Education Volunteer

oin the National Park Service at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge as a volunteer with our education team and help to introduce the wonders of the natural world to New York City’s youth.

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is an urban paradise with over 9000 acres of conserved wetland habitats. These habitats provide a safe home and critical migratory stopover for over 300 species of birds, including Snow Geese, Osprey, and Peregrine Falcons. As an education volunteer, you will connect New York City youth to the nature that lives in their backyard.

The primary responsibility of the Education Program Assistant is to support the Gateway National Recreation Area’s education team within the Jamaica Bay Unit of the park. The education volunteer will assist with managing classes of students visiting the park, help deliver curriculum, assist with the setup and breakdown of education materials, and coordinate and schedule programming with schools. The position also includes beach cleanups, gardening duties with student volunteers in our pollinator garden, and other youth-oriented tasks.

Skills that would be useful: Experience in public speaking, time management, problem solving, communication & interpersonal skills, organization, and collaboration. Experience in environmental conservation, beach clean-up efforts, outdoor education, or related field. Ability to work independently with little or no supervision. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions. Customer service-oriented with a positive attitude. Knowledge of coastal ecosystems, marine debris, and the impacts of pollution on wildlife within the park, would be helpful but not necessary. Enthusiasm for environmental conservation and sustainable practices. A background check may be required.