Visitor Center Maintenance Volunteer

Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina May 29, 2027 – September 11th, 2027

Cape Lookout National Seashore is seeking two enthusiastic volunteers (individuals or couples) to help care for and maintain the park's visitor facilities at the Harkers Island Visitor Center and Cape Lookout Lighthouse Visitor Center.

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in keeping public spaces welcoming, and appreciate the opportunity to live and volunteer in one of the most scenic coastal landscapes in the National Park System, this may be the perfect position for you.

About the Park:

Cape Lookout National Seashore protects 56 miles of undeveloped barrier islands along North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks. Visitors travel from around the world to ferry across the water, watch wild horses roam the beaches, search for seashells, enjoy exceptional fishing, and experience the solitude of a truly remote coastline. The seashore is home to abundant wildlife, including nesting sea turtles, migratory birds, and diverse marine life. As the sun sets, visitors are treated to spectacular night skies and breathtaking coastal scenery. Every season offers something new to discover and protect. As a volunteer, you'll play an important role in ensuring that visitors have a clean, safe, and enjoyable experience while exploring this remarkable national treasure.

Duties:

Volunteers will help maintain visitor facilities and grounds by:

• Cleaning and sanitizing visitor centers, offices, restrooms, pavilions, and public-use areas.
• Stocking restrooms and visitor facilities with necessary supplies.
• Emptying trash and recycling receptacles throughout assigned areas.
• Performing general custodial and janitorial duties to ensure facilities remain clean and welcoming.
• Occasionally using ladders to change light bulbs, clean windows, and reach elevated surfaces.
• Assisting with basic grounds maintenance using equipment such as lawn mowers, string trimmers (weed eaters), and leaf blowers.
• Interacting with visitors in a friendly and professional manner while working in public areas.

Qualifications

• Be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.
• Have experience using common cleaning equipment, vacuum cleaners, hand tools, and power tools.
• Understand the proper use of cleaning and sanitizing products and techniques.
• Be able to operate and maintain powered cleaning equipment.
• Possess strong customer service and communication skills.
• Hold a valid driver's license.
• Be able to perform moderate physical labor, including lifting or moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Transportation: Volunteers will ride passenger ferry from the mainland to the barrier islands.

Job Hazards:

This position involves working outdoors and in public facilities throughout varying weather conditions. Volunteers should be comfortable with:

• Extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting.
• Exposure to sun, heat, humidity, wind, and seasonal weather conditions.
• Occasional exposure to loud equipment noise.
• Biting insects and other outdoor environmental conditions.
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards associated with facility and grounds maintenance activities.

Commitment:

Service Dates: May 29, 2027 – September 11th, 2027

Schedule: 32 hours per week

Workweek: Five days per week

Availability: Weekend and holiday coverage is required as part of the regular schedule.

Amenities:

Volunteers who complete the required 32 hours per week receive:

• A full-hookup RV campsite (water, sewer, and electric included)
• A secure volunteer residential area shared with park staff and fellow volunteers
• A scenic waterfront setting adjacent to a park walking trail
• Access to laundry facilities on site

Please note: RVs must be fully self-contained.

Harkers Island offers grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and other daily necessities within approximately 10 minutes of the park. Additional shopping, medical services, and amenities are available in Beaufort and Morehead City, about 30 to 40 minutes away.

Become a Steward of the Seashore

By volunteering at Cape Lookout National Seashore, you'll help preserve one of North Carolina's most treasured coastal landscapes while enjoying unparalleled access to beaches, wildlife, maritime history, and unforgettable sunsets. Join us and make a meaningful contribution while experiencing the beauty and tranquility of life on the Outer Banks.