Volunteer

 

Become a VIP (Volunteer-in-Parks)!

White Sands offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for both longterm and local volunteers. Our onsite RV volunteers contribute a minimum of 32 hours per week, while community members not interested in housing must offer a minimum of 16 hours per month, excluding single-day projects. Volunteer roles vary from assisting visitors in the visitor center to supporting staff with maintenance and natural resource projects. Volunteering at White Sands National Park is a meaningful way to support your national parks and help protect this incredible landscape!

Volunteering and Benefits

• Volunteers who earn 250 or more hours can receive a pass entitling them to free entry to all federal lands for 12 months. The pass is honored nationwide at all National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service areas where standard amenity fees are charged.

• Long term volunteer opportunities are offered by the National Park Service. Living in park options may be available.

• All volunteers receive orientation and training.

• The National Park Service is an equal opportunity employer.
  

  Got a Group?

  A variety of service opportunities are available for groups of youth and adults of all backgrounds, interests, and abilities. For information on service projects for your group, please email us. We would love to find a project that would accommodate your group!

 

 

Volunteer Hannah provides resources and information to guests at the visitor center.

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Interpretation

• Visitor Center Operations Park
• Event Photography
• Leading Ranger Programs (after sufficient time & training)

 

Volunteer David replacing trash cans with fresh liners throughout the park.

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Maintenance

• Event Clean-Up Crew
• General Park-Wide Maintenance – Fall/Winter
• Vehicle Maintenance Escort
• Visitor Center Upkeep
• Maintenance Sign Repair

 

Volunteer Noah taking measurements at a survey site within the park.

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Resources

• Trackways Studies/Training – Fall/Winter/Spring
• Archaeological Surveys
• Boundary Fence Maintenance
• Hiking Trail Marker Upkeep
• Information Briefs Development
• Exotic Plant Removal

 

Law enforcement volunteers help rangers help keep park visitors safe

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Law Enforcement

• SAR/PSAR (Search & Rescue/Preventative Search and Rescue)
• LE Assistant
• Traffic Control

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about volunteering at White Sands? This page may help answer your questions.

 

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Current Volunteer Opportunities

Current open volunteer positions are listed on this page. These links will take you to Volunteer.gov, where you can fill out the online application. Once your application is received, the volunteer coordinator will contact you.

 

To apply for a volunteer position, contact us at [e-mail], call 575-479-6124 ext. 237, or drop by the visitor center from 9am-5pm. You can also search for volunteer opportunities at Volunteer.gov. Please note that some of these volunteer opportunities are only offered during certain seasons.