Review Public Use Facilities and Update Refuge Website

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Jet, OK

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Semester of Service Student Volunteer Program offers students an unpaid, project-based opportunity to support Federal missions while gaining hands-on experience and career-ready skills. This volunteer assignment is at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Jet, Oklahoma, for a 90-day term during Spring 2027, scheduled between mid-January and mid-June. The position is hybrid, combining in-office work with telework eligibility, and requires a commitment of 8–20 hours per week. Shared bunkhouse housing is available during the project.

The volunteer will help review, update, and create website content as the refuge transitions to a new website format. They will assess public-use facilities, identify possible improvements, and evaluate accessibility barriers and opportunities. The volunteer may also gain experience working with refuge staff and programs in biology, management, visitor services, maintenance, and administration.

This is an unpaid volunteer position. Participants are not Federal employees and receive no compensation, stipend, or hiring preference. The experience may help participants qualify for future jobs. Volunteers receive meaningful project work with defined deliverables, regular supervision and Federal mentorship, hands-on skill development, and exposure to Federal missions and career pathways. They receive coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries, along with structured onboarding and ongoing supervision.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national studying in the United States or abroad.
• Must possess a U.S. driver's license.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time throughout the 90-day opportunity in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution beyond high school. Qualifying institutions must be located within the United States.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
• Students graduating before May 1, 2027, are not eligible.
• Must provide transcripts with the application package for enrollment verification.
• Must arrange for a school official to sign a Semester of Service approval form confirming at least half-time enrollment and good academic standing.
• Must complete required onboarding documentation and agree to volunteer.
• Must not be a current Federal employee.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants pursuing a degree or career in communications, human dimensions, visitor services, natural resources, or biology are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review, update, and create Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge website content following its transition to a new format.
• Review the current condition of public-use facilities and identify potential improvements.
• Evaluate facility accessibility barriers and potential opportunities.
• Complete required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and the academic institution.
• Commit to volunteering 8–20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.

Benefits

• Professional experience through meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and Federal mentorship.
• Skill development through hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Career exploration through exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries.
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision.
• Shared bunkhouse housing is available during the project.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed