Residential RV Volunteers

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for overwintering waterfowl and protects the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwood forest in southeast Missouri. Fauna and flora is abundant and diverse throughout the scenic 21,592-acre refuge, and there are many opportunities for hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and 31 miles of auto tour routes. Within the refuge lies a 7,730-acre federally designated Wilderness Area.

Volunteers are critical to serving visitors and maintaining the quality of Mingo NWR. We are seeking enthusiastic residential volunteers to join us for 3-4 month terms throughout 2020. Priority seasons are March-May and September-November. Volunteers will have the opportunity to staff our visitor center, greet visitors and answer questions, answer phones, assist with bookstore functions, participate in environmental education and interpretive programs, maintain garden beds around visitor center, mow and trim, stock kiosks, and perform other light maintenance and janitorial work.

Area Information: Mingo NWR is located in a rural area just east of the Ozark foothills, 1.5 miles from Puxico, Missouri, which has a small grocery store, gas stations, and several restaurants. More amenities are available in Poplar Bluff and Dexter, each 30 miles away, and Cape Girardeau, 50 miles away. The refuge is 3 hours from Memphis and St. Louis, 4 hours from Nashville, and 4 hours from Branson.

Orientation and ongoing training provided.

Requirements

• Ability to use a cash register and handle bookstore and pass sales
• Enjoy interacting with the public while professionally representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Wear volunteer shirt or vest (provided)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred skills, but not required:

• Ability to complete a defensive driving course and possession of a valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of or interest in nature, photography, paddling, or fishing, and an interest in sharing that knowledge with the public

Housing and Amenities:

• On-site RV pads on asphalt with full hookups (water, 30- and 50-amp electric, sewer), community grill and picnic table
• Use of RV pad and amenities requires 24 hours of scheduled service per week, per person; Saturday availability may be required
• Internet access is not available at RV pads, but previous residents have been successful using their own WiFi service; cell phone coverage can be spotty
• Limited WiFi access available in visitor center
• Leashed pets allowed at RV sites