Volunteers help staff the Book Store at Fort Jefferson
Volunteers-In-Parks Program
Volunteers play a vital role in the daily operation of Dry Tortugas National Park. Through the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program, individuals generously share their time and talents to improve the visitor experience and maintain the unique resources found within the park.
Click here for current volunteer opportunities.
The National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks Program (VIP) was authorized and enacted in 1970. The primary purpose of the VIP program is to provide a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept voluntary help and services from the public. The major objective of the program is to use this voluntary help in such a way that is mutually beneficial to the National Park Service and the volunteer.
Our volunteers are, without a doubt, Very Important People! In Fiscal Year 2005, 137,000 volunteers donated 5.2 million hours to your national parks at a value of $91.2 million. Volunteers come from all over to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Young and old alike give of their time and expertise to assist in achieving the National Park Service mission.
Volunteer opportunities at Dry Tortugas National Park require living and working in a very remote and wonderfully unique setting. Volunteers must be in good physical condition and capable of working full days in the sun and wind. Volunteer positions require bending and lifting, as well as work in a sometimes harsh subtropical environment approximately 70 nautical miles from medical care.
Because this is a remote location, careful planning is a must. Internet and phone service is limited and is not always reliable due to weather and satellite conditions. Cell phone service is not available. For groceries you do not pack with you, you can place a grocery order once a week from a local grocery store. The nearest medical facilities are in Key West and are only accessible by daily ferry service (weather dependent).
Volunteers are accepted from the public without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Please note that volunteers are not considered to be federal employees for any purposes other than tort claims and injury compensation. Volunteer service is not creditable for leave accrual or any other benefit. However, volunteer service is creditable work experience.
For more information, email the Volunteer Coordinator at e-mail.
Download these documents:
Volunteer Brochure (235 kb, PDF)
Volunteer Program Overview (205 kb, PDF)
Volunteer Application (560 kb, PDF).
