Volunteer

Volunteer teaching visitors how to cast-net

National Park Service

 

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has many exciting volunteer opportunities!

NPS Photo

Join our team! Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) are Very Important People! Explore, learn, and share your time and talent while helping us protect this special place! From assisting with lighthouse climbs, to serving as campground hosts, to helping with the sea turtle nesting program... and everything in between, the work our volunteers do makes a difference!

Volunteering is an American tradition that has made immeasurable contributions to communities, organizations, and individuals throughout the country. Every year, thousands of individuals contribute their enthusiasm and skills to help the National Park Service preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources and to serve and educate visitors.

Individuals, families, and organized groups are welcome to volunteer. Opportunities are available both for highly skilled professionals and for beginners with little or no experience in land management. The time commitment for volunteer work varies from one-day projects to continuous work extending over months. Drop-in events are also held throughout the year to celebrate special events or Days of Service such as National Public Lands Day in September.

Below you can view the Seashore’s current volunteer opportunities.

Still have questions? Browse our frequently asked questions below or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 252-475-0685.

Adpot a Beach Program

Launched in 2023, the Adopt a Beach Program recruits local organizatons and groups to adopt sections of the seashore for routine litter cleanup and conidition monitoring.

 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

Volunteers at the seashore help educate visitors of all ages about the significance of its natural and cultural resources.

NPS Photo

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I sign up to be a volunteer?
First, review the available volunteer positions listed above. If you find a position that interests you, you can select it to explore the full position description on www.volunteer.gov. There, you will find an "apply now" button for that position. Please apply to any position that you're interested in, available for, and have the proper qualifications for. Please be as thorough as possible on your application with regards to your experience and qualifications. Keep in mind that some of our volunteer opportunities are competitive. Please provide two references with your application.

How do I find out what is available?
All current openings are listed above and on www.volunteer.gov. Please read the information for each volunteer opportunity, determine which position(s) you are interested in, and then fill out the application. It is best to select volunteer positions for which you not only have an interest, but also those that match your skills and experiences. Some of our positions are recruited for more than five months prior to their start date. For example, we begin recruiting for the spring/summer in November, so it's extremely beneficial to start looking and applying early.

What happens with my application after it is complete?
After completing the application, Volunteer.gov will send an email to the person responsible for supervising the volunteer position to let him/her know an application has been submitted. The supervisor is responsible for selecting volunteers for that specific position. Some supervisors will interview for the volunteer opportunities much like a job, and most will request to speak with references, so please provide two references when applying. For some volunteer positions, a background check is required.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 29 seconds

Listen to our park volunteers talk about why they volunteer