Volunteers at Saguaro National Park perform many of the functions that allow visitors to enjoy the park as well as many behind-the-scenes functions that are essential to maintaining the long term health of the park’s resources.

Volunteer duties have included; staffing the visitor centers, leading nature hikes, presenting environmental education programs to school and community groups, conducting “Junior Ranger” programs and day camps, assisting biologists with research projects, pulling non-native weeds, day-to-day maintenance functions, trail building and maintenance, and patrolling trails on foot and horseback.

Current volunteer job descriptions are listed below. Click on a title for full details. If you see a job that matches your interests, skills, and availability, please contact the supervisor directly. They may ask you to submit an application, which can also be found below.

Although Saguaro National Park uses many volunteers in many capacities, there are not always immediate openings in every area. If you do not see a job that you are interested in, please check back. Volunteer job opportunities are sometimes seasonal or for relatively short-term projects and listings may change frequently.

NPS photo

One of our happy volunteers at the TMD visitor center.

Vistor Center Assistant / Naturalist

Volunteers are needed at the Tucson Mountain District (West) visitor center. Work in a beautiful area with mostly-happy and interesting visitors. Learn more about your park. Gain the satisfaction of helping others to enjoy and understand this amazing area. Staff the information desk, answer visitors' questions about the park and the area, answer the telephone, operate cash register, and give talks or lead short walks about the natural history of the area. Typical time commitement is 4.5 hours per week year-round.

Environmental Education Volunteers 

Volunteers are needed to assist with environmental education programs at the Rincon Mountain District (East). Volunteers work with local school groups, leading fieldtrips at the park and presenting programs in the classroom. Typical time commitment is 4 hours per week, October – April. Formal training is provided in late October each year and job shadowing takes place during the first few weeks as a new volunteer.

NPS Staff

Volunteers collecting saguaro data

Saguaro Census Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help park scientists collect information about the giant saguaro cactus. This position involves hiking on and off trail and learning about the unique flora of the sonoran desert. To find out more information about volunteering, visit the program's web page