RV Volunteers

Volunteers play a vital role in the maintenance and visitor services programs at the refuge. Volunteers will work primarily on-site providing visitors with information about the refuge and its resources. Volunteers directly affect the quality and success of refuge operations; visitors’ safety, comfort, and enjoyment; and the public’s understanding and image of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Opportunity for a RV Volunteer Couple to work in our Maintenance, Visitor Services, and/or Environmental Education Programs for March, April, and May 2023

Maintenance Volunteer: The refuge seeks a general maintenance volunteer who will assist with upkeep of refuge facilities and equipment. Ideal candidates should have experience operating power tools and maintenance equipment. Volunteers will be relied upon to help with mowing, maintaining trails, and general upkeep of public use facilities which includes cleaning restrooms. Additional duties may vary depending on individual interest, skills, and talents.

Visitor Services Volunteer:  Visitor Services duties include staffing the visitor center, conducting tours and educational programs, providing interpretive services such as working special events, restocking brochures, cleaning the interior and exterior of public areas including restroom facilities, and some office work. Additional duties may vary depending on individual interest, skills, and talents.

Environmental Education Volunteer: Environmental Education (EE) Volunteers help to prepare the refuge for spring field trip season by inventorying program supplies. Once field trip season begins, these volunteers can teach or assist with teaching hands on lessons to students grades 3-5 on the refuge and help with set up and clean up for each field trip. Our EE lessons are designed for volunteers who are not experienced teachers and we offer a comprehensive training to prepare volunteers for success each year.

Training is provided to teach volunteers refuge rules and regulations, defensive driving training, environmental education training (if applicable), and how to operate required equipment. Volunteers who are flexible and have positive attitudes typically have excellent experiences working in the maintenance and visitor services programs. Volunteers must have the ability to work effectively with people of various perspectives and have patience and tact with visitors.

Housing: An RV pad with electrical, water, and sewer is provided in exchange for 24 hours/week of service. Laundry facilities provided on site. WiFi is not available at the RV sites, but previous RV volunteers have been successful using their own WiFi hotspots.

Local Information: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge headquarters is located 5 miles west of Lago Vista, Texas situated near several Hill Country communities where local restaurants, shopping, and fun are only a 20-30 minute drive from your RV site. We are located 45 minutes northwest from Austin, the live music capital of the world.

A minimum of 3 months is preferred and longer commitments (up to 6 months) will be considered. Flexible on start and end dates.

Housing Details:

Covered and uncovered RV sites are available with full hookups for couples and individuals that can give 24 hours each per week. Use of on-site laundry and gym is available. WiFi is not available at the RV sites, but previous RV volunteers have been successful using their own WiFi hotspots.