Visitor Services Volunteer 2026 - Locals Only

Carlsbad Caverns National Park receives around 500,000 visitors annually to explore the unique limestone caverns formed within an ancient reef. Volunteers will support the Division of Visitor Services with frontline park operations at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center.

Duties:

• Station the visitor center information desk to greet visitors and provide information the about park. Visitor contacts can be in-person and over the phone.
• Rove the cavern trails to engage with visitors, clean up litter and minor spills, and report issues such as injured hikers or resource damage.
• Manage the historic Underground Lunchroom information desk to provide directions and answer questions for visitors inside the cavern.
• Engage with young visitors during their completion of the Junior Ranger activity booklet.
• Walk the 0.5-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail to engage with hikers, clean up litter, and report any issues such as injured hikers or resource damage.
• Host short interpretive programming such as table talks, map talks, and pop-ups.
• Support the King’s Palace Ranger-Guided Tour as the “trail” ranger to ensure visitors are following park rules while the lead rangers present their program.
• Participate in evening Bat Flight programs as an additional "rove" ranger to maintain visitor compliance to park rules and answer questions about the Brazilian free-tailed bats.
• Assist in outreach activities at local community events.

A 2-week training period will be provided to introduce knowledge about the park, operations, and additional skills for success in the position. Volunteer duties may involve prolonged exposure to high-humidity cavern environments under low light conditions. Flashlights must be used when lighting is insufficient to safely navigate. The cavern trails can be steep and strenuous with a 20% slope. Some sections of the trail will be wet and slippery from the natural cave drippings.

Location:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is at an elevation of 4400 feet, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine, low humidity, and approximately 10 inches of rainfall each year. Windy conditions and occasional dust storms can occur. The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert which is home to several species of spiny plants and venomous wildlife. The nearest city is Carlsbad, New Mexico, located approximately 27 miles from the park. An employee carpool shuttle service will be offered from the park administrative headquarters in town to the visitor center.

This recruitment is for local community members. Park housing is not provided.

If you are not a local of Carlsbad, NM and need park housing, please see this recruitment opportunity page.

Commitment and Requirement:

Volunteers will be scheduled for a minimum of one full workday (8-hour) per week. We also ask for a minimum of a 3-months commitment for scheduling consistency. A security background check will be required for access to federal facilities and working with children. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.