The National Park Service frequently requires supplemental staff during the busy summer season to provide visitor and resource protection. The following volunteer positions have been created to augment the day to day operational staff and supply call-when-needed resources to handle emergencies which routinely occur in the park. These positions enable the public to be exposed to the complex operation of Yosemite National Park and learn about ways in which they may make a career in the National Park Service.

LYV PSAR/Wildlife Technician

The Yosemite Valley District may fill one or more part-time, seasonal, PSAR/Wildlife volunteer positions each year. These positions are based in Little Yosemite Valley (LYV), which contains the trail network leading to Half Dome. While there are no roads in this wilderness area it is one of the busiest trail systems in Yosemite and the National Park System. Due to the volume of hikers in this area there is often a need for extra persons to patrol the trails and assist visitors.

The PSAR (Preventative Search and Rescue) portion of the position involves talking to hikers about their skill level and known hazards in an attempt to prevent any mishaps. Additionally, the volunteer is expected to respond to and report emergencies as well as assist with SAR operations. The wildlife management portion of the position involves assisting and educating hikers on how to keep Yosemite’s wildlife wild. Specifically, the volunteer is trained to assist with monitoring bear activity and assisting visitors with proper food storage. Volunteers are also expected to the assist the LYV Rangers with operations and projects.

This is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of a career with the National Park Service, Emergency Medicine, Search and Rescue, or Wildlife Management. Backcountry “housing” and food are provided at the LYV ranger station and “off-duty” housing may be available in Yosemite Valley. The season runs from roughly mid-May through mid-October. There is a great deal of flexibility in the schedule; however volunteers must commit a minimum of 32 hours per week.

Other volunteer opportunities may be available with less time commitment for special projects and support roles. Specific training for this position will be provided as well as additional training opportunities throughout the season (SAR, Fire, EMS, Wildlife, Stock, and Interpretation). Volunteers may be paid while working on larger incidents provided the 32 hour per week requirement is met. Volunteers are covered by Workers Compensation for injuries received during training, scheduled assignments, and emergency work.

LYV PSAR/Wildlife Technician applications must be received by March 31st in order to be evaluated as a “full-season” volunteer for the upcoming summer season. Applications received after March 31st will be considered only as space allows. Applications should be accompanied by a resume with three references. If you are interested in any of the LYV positions, you are welcome to complete an application form.

If you have access to Microsoft Word, please download this form: (Word version). Complete, print, sign, and return it as directed on the form. If you do no have access to Microsoft Word, please download this form: (PDF version). Print, complete, sign, and return it as directed on the form.

Selections are made by the LYV Supervisor and the Valley District Supervisors. Team member selections are based on 1) the applicant’s skill level and 2) the LYV staffing needs. We try to make spring selections by mid-April. If you don't make the initial cut, don't give up. There is often turnover during the season, or maybe you simply need to increase your skills and reapply next year.
A good attitude and an aptitude for new experiences may be more important than current knowledge and skills.

Send us an email if you have any questions.

SAR-Site Program

Many rescues occur in the high angle environment on the cliffs and mountains of Yosemite National Park. The rescues require a comprehensive team response, which cannot always be achieved with National Park Service employees alone. To alleviate this problem, campsites have been set aside in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows for team members who are skilled climbers with no other housing. These campsites are called the "SAR Sites."

As a SAR Siter you are given a tent site and in exchange you are required to carry a pager and respond to SAR emergencies when requested and to attend training with the other team members. There is no fixed work schedule and with the exception of occasional days scheduled for training or projects, most of your time is your own. There is no guaranteed income, since we can not predict emergency work.

You will not be a government employee and are “hired” only for the duration of a SAR incident as an “emergency hire,” in the same way extra fire fighters are picked up for wild land fires. You will be paid for rescues but not for training, but you will be insured against on-the-job injuries in both cases.

To be considered you must be able to comfortably lead traditional (non-sport) climbs of at least 5.8. You will be more competitive if you also have skills in big wall climbing, mountaineering, swift water, emergency medicine and/or SAR. We stress big wall experience more heavily for the Valley Site than for Tuolumne. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

The application process for the SAR Site team is very competitive and positions are limited. SAR Site applications must be received by March 1 in order to be evaluated as a SAR Site occupant for the upcoming summer season. Applications received after March 1 will be considered only as space allows. SAR applications must be accompanied by a resume with three references. This policy is both for new applicants and returning SAR Site members. If you meet the minimum requirements, you are welcome to complete an application.

If you have access to Microsoft Word, please download this form: (Word version). Complete, print, sign, and return it as directed on the form. If you do no have access to Microsoft Word, please download this form: (PDF version). Print, complete, sign, and return it as directed on the form. Selections are made by the Valley or Tuolumne SAR Coordinators. Team member selections are based on 1) the applicant’s skill level and 2) the district staffing needs.

SAR site applicants are accepted year-round; however, we add the most members in the spring and those applications should reach us by March 1. We try to make spring selections by mid-March. If you do not make the initial cut, don't give up. There is often turnover during the season, or maybe you simply need to increase your skills and reapply next year.

Send us an email if you have any questions.