Mow Crew

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ00000LWw4n

ADDRESS: 33100 Tamiami Trail East  Ochopee, Florida, 34141

DATES: 2026-05-04

DEPT: National Park Service

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Time Commitment:

May-October (Minimum of 4-week commitment for volunteers who require housing)
Individual volunteer that need housing are asked to contribute 32-hrs per week. Housing may be available at Big Cypress National Preserve.
For volunteer opportunities ranging from 8-hrs per week, no housing is available.

Major Duties:

Volunteers work with the Facilities and Maintenance Division. The Maintenance Division is responsible for ensuring that the buildings and grounds in Big Cypress are maintained.

Volunteers will work with park rangers and preserve staff to help mow various areas within the Preserve. Volunteers will use a zero-turn mower and weed trimmer to maintain campgrounds, public spaces, and day-use areas. Opportunities to work in the visitor center for part of the 32-hour weekly commitment, may be available.

A normal workday will be from 7-3:30, four days out of the week.

Requirements: Each volunteer works a minimum of 32 hours each week. Typically, these hours will be fulfilled by working four, 8-hour days. We ask that volunteers be flexible, as the days assigned may change from week to week depending on needs. The workdays will be between Monday and Friday.

Must have own personal vehicle. The duty station to report to is the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center. Volunteer-interns must have a valid driver’s license and will drive a government vehicle.

In your application, please note what dates you would be available to volunteer for. We will only consider applications for those available May – October. This position will not extend past October.

Qualifications:

Must have enthusiasm!!! Must enjoy working with people of all ages and have a passion for the environment. Knowledge of small motors, general maintenance equipment, good communication skills, flexibility, ability to work well as a team member, are things that the Big Cypress Interpretation team values highly.

Compensation:

Free housing (RV site, full hookups) is offered as well as free laundry facilities, pool and weight room.

Area:

Big Cypress can provide a free RV site with full hookups to the Volunteers. BICY’s housing policy does not discriminate and accepts all individual not matter of their sexual orientation or accessibility needs. Housing accommodations are located within the preserve.

The volunteer will be able to drive to their duty station less than a mile away but will need to drive ~26 miles to get into Naples for groceries, restaurants, libraries, several gas stations, and other businesses. Everglades City which is only a 15-minute drive away provides smaller stores for more immediate needs.

Within a 30 to 60-minute drive from the volunteer’s residence, the volunteer will find many hiking trails and canoe/kayaking opportunities both in the park and outside the park. The area is surrounded by city, county, state, and other federal public lands that provide great opportunities to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.

Tagged as: SUMMER '26