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Overview: Abilene State Park is seeking friendly faces to assist our headquarters staff. Volunteers will be responsible for providing excellent customer service to park visitors, collecting fees, checking in campers, and selling park store merchandise. Duties also include performing light cleaning and organizational duties. Requirements: HQ volunteers are required on the weekends and must commit to volunteering for at least 6 hours a month. A criminal background check (at no cost to you) and knowledge of computers are required. Must pass a fiscal control test before being allowed to operate a cash drawer. Volunteers must also be willing to wear a provided uniform shirt and be comfortable handling money. Benefits: This is a great opportunity for those who are seeking employment with Texas State Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, or just want to get out of the house. Contact the park at 325-572-3204 and ask for John Bell if you have any questions or if you would like assistance applying.
Program: Abilene State Park
Contact Person: John Bell
Contact Phone: (325) 352-6154
Click here for details or to sign up
The Friends of Abilene State Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer group that helps support the park through fundraising and outreach. Members assist with park events, educational programs, fundraising, and community outreach. All funds raised go directly back into supporting the park. Volunteer opportunities include:* Become a Board Member* Conduct educational programs to the public* Kayak/paddle/life vest cleaning and upkeep* Table at outreach events in the community* Assist with special events in the park* Attend free trainings offered by TPWD* Help with trail maintenance Meetings are held at the Abilene Public Library - South Branch (located inside Mall of Abilene) at 6:30PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, except for July and August. To become a member:Click the sign up button and make your volunteer profile. A Friends Board Member will email you with more information. Annual Membership Dues:Individual - $15Family - $25Students - $10; may also be obtained through volunteer hoursSponsorship - $100Let's be Friends!
Contact Person: Candyce Johnson
Contact Phone: (325) 267-4871
If this is your first time volunteering, this position is a great way to find out what area of the park you like best. Education, maintenance, customer service, outreach, conservation, or a combination of these are potential areas for you to explore. We'll chat with you to find out what you're most interested in when it comes to your volunteer time and experience. Requirements: We will perform a criminal background check (at no cost to you). Must be able to lift at least 40 lbs. Very likely that you will need to stand for long periods of time and walk at least a mile.
Overview: Interpretive volunteers provide quality educational programs to park visitors, including families and school groups. Interpretive programs are mostly done on the weekend, except for school field trips that are held during the week. There will also be opportunities to assist with outdoor educational events such as archery, fishing, and geocaching. On-site interpretive training will be provided. Volunteers start out assisting a Park Interpreter or Master Naturalist with programs and can work their way up to designing and leading their own programs if they chose.Requirements: A criminal background check is required (at no cost to you). You must be able to walk/hike trail for 1-2 hours at a time. Benefits: This is a great opportunity for those seeking employment with Texas Parks and Wildlife, want to improve their public speaking skills, or wish to gain informal education experience. Contact the park at 325-572-3204 and ask for John Bell if you have any questions or if you would like assistance applying.
Overview: Maintenance volunteers assist Park Rangers with facilities and grounds maintenance by mowing grass, performing trail maintenance, and assisting with other park projects as needed. Due to a limited number of vehicles being available, you may be required to drive your own to complete duties.Requirements: A criminal background check is required (at no cost to you). You must be able to lift at least 40 pounds and show proficiency in operating various equipment, including weed eaters, zero-turn mowers, and leaf blowers. Position also requires standing for long periods of time, carrying, and walking.Benefits: This is a great opportunity for those seeking employment with Texas Parks and Wildlife to gain experience. It's also great for those who like to work with their hands and want to spend more time outside.
Park Hosts assist park staff with various duties that include but are not limited to: trash pickup, fire-ring maintenance, minor construction projects, vehicle repair, assisting with schools groups, special events, and interpretive programs, working the concession stand at our pool and collecting fees at our headquarters. Park Hosts work a minimum of 24 hours a week for individuals and 30 hours for couples. A Criminal Background Check is required. All of our sites are 30 & 50amp.
*We are currently booked thru 2027* In exchange for 24-32 hours per week, Park Hosts are provided with a 50 amp sewer, water and electric campsite. Duties include campground and day use maintenance, restrooms, special projects, trail maintenance and customer service. Duties dependant upon the current park needs and skills of the volunteer. Background Check Required.
Program: Atlanta State Park
Contact Person: Kayla Williams
Contact Phone: (903) 796-6476
Volunteer will remove dead plants, water, trim, and make sure that the park plants are healthy and groomed. Must have experience in gardening and/or landscaping. Must also have adequate knowledge of desert plants that are native to and non-native to the Chihuahuan Desert.Required:-Applicant must be at least 18 yrs. -Must be able to pass a criminal background check
Program: Balmorhea State Park
Contact Person: Michelle Hernandez
Contact Phone: (432) 375-2370
Volunteer will assist in interpretive programs such as school groups, public programs, or special events that occur within the park. Sharing information of the State Park's history, plants, and wildlife while interacting with the public.
Tasks will vary. Hosts will assist with day-to-day operations including visitor services, maintenance, facility clean-up, special events and other duties as needed. Tasks will be tailored to suit the skills and interests of each volunteer.
Program: Barton Warnock Visitor Center
Contact Person: Omar Udave
Contact Phone: (432) 424-3327
Under the direction of park staff, the volunteer performs general facilities maintenance and assists with special events. Housing is not provided.
Looking for regular volunteer opportunities at Bastrop and Buescher State Parks? Want to be a part of something meaningful and become a steward some of the most beautiful land Texas has to offer? Join the Lost Pines Liaisons!As part of the Lost Pines Liaisons (LPL), you'll have access to volunteer opportunities not available to the general public, such as interpretive education programs, visitor center staffing, trail maintenance, natural resource projects and much more. We'll also hold uniform graduations, distribute exclusive service pins, have LPL appreciation parties and other perks.Perfect for high school and college students looking for experience and volunteering hours, adults looking for opportunities to get outside, or anyone with a passion for Texas State Parks and desire to give back.The Lost Pines Liaisons is a membership-based volunteer club; the only thing we ask for you to maintain membership is for you to serve 48 hours annually.This is a brand-new club; become a founding member and be a part of something great!
Program: Buescher State Park
Contact Person: Jacob Wallace
Contact Phone: (737) 352-7839
Interpretive Center Docents Needed! The Historic Golf Shelter finally has it's exhibits in place and is open for visitors to enjoy! As an Interpretive Center Docent, you will be the friendly face that greets visitors as they come in the door, briefly explain the lay out of the interpretive center, be there to answer any questions they may have and guide their park visit by suggesting trails and sites to visit. Do not sign up for a shift until you have gone through the Interpretive Center Training.After you've received training, you can sign up for a shift. Each shift is 2 hrs in length. If you'd like to sign up for multiple shifts in a row, feel free to! If you miss the training date and would still like to volunteer, please email madalyn.miller@tpwd.texas.govYou will shadow a trained volunteer for three shifts; one opening shift, one middle shift, and one closing shift. If you feel comfortable with the duties after the three shadowing shifts, you can sign up for a shift on your own.
Program: Bastrop State Park
2025/2026 - Openings for months of October 2025 through December 2026. (minimum 3, maximum 6 month stay).
Come join our team and experience life beneath the pines at Bastrop State Park! Spend a season in the scenic Lost Pines of Bastrop and help contribute to your Texas State Parks. Willing and eager with a can-do attitude? Then we want you! Bastrop State Park is looking for motivated couples or individuals to come enjoy the wonderful smell of loblolly pines while helping our superior park staff with daily park needs. Park Hosts assist in many aspects of park operations from maintenance, cleaning, visitor assistance, and interpretive programming.Ideal team members will have a positive and friendly attitude, a willingness to interact with visitors, good communication skills, and be capable of being flexible. The host position is for 3 to 6 months and requires at least 25 hours of volunteer work per week. In exchange for those hours we will provide you with a full hookup site (50 amp) at no charge! We also provide access to a washer and dryer facility. Also enjoy wonderful shopping and dining experiences in historic downtown Bastrop, which is only a five minute drive away from the park. Nearby cities of Austin, Houston and San Antonio provide additional day off opportunities! Duties of the Park Host Required:
- Clean and maintain bathrooms - Oversee and maintain assigned campground loop, including but not limited to, trash pick-up of entire loop, clean out fire rings, mow/weed-eat entire camping loop, remove weeds from tent pads - Assist with historic CCC cabin cleaning - Assist visitorsOther duties include but are not limited to:- Assist with park grounds maintenance - Assist with Interpretive tours/hikes and programs- Assist with miscellaneous tasks, projects and programs.Minimum 25 hours a week with days off mainly on days other than weekends as assigned by park management needs. Must be willing and capable of cleaning bathrooms and occasionally helping with cabins. Applicants need to be available at least 3 consecutive months and will have the option to stay up to 6 months.Must be at least 18 years old and must pass a criminal background check
Do you want to feed the birds? Do you want to learn about local wildlife? Just want to get out in nature for a while? Become a Bentsen Bird Feeder!Major Duties:·Represent TPWD State Parks in a positive manner and support the work of park staff.·Put out seed and suet feed following a specific feeding plan.·Provide general information and assistance to park visitors.·Perform basic maintenance and cleaning of feeders and feeding areas.·Notify appropriate staff of larger maintenance, wildlife, or supply concerns.·Possible additional opportunities:o Cleaning and refilling hummingbird feederso Mixing sueto Cleaning blinds and water featuresRequirements:·Must pass a Criminal Background Check and possess a valid Driver's License.·Use authorized park vehicles such as park trucks and/or UTVs in a safe manner.·Able and willing to work in an outdoor setting.·Must be willing to greet and interact with visitors in a professional manner.·Knowledge and/or interest in park's natural and cultural resources and willingness to continue learning.Time Commitment: Requires at least one shift per week on a regular schedule. Shifts typically last on average 2 hrs. but may vary from 1-4 hrs. depending on needs.Benefits: ·Excellent wildlife viewing!·Knowledge that you are stewarding and protecting Texas State Parks for use today and by future generations.·Training in interpretation and access to resources and tools to continue to learn about the dynamic natural and cultural resources of the park.Contact: Volunteer Coordinator T.C. Riddle, (956) 584-9156, thomas.riddle@tpwd.texas.gov
Program: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Contact Person: Thomas Riddle
Contact Phone: (956) 584-9156
Do you love wildlife viewing? Are you curious about local wildlife? Ever wanted to be a scientist? If you said yes to any of these questions, this opportunity may be perfect for you!Major Duties and Requirements:
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Do you love wildlife and Texas State Parks? Can you spare half a day a week to spend out in nature? If you answered yes to these, then our Nature Center Attendant Position may be the perfect opportunity for you!This position's purpose is to serve as a front-line visitor resource for park information while offering and maintaining Nature Center resources.Major Duties include:
If you want to combine the appeal of being a winter Texan with the opportunity to support one of the most unique birding areas in the country, this opportunity could be for you!This host position assists with interpretive projects such as guided bird walks, Hawk Watch, feeding, feeder area maintenance, etc. Host may also assist as a Nature Center attendant, shuttle driver, or help with other interpretive programs / outreach.This volunteer opportunity is available to qualified applicants and is open to either couples or individuals. In exchange for 20 hours a week for a single person or 30 hours a week (15 hours per person) for couples, hosts are provided with a full hook-up campsite with water, electricity (30/50 amp) and sewer hookups. This host opportunity is for a minimum of a three-month term between the months of September 1, through April 30. Criminal Background Check is required.
If you want to combine the appeal of being a winter Texan with the opportunity to support one of the most unique birding areas in the country, this opportunity could be for you!This host position assists park maintenance department with various duties to include but not limited to: cleaning and organizing maintenance shop area and painting park facilities such as benches, parking areas, and other assets as needed. Performs restroom cleaning and litter patrol duties as needed. Cleans and maintains park water features, assists with the maintenance and upkeep of mowing equipment, assists with mowing and weed eating as needed, assists with park trail maintenance and litter patrol. Assists with landscaping gardening of butterfly gardens. Special skills are highly desired such as knowledge of plumbing, woodworking, and painting techniques. Assists with other tasks as needed. This volunteer opportunity is available to qualified applicants and is open to either couples or individuals. In exchange for 20 hours a week for a single person or 30 hours a week (15 hours per person) for couples, hosts are provided with a full hook-up campsite with water, electricity (30/50 amp) and sewer hookups. This host opportunity is for a minimum of a three month term between the months of October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Criminal Background Check is required.
If you want to combine the appeal of being a winter Texan with the opportunity to support one of the most unique birding areas in the country, this opportunity could be for you!This host position assists with greeting and orienting visitors to the park. Assists with park store sales and issuing permits. Assists with minor cleaning of store area, restrooms and bird feeders and water features. Assists with stocking and maintaining bird feeding stations. Assists with staffing of nature center and sharing park events and information with visitors of all ages. Assists with maintaining and landscaping gardening of butterfly gardens. Skills in customer service are highly desired. This volunteer opportunity is available to qualified applicants and is open to either couples or individuals. In exchange for 20 hours a week for a single person or 30 hours a week (15 hours per person) for couples, hosts are provided with a full hook-up campsite with water, electricity (30/50 amp) and sewer hookups. This host opportunity is for a minimum of a three-month term between the months of October 1 through April 30. Criminal Background Check is required.
