Volunteers play a crucial role in Grand Teton National Park, assisting with various tasks such as historic preservation, traffic management, bear education, trail maintenance, wildlife research, and more. The park experiences the highest demand for volunteers during summer, with recruitment taking place from late February to March.
Grand Teton National Park Foundation has been supporting volunteer programs in Grand Teton for over a decade. Our investment provides an essential workforce in the park that has become critical for visitor education, resource protection, and park operations as a whole. Thanks to all who support these critical programs year after year!
To apply for any of the programs below, follow this link to Grand Teton's volunteer page for additional information, contact details, and an application form. Thank you!
Volunteer Opportunities 2024
Visitor Centers
Full and part-time volunteers are welcome and serve people from around the world by staffing visitor center information desks, answering phones, roving popular trails, viewpoints, and parking lots to provide information and education. Interpretive volunteers often recommend day trip itineraries, hiking destinations, and wildlife viewing locations. There may be opportunities to present educational programs. Interpretive volunteers must have strong communication skills and interpersonal aptitudes.
Roving Interpretive Ranger
Part-time volunteers travel around the park to popular front-country turn outs and offer roving orientation, information, and interpretation based on visitor needs and interests. Volunteers will serve as roving ambassadors to help welcome visitors and facilitate connections to this special place.
Wildlife Brigade
Full and part-time volunteers support NPS staff in providing safe and ethical wildlife viewing opportunities along park roadways. Volunteers also patrol developed areas to educate visitors on proper food storage requirements and to discuss safe and responsible recreation in bear country.
String Lakers
Local, part-time volunteers patrol area trails and provide visitors with proper bear and food storage protocols, provide education on park rules, and collect valuable visitor use data.
River Ambassadors
Local, part-time volunteers patrol park boat launches and landings to educate users of rules and safety issues. Knowledge of the Snake River and various boats recommended.
Vegetation Ecology and Management
The vegetation program has opportunities available for individuals and groups throughout the year. Volunteers can help with the native plant materials program, including planting native plants, collecting native seed, cleaning native seed, and helping at the park nursery. There are also opportunities to support the invasive plant program as a Weed Warrior! Weed warriors can help map, monitor, and pull weeds throughout the park. Opportunities vary depending on the season but are available year-round.
Trails
Various trail maintenance projects are offered throughout the summer. Groups generally do minor maintenance on trails requiring light to moderate physical activity. All ages and skill levels are welcome, with the ideal group size being 10-20 people. Projects and space are limited.
Pathway and Nordic Ambassadors
Local part-time volunteers ski the Teton Park Road in the winter and bike the multi-use pathway in the summer, helping with visitor orientation and park stewardship, carrying basic park information and encouraging compliance with pet and other park regulations.
EMS & Fire
Part- and full-time volunteers work as a volunteer employee assisting with various emergency services duties and general project work. Specialized training is recommended.
Front Desk/Lost and Found
Part- and full-time volunteers support administrative functions in park headquarters. Volunteers staff the front desk greeting visitors, directing calls and working on projects as assigned.
