Individual Placement – Volunteer Coordinator

The Student Conservation Association seeks a Volunteer Coordinator intern for Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa, ID, from August 2026 to August 2027. The role involves recruiting and training volunteers, managing programs to enhance community engagement in conservation, and collaborating with partners. Candidates should be passionate about nature, with strong communication and organizational skills. Bilingual candidates in Spanish are preferred but not required.
Position Summary

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is recruiting one intern to join the refuge visitor services team. You will join refuge staff, volunteers, and partners making an intentional effort to support local communities to connect with local nature, while also meeting other community priorities. This is a great opportunity to work with a small but growing team to help the refuge become a trusted community asset, reflective of the entire community, that is equitable and collaborative in pursuit of our conservation mission.

Schedule

August 17, 2026 -August 6, 2027 (51 weeks)

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Volunteer Coordinator will work with Refuge staff, volunteers, and partners to improve and expand Refuge volunteer programs, including ensuring that refuge volunteer programs are inclusive and accessible to diverse communities. This intern will:
• Recruit, orient, and train volunteers, communicate with new and existing Refuge volunteers about volunteer opportunities, organize volunteer recognition events, and manage the volunteer database. Current volunteer projects include habitat improvement, wildlife monitoring, environmental education, visitor services, maintenance, and more.
• Collaborate with partners for volunteer recruitment and management.
• Coordinate some individual and group volunteer projects.
• Work with community partners to identify and co-design on- and off-site stewardship activities that address refuge and community priorities.
• Identify barriers that limit access to volunteer engagement and retention, then implement solutions to dismantle those barriers.
• Participate in other refuge visitor services projects, including:
• Helping plan events at the refuge and in the community.
• Conducting community outreach and engagement.
• Engaging with refuge visitors, at the visitor center and elsewhere, to provide a safe and welcoming experience and to ensure understanding of refuge regulations.
• Helping develop, coordinate, and implement site or issue specific outreach and communication.

Marginal Duties
• Draft short social media posts or newsletter blurbs highlighting volunteer stories or upcoming opportunities, pending staff approval.
• Assist with distributing flyers or informational materials in community spaces to broaden awareness of volunteer programs.

Required Qualifications
• Available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for 51 weeks. Position requires some evening and weekend work.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record. Drive government vehicle as required for position.
• Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for these positions is someone who:
• Is bilingual Spanish-English.
• Is passionate about nature and about connecting marginalized communities with outdoor recreation opportunities and resources.
• Is able, with instruction, to teach environmental education and interpretation programs and coordinate a volunteer program.
• Is able to connect with diverse audiences.
• Is open-minded and willing to learn.
• Is good at networking and creating partnerships.
• Has strong written and oral communication skills.
• Has strong organizational skills.
• Is comfortable and capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Is a creative problem solver.
• Has community outreach or engagement experience.
• Has experience working with adults and children in outdoor settings.
• Has knowledge of social media platforms and video editing programs.
• Has excellent customer/visitor service skills.
• Is able to work outside in all weather conditions.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing provided on site; FWS bunkhouse

Compensation
• $600* weekly living allowance (paid bi-weekly)
• $1,100* to/from travel allowance
• $1,500 Duty Related Travel or Member Expense reimbursement funding (Receipt required)
• Monthly Health Insurance (Optional)
• All Weather Uniform (provided by SCA & Arborwear)
• Housing provided on-site
• Eligible for the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of position (640hrs minimum service)
• All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans aged 35 or younger, at the start of the position. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Personal Vehicle Information

Personal vehicle required for access to basic amenities.

Additional Benefits

Defensive Driving Training

Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: May be eligible, but subject to award availability

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.