![](media/image1.png){width="0.8194444444444444in"
height="0.9722222222222222in"}Volunteer Opportunities

Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex

4701 N Torrey Pines Dr.

Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301

(702)515-5450

The volunteer program at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex
plays an active and important role in the operation of all the Southern
Nevada Refuges. Projects vary according to the needs of the Refuge and
the interests and abilities of the volunteer. Volunteers are sought who
have an interest in wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors, and
enthusiasm for volunteering their time. Some volunteer jobs are outdoors
and some of them indoors. Some jobs take many hours to complete, others
just a few. Some jobs are constantly working with the public or within
their view, while others are behind the scenes. Yet, all have one thing
in common . . . they are all a vital part of our Refuge.

The Complex is composed of four units: Ash Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge is located about 90 miles west of Las Vegas and was created to
protect over 25 species of animals and plants found nowhere else in the
entire world. Desert National Wildlife Range, located just to the north
of Las Vegas is the largest unit in the National Wildlife Refuge System
outside of Alaska - at 1,588,000 acres it is over twice as big as the
State of Rhode Island. Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is located 93
miles northeast of Las Vegas and is a true desert oasis. Moapa Valley
National Wildlife Refuge is a series of warm springs being developed to
protect an endangered ecosystem east of the city and currently is not
open to the public.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to submit an application and
schedule an interview with the volunteer coordinator. Applicant names
are kept on file until openings become available and assignments can be
made. Before volunteers begin working, they are required to attend an
orientation session and receive any training necessary for their job.

At the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, we have 37 job
descriptions in five major areas. The areas are Public Use, Operations,
Biology, Administration and Friends. The Public Use area covers Guest
Services/Outreach (GSO), Education (EDU) and Publications (PUB).
Operations includes but is not limited to the day to day operations that
run the Refuge. Biology includes work with plants, animals and
ecosystems. The last two areas are Administration, including
Administrative duties (ADM) and Information Technology Systems (ITS),
and the Outside Las Vegas Foundation. When filling out the Volunteer
Monthly Time Sheet the abbreviations in parentheses are used.

If you think that you might be interested in volunteering at the Desert
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, we would like to hear from you. Please
make sure to include the name of the jobs that you are interested in on
your application. Please indicate if none of the descriptions match your
needs. We are flexible and may be able to create a position.

**PUBLIC USE**

**•** Guest Services/ Outreach (GSO)

**Visitor Information Desk**

[Duties]{.underline}: Assist refuge staff in welcoming and guiding
visitors. Training will be given on Refuge system history, local
information,etc.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Good communication skills. Ability to work
with a variety of people and independently with a minimum amount of
supervision. Must be at least 16.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: At least two hours must be given at a
time, four hours recommended.

**Public Relations Assistant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Assist in organizing and implementing an outreach
program to inform citizens and political officials of the Refuge.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Some type of previous public-speaking
skills, public relations, or media experience preferred but not
necessary.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: At least 2 hours/month

**Information Attendant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Analysis of weekly visitor numbers; record and
follow up on volunteer inquiries. Answer written and emailed refuge
information requests.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: At least 2 hours/month

**Special Events Assistant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteer will assist with special events
co-sponsored by the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex which may
include but are not limited to: staffing information booths at benefit
concerts, fairs and festivals, International Migratory Bird Day,
National Hunting and Fishing Day, National Wildlife Refuge System
Birthday, etc. Duties may include but are not limited to:
setup/take-down, cleaning crew, assisting with activities, information
attendant.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Ability to work with a variety of people.
Enthusiasm. Communication skills.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Minimum
of four hours per event.

**•** Education (EDU)

**Roving Interpreter**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteers help Refuge visitors learn about the
Refuge resource by informing them of wildlife viewing opportunities and
providing general wildlife and Refuge information. Binoculars and field
guides are provided. Volunteers may be responsible for their own
transportation.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Good communication skills. Ability to work
with a variety of people. Enthusiasm. A background or interest in
conservation, natural history, ecology or biology. A basic knowledge of
plant and animal life commonly observed on the refuge.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: Volunteers commit to training,
orientation and volunteering at least twice/month from
November-February.

**Naturalist/Interpreter**

[Duties]{.underline}: Develop interpretive programs to be presented to
the public. Lead scheduled organized groups or school groups on
interpretive hikes or tours of the Refuge. Interpreters may also give
off-site slide presentations for schools or special interest groups.
Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.
Intro/Orientation to the Refuge and an Environmental Educational Methods
training will be provided.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Good communication skills. Ability to work
with a variety of people. A background or interest in conservation,
natural history, ecology or biology.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Variable. On-site school groups may take
an average of 6 hours. Off-site slide presentations/programs may range
from 1-4 hours depending on complexity and will involve preparatory and
set-up/take-down work.

**Media Resources Manager**

[Duties]{.underline}: Oversee the acquisition, registration and
management of Refuge media including books, video and audio tapes, and
various publications.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Good organizational skills. Ability to work
with a minimum amount of supervision.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Scheduled as needed.

**Storyteller**

[Duties]{.underline}: Develop, write, read, or recite historical or
cultural stories relating to the Refuge for the visiting public, school
groups, or special events.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Story-telling experience preferred, but
some training could be provided.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Variable

**•** Design & Planning (D&P)

**Artist/Photographer**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteer may provide original art work,
photographs or slides of wildlife, plants, landscapes, visitor
activities or special events for use in Refuge brochures, flyers,
publications, interpretive signs or special programs. They may also give
programs on their area of art expertise, such as a wetlands photography
hike.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: The volunteer should have good artistic or
photographic ability, responsibility to carry a project to completion
once initiated and ability to work independently.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: Projects will be coordinated with Refuge
staff on an as-needed basis.

**•** Publications (PUB)

**Newsletter Publisher/Writer**

[Duties]{.underline}: Assist Outdoor Recreation Planner in a quarterly
newsletter updating people on Refuge events.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Knowledge of computer and/or article
writing skills.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: minimum 2 hours/month

**ADMINISTRATIVE**

• Administration (ADM)

**Receptionist/Clerical Assistant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteer will assist as a receptionist at the
Refuge office greeting visitors and answering the phone and/or be
involved in light clerical duties such as mailings, filing,
photocopying, responding to leaflet requests, light typing, light office
cleaning, and other clerical duties as needed. Schedule will be
coordinated to match time available by the volunteer with specific needs
at the Refuge such as high visitation periods or special projects.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Ability to work with a minimum amount of
supervision.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Volunteer will be scheduled on a regular
basis or as-needed.

**Administrative Associate**

[Duties:]{.underline} Volunteer will distribute incoming mail, type and
distribute refuge support group minutes, handle group mailings, make
phone calls.

[Prerequisites:]{.underline} Ability to work independently. Good phone
and organizational skills.

[Time commitment:]{.underline} Monday-Friday, as needed.

• Information Technology (ITS)

**Data Entry Assistant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Assist in cataloging research information, public
use numbers and volunteer hours. Tabulate and organize statistical
information. Update volunteer address and school group database.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: The volunteer should have good
organizational skills and understanding of Microsoft Excel and similar
computer programs.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: \~2 hours/week

**Web Site Administrator**

[Duties]{.underline}: Update the
[[http://desertcomplex.fws.gov]{.underline}](http://desertcomplex.fws.gov/)
site monthly. Check (and repair if necessary) both internet and external
links on the web site monthly. Archive/backup web site.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: General computer expertise; fundamental
HTML coding and Web Site construction experience.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: approximately 6 hours/month.

**OPERATIONS**

• Botany (BOT)

**Refuge Steward**

[Duties]{.underline}: To assist with reconstruction and restoration
efforts. May include: Planting and cutting trees , surveying and
monitoring species, gathering/cleaning/preparing samples.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: no special skills needed, willingness to
work on a variety of projects

[Time commitment]{.underline}: Varies with season and stewardship
activity, 3-4 hours once a month for as long as there are things that
need to be done

**Heavy Equipment Operator**

[Duties]{.underline}: Help maintenance crew with planting, maintaining
roads, springs, etc.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Experience operating tractors, mower, seed
drill, combine and other large machinery related to planting and
harvesting desired.

[Training]{.underline}: Maintenance mechanic will certify that volunteer
can operate equipment. Must have safety training.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: At least 8 hours/per week.

**Groundskeeper**

[Duties]{.underline}**:** Pick up trash on trails, in parking areas,
around buildings, near restrooms, etc.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Ability to work independently.

[Training]{.underline}: Orientation and any training managers feel is
necessary to perform duties safely.

[Time commitment]{.underline}: 8 hours/week

**•** Maintenance (MAI)

**Maintenance Assistant**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteer will be assigned light maintenance tasks
primarily at the refuge shop which may include sign repair, vehicle
washing/waxing, sweeping floors, trash removal, painting and carpentry
depending on the skills of the volunteer. Volunteers may also be
involved in field projects such as sign installation, kiosk staining or
small construction or rehabilitation projects.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Ability to work with a minimum amount of
supervision. Responsibility to carry a project to completion once
initiated. Good physical condition.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: Volunteer will be called on an as-needed
basis.

**Adopt-A-Trail/Road**

[Duties]{.underline}: Volunteers are responsible for walking or driving
their assigned trail/road once a month to pick up litter, check signs
and do minor maintenance of designated public use area. Volunteers also
check the parking areas for litter and vandalism. After each visit, the
volunteer reports to refuge staff the status of the area and any unusual
situations. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to
the sites unless a Refuge vehicle is available for use. The refuge will
provide trash bags and make arrangements for trash disposal. Volunteers
are asked to dress appropriately for outdoor work and be appropriately
prepared for weather conditions.

[Prerequisites]{.underline}: Ability to work independently with a
minimum amount of supervision. Good physical condition.

[Time Commitment]{.underline}: At least once a month but may be subject
to change.