Volunteer Positions

Mount Rainier National Park works with volunteers in positions throughout the park. Some are short-term assignments lasting only a day or two; others last for months or even years, in full-time or intermittent roles. Select the kind of position you're interested in from the following list of options:

By status: ▪ Now recruiting ▪ All active jobs ▪ All positions ▪ Under development By type of volunteer: ▪ Individuals ▪ Groups ▪ Families ▪ Youth By length of service: ▪ Short-term ▪ Long-term ▪ Intermittent ▪ Internships

By theme: ▪ Campgrounds ▪ Cultural resources ▪ Education ▪ Financial support ▪ Interpretation ▪ Maintenance ▪ Natural resources ▪ Patrol ▪ Public outreach ▪ Science ▪ Through park partners ▪ Trail maintenance ▪ Volunteer program ▪ Wilderness

By season: ▪ Spring ▪ Summer ▪ Autumn ▪ Winter Recruiting: ▪ Actors ▪ Artists ▪ Climbers ▪ College students ▪ Local residents ▪ Scientists ▪ Teachers ▪ Youth

Volunteer Program Calendar

Click on any item for details and/or online registration. Long-term and recurring opportunities are listed in the right-hand column of this page.

Volunteer Positions

Mount Rainier National Park works with volunteers in positions throughout the park. Some are short-term assignments lasting only a day or two; others last for months or even years, in full-time or intermittent roles. Select the kind of position you're interested in from the following list of options:

By status: ▪ Now recruiting ▪ All positions ▪ Under development By type of volunteer: ▪ Individuals ▪ Groups ▪ Families ▪ Youth By length of service: ▪ Short-term ▪ Long-term ▪ Intermittent ▪ Internships

By theme: ▪ Campgrounds ▪ Cultural resources ▪ Education ▪ Financial support ▪ Interpretation ▪ Maintenance ▪ Natural resources ▪ Patrol ▪ Public outreach ▪ Science ▪ Through park partners ▪ Trail maintenance ▪ Volunteer program ▪ Wilderness

By season: ▪ Spring ▪ Summer ▪ Autumn ▪ Winter Recruiting: ▪ Actors ▪ Artists ▪ Climbers ▪ College students ▪ Local residents ▪ Scientists ▪ Teachers ▪ Youth

Artists-in-Residence

Type: Medium-term individuals
Dates: To be determined
Status: Now in development

Quick summary: Mount Rainier National Park is working on developing an Artists in Residence program similar to those hosted by other national parks.
 
For further information: Details are still being worked out, but if you think you may be interested in participating, contact Volunteer and Outreach Manager Kevin Bacher at 360-569-2211 ext. 3385.
Blog entries about this opportunity

Audiovisual Specialist

Type: Long-term individuals
Dates: Winter season
Status: In development

Quick summary: Over the years, Mount Rainier has amassed an enormous collection of digital images, which are currently scattered across many hard drives in the park's computer network. Work must be done--and soon--to organize and catalogue this collection, to make it accessible and usable by all staff. This position is currently unfunded and under development.

For further information: Volunteer Program Manager Kevin Bacher, 360-569-2211 ext. 3385.

Backcountry Maintenance

Type: Short-term groups or intermittent individuals
Dates: June to October
Status: Now planning for summer projects

Quick summary: With the addition (hopefully) of a Maintenance Volunteer Coordinator this summer, there should be more opportunities than ever for backcountry maintenance projects. Possibilities for groups include wilderness cleanup (removing old telephone cables) and "sherpa projects" (delivering supplies and materials to backcountry locations). Individuals with carpentry skills may help restore or re-roof backcountry cabins, shelters, or fire lookouts, on projects lasting a single day or multiple weeks.
 
For more information, or to offer the services of yourself or your group, contact Carpenter Mitch Anderson at 360-569-2211 ext. 3347, or Volunteer Program Manager Kevin Bacher at 360-569-2211 ext. 3385.
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Backcountry Patrol

Type: Long-term and intermittent individuals
Dates: Year-round
Status: Not currently recruiting, but open to inquiries; may hire interns this summer through the Student Conservation Association if funding permits

Quick summary: Mount Rainier's wilderness backcountry is extensive. A small team of volunteers supplements seasonal park staff to patrol the park's hundreds of miles of trails, assisting visitors, checking backcountry permits, and performing minor trail and campsite maintenance. These additional eyes and ears are especially helpful during the busy summer, and in remote parts of the park like Carbon River.

For more information: While the park is not currently recruiting additional volunteers in this area, inquiries are welcome. Direct them to West District Ranger Daniel Camiccia at 360-569-2211 ext. 3419; East District Ranger Geoff Walker at 360-569-6031; or Carbon River Ranger Jim Hull at 360-829-9639.
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Bookstore Clerk

Type: Long-term individuals
Dates: roughly June to September
Status: Filled for 2010

Quick summary: Mount Rainier National Park works in partnership with Discover Your Northwest to provide educational books and other materials for sale in visitor centers throughout the park. These positions receive a modest salary, but also volunteer their assistance to visitors and interpretive rangers.
 
For more information: Bookstore Manager Sherry Paul, 360-569-2211 ext. 3320
Apply online
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Campground Host

Type: Long-term individual volunteers
Dates: Memorial Day-Columbus Day
Status: Filled for 2010

Quick summary: Campground hosts assist visitors and perform minor campground maintenance duties at both the Ohanapecosh and Cougar Rock Campgrounds. The season is often split between two individuals or couples, with one serving the first half of the season and the other finishing it. These are some of our most popular and competitive positions.

For further information: Campground Manager Debbie Hannevig, 360-569-6006
Apply online (for 2011)
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Camping Adventures Assistant

Type: Long-term individuals
Dates: 12-weeks, beginning about June 7
Status: Now hiring through the Student Conservation Association

Quick summary: The "Camping Adventures with My Parents" (CAMP) program is an exciting new program offered by Mount Rainier National Park, which provides introductory camping experiences to diverse families from the Seattle and Tacoma urban areas. The Camping Adventures intern will help lead five of these intensive 3-day program over the course of the summer.

For further information: Kevin Bacher, Volunteer and Outreach Program Manager, 360-569-2211 ext. 3385
Apply online
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