of turkey, beaver, and otter check stations
- Seasonal trout stocking programs
- Hunting training range upkeep
- Activities with the endangered and nongame species program
- See the Division of Fish and Wildlife's volunteering webpage for a full list of opportunities
Internships
- Sedge Island Environmental Education Internship
- See the Division of Fish and Wildlife's internship section online for current opportunities
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal fisheries technician
- Seasonal wildlife workers
- See the Division of Fish and Wildlife's seasonal and full-time employment website for current opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in New Jersey that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
- Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Volunteer Opportunities
- Aquatic resources
- Archery in schools
- Conservation education
- Hunter education
- OHV safety program
- Shooting program
Seasonal Employment
- Check the NMDGF's employment webpage for a full listing of seasonal and full-time positions
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in New Mexico that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
- Grulla National Wildlife Refuge
- Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
- Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
- Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge
- Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
- Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Statewide lake assessment program
- Stewardship agreement program
- Wildlife rehabilitation program
- New York relief program
- Friends of five rivers
- Reinstein Woods program
- Full list of volunteer opporutnities
College Internships
- Environmental conservation officer
- GIS data specialist
- Outdoor recreation promotion
- Air quality measurements
- Catskill biodiversity
- Climate change intern
- Entomology
- Freshwater fisheries
- More information on the DEC's internship webpage
Seasonal Employment
- Conservation security worker
- Fish and wildlife technician
- Laboratory technician
- Fish culturist
- Lifeguard
- Environmental educator
- Forestry assistant
- Complete list of available DEC jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in New York that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge
- Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
- Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
- Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
- Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
- Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
- Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Volunteer Opportunities
- Statewide amphibian survey
- Breeding bird surveys
- Reptile and amphibian population tracking
- Sea turtle projects
- Coastal waterbird projects
- Bat population monitoring
- Wildlife education centers
- Hunter education instructors
- Wildlife diversity programs
- Full list of volunteer opportunities
College Internships
- Wildlife law enforcement field intern
- Box turtle project
- Aquatic species monitoring
- Wildlife educator
- Habitat management
- Aquatic conservation
- Full list of available internships
Seasonal Employment
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in North Carolina that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
- Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
- Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
- Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge
- Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
- Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
- Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
- Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge
North Dakota
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Volunteer Opportunities
Seasonal Employment
- Wildlife aide
- Fisheries aide
- Waterfowl banding technician
- Full list of seasonal and full-time jobs
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in North Dakota that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
- Arrowwood Wetlands Management District
- Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
- Audubon Wetland Management District
- Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Chase Lake Wetland Management District
- Crosby Wetland Management District
- Dakota Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Management Area
- Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
- Devils Lake Wetland Management District
- Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
- J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District
- Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge
- Kulm Wetlands Management District
- Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Nettie National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge
- Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Long Lake Wetland Management District
- Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
- Lostwood Wetland Management District
- McLean National Wildlife Refuge
- Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Slade National Wildlife Refuge
- Stewart Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge
- Tewaukon Wetland Management District
- Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
- Valley City Wetland Management District
- White Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Ohio
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Naturalist volunteer program
- North American breeding bird survey
- Frog and toad calling survey
- Breeding bird atlas
- Bowhunter survey
- Spider survey
College and Non-College Internships
- Wildlife research
- Lifeguards
- Water resources
- Zoology
- GIS mapping
- Geologic investigations
- More information at the internship section of the ODNR's employment webpage
Seasonal Employment
- Coastal wetland natural resources specialist
- Conservation worker
- Natural resource worker
- Full list of seasonal employment opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Ohio that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
- West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Volunteer Opportunities
- Oklahoma nest box trails project
- Hunter education instructor
- Fishing education instructor
- Bird population surveys
- Wildlife habitat promotion
College Internships – Students and college grads can apply for an internship with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation if they are majoring in any of the following:
- Wildlife conservation science
- Wildlife ecology education
- Biology communications
- Zoology
- Other related majors
Seasonal Employment
- Seasonal positions are listed with full-time positions on the Department of Wildlife Conservation's careers webpage when they become available
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Oklahoma that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
- Little River National Wildlife Refuge
- Optima National Wildlife Refuge
- Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge
- Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
- Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
- Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge
- Washita National Wildlife Refuge
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Oregon
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Regional wildlife projects – habitat improvement, nest building, and wildlife surveys
- Salmon and trout enhancement programs
- Volunteer host program
- Hunter education program
- Angler education program
- Outdoor skills education program
College Internships – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife works with colleges such as the following to develop academic internship programs:
Seasonal Employment
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Oregon that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
- Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
- Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
- Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge
- Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge
- Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
- Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
- Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
- Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
- Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
- McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge
- Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
- Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
- Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Volunteer Opportunities
- Appalachian bat count
- Howard Nursery
- Heron colony observation survey
- Marsh birds survey
- Sandhill crane survey
- Pennsylvania mammal atlas
- Youth programs
College Internships – The Game Commission works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to offer internships to students with academic foci such as the following:
- Biology
- Earth science
- Agronomy
- Ecology
- Environmental engineering
- Soils science
- Geology
- Microbiology
- Communications
- Public relations
Seasonal Employment
- You can find a list of seasonal and full-time jobs with the state's online employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Pennsylvania that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Erie National Wildlife Refuge
- John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Fish and Wildlife Division
Volunteer Opportunities – There are several volunteer teaching opportunities through the Fish and Wildlife Division, including:
- Spincast and flyfishing
- Educator workshops for Project Wild, Project Wild Aquatic, and Project WET
- Freshwater and marine ecology
- Aquaculture
College Internships – Students can coordinate their research with the DEM if they are studying subjects such as the following:
- Freshwater fisheries
- Wildlife conservation
- Biology fieldwork
- Laboratory work
- Work involving live or dead animals
- Fish hatcheries
- Environmental education
- Wildlife monitoring
- Full list of statewide internships (student research)
Seasonal Employment
- Wildlife recovery seasonal assistant
- Seasonal surf beach manager
- Seasonal non-surf beach manager
- Naturalist coordinator
- Survey coordinator
- Lifeguard
- Laborer
- Full list of statewide seasonal positions
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Rhode Island that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
- John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
- Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
- Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Birds
- Mammals
- Insects
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Freshwater fish
- Marine species
- Habitat enhancements
- Citizen science projects
College Internships – The DNR works with colleges and universities throughout the state to hire interns for the summer who work in areas such as:
- Wildlife biologists
- Wildlife technicians
- Controlled burns
- Invasive plant control
- Habitat management
- Surveys of bird, bat, and bear populations
- Boundary line marking
Seasonal Employment
- You can find a list of all seasonal and full-time jobs on the state's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in South Carolina that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
- Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
- Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basic National Wildlife Refuge
- Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Santee National Wildlife Refuge
- Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
- Tybee National Wildlife Refuge
- Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
South Dakota
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
- Hunting program
- State parks – law enforcement, fire lookout, herdsman/corrals, resource management, programs/events, and special projects
- Hunter safety program
- Outdoor education campus – east and west
College Internships – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks offers internships in the following areas:
- Law enforcement
- Park management
- Wildlife and fisheries management
- GIS and private lands management
- Habitat management
- Park planning and development
- Outdoor education
- Engineering
- Social media and marketing
Seasonal Employment
- Law enforcement
- Wildlife fisheries technician
- Wildlife habitat technician
- Wildlife game technician
- Ground maintenance
- Full list of seasonal opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in South Dakota that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Huron Wetland Management District
- Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge
- Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
- Madison Wetland Management District
- Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
- Waubay Wetland Management District
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Volunteer Opportunities
- Hunter education instructors
- Amphibian monitoring program
- Trapper education
- Stream cleaning
- Habitat protection
College Internships – TWRA offers internships as funding and resources are available; in the past internships related to subjects like:
- Wildlife surveys
- Fisheries and hatcheries
- Forestry
- Wildlife management
- Stream surveys
- Deer thermal imaging surveys
Seasonal Employment
- A current list of seasonal and full-time employment opportunities is on the state's careers website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Tennessee that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
- Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
- Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
- Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
- Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
- Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Volunteer Opportunities
- Boating education
- Conservation education
- Texas freshwater fisheries center
- Sea Center Texas
- Angler education
- Archery
- Hunter education
- Citizen science and wildlife
College Internships – TPWD offers internships to currently enrolled college students in these fields:
- Law enforcement
- Wildlife
- Communications
- Coastal fisheries
- Inland fisheries
- Infrastructure
- State parks
- Human resources
- IT
- Executive office
Seasonal Employment
- Maintenance assistant
- Lifeguard
- Clerk
- Custodian
- Full list of seasonal positions
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Texas that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
- Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
- Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
- Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
- Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
- Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
- Neches River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
- Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
- Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
Utah
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources works with schools to provide internships to students studying subjects like:
- Wildlife biology
- Wildlife management
- Visitor center management
- Program development
- Wildlife education
- Wildlife population surveys
Seasonal Employment
- Wildlife technician
- Fire technician
- Groundskeeper
- Forestry technician
- Maintenance worker
- Geological technician
- Dispatcher
- Find a full list of seasonal and full-time jobs online
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Utah that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Vermont
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Department
Volunteer Opportunities
College Internships – The ANR partners with colleges to offer experience to currently enrolled students in an internship, offering programs like:
- Wildlife management
- Wetland evaluation
- Wetland assessment and monitoring
- Wildlife surveys
- Wildlife research
Seasonal Employment
- Green Mountain Conservation Camp, summer camp positions
- You can find additional information about seasonal and full-time jobs on the state's employment website
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Vermont that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Virginia
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Volunteer Opportunities
- Complementary work force program
- Hunter education volunteer instructors
- Boating safety education volunteer instructors
- Virginia master naturalist program
- Trout stocking
- Wildlife damage inspections
- Exhibit staffing
College Internships – The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries works with colleges to offer students internships that prepare them for work in fields like:
- Law enforcement
- Fisheries management
- Wildlife biology
- Public education
- Public outreach
- Marketing and information technology
Seasonal Employment
- You can search the full list of seasonal and full-time jobs online
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Virginia that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
- Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
- Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
- Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
- Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- James River National Wildlife Refuge
- Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge
- Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge
Washington
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities
- Saint Helens land access program
- Ecological integrity monitoring
- Herding, hazing, fence repair, and fence construction
- Regional fishery enhancement groups
- Marine resource committees
- Find a full list of volunteer projects online, which include wildlife area cleaning, habitat improvement, marine mammal stranding patrols, and fish hatcher work
College Internships – WDFW periodically offers internships to provide students with job training in a field related to wildlife; check with WDFW for current offerings
Seasonal Employment
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Washington that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
- Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Copalis National Wildlife Refuge
- Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
- Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
- Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
- Hanford Reach National Monument
- Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
- Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
- Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
- McNary National Wildlife Refuge
- Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
- Protected Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
- Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
- San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
- Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
- Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
West Virginia
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Bird counts
- Master naturalist program
- Exotic/invasive species
- Ecological communities
- Rare, threatened, and endangered species
- Landscaping for wildlife
Seasonal Employment
- List of all seasonal and full-time employment opportunities online
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in West Virginia that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
- Citizen-based monitoring opporutnities – includes bird, breeding, frog, toad, turtle, deer, carnivore, bat, mussels, insects, plants, lakes, and invasive species monitoring
- Volunteer instructor – covers topics including ATVs, hunting, snowmobiling, and boating
- List of current volunteer opportunities
Internships – The DNR has internships geared towards on-the-job education for a career in fields like:
- Wildlife technician
- Environmental educator
- Facilities operations
- Grounds operations
- Fishing
- Wildlife management
- Conservation
- Natural resources management
Seasonal Employment
- Parks and recreation specialist
- Forestry technician
- Hydrogeologist
- Conservation biologist
- Environmental program association
- Laborer
- Full list of seasonal positions
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Wisconsin that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
- Fox River National Wildlife Refuge
- Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
- Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
- Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
- Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
- Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Wyoming
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Volunteer Opportunities
- Whisky Mountain conservation camp
- Sage grouse
- Mule deer initiative
- Community outreach activities
- Hunter education
College Internships – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department partners with schools to provide learning experiences for students interested in related fields; check with the department for any available internships
Seasonal Employment
- Fisheries technician
- Non-game biologists
- Elk chronic wasting disease technician
- Research technician
- Full listing of seasonal opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities On Federal Lands in Wyoming that Fall Within the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
