Become a Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in becoming a National Park Service volunteer! We encourage you to view the following resources to learn more about how you can contribute to your public lands.

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

1. Visit Volunteer.gov
View current volunteer opportunities by location or activity with the National Park Service and five other federal agencies. Search by a specific site, state, or activity, or just browse to see current opportunities.

2. Visit the Volunteer Webpage for a Specific National Park Service Site
If you’d like to volunteer at a specific location or are not sure how you can help, consider visiting the volunteer page for a specific National Park Service site. Find a site by state and then on the navigation bar for the site, click Get Involved and then Volunteer (see image below). Many sites provide information about volunteer opportunities within that site including positions, special programs, and events. Note that not all sites have a volunteer webpage.

3. Learn more about Special Volunteer Programs
The National Park Service manages a number of special programs focused on particular topics, audiences, and activities. Learn more about special programs like citizen science and Trails & Rails to find an activity that aligns with your passions and interests.

4. Participate in a Volunteer Event
Volunteer events include single and multiple-day opportunities. Some national events occur on the same day at multiple National Park sites, while others take place at a specific site. Events are a great way to try out volunteering and new activities.

A screenshot of the location of the Volunteer page within the navigation on a National Park Service site's page.

Become a Volunteer

Once you’ve identified a volunteer opportunity that is right for you, there are a few steps to complete to officially become a volunteer with the National Park Service.

1. Apply to a Current Volunteer Opportunity
Complete the application for a specific opportunity in Volunteer.gov. If it is not possible to apply through Volunteer.gov, the hosting unit or program may provide a copy of the Volunteer Service Application (OF301). The application is also available in Mandarin and Spanish.

2. Confirm Your Volunteer Position
A supervisor will provide you with confirmation of your volunteer position. You will likely have a conversation with your supervisor to discuss duties, responsibilities, duration, and schedule.

3. Complete Required Volunteer Paperwork
Your supervisor will provide you with a document that must be signed by you and your supervisor prior to your start date. The Volunteer Service Agreement (OF301A/B) serves as your official agreement for volunteer service with the National Park Service. View agreement forms for individuals and groups in English, Mandarin, and Spanish. You will also be provided a copy of your position or service description, which will outline your duties and responsibilities. Your supervisor may request additional optional information at this time.

4. Complete Onboarding Process
The process for onboarding as a new volunteer varies with each National Park Service site. Check with your supervisor about onboarding tasks including training and receiving a uniform, keys, or other property. We encourage you to visit the Volunteer Resources webpage to learn about the free Volunteer Pass, annual volunteer award, and the National Park Service Volunteer Program manual.

5. Report Your Contributions
Share your volunteer contributions by reporting to your supervisor. You will be asked to report your hours and your supervisor may ask for other information such as activities and accomplishments.

Duration:

1 minute, 50 seconds

Share a little time and make a big difference for national parks through the National Park Service's Volunteers-In-Parks program.