The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests offers many opportunities for individuals wanting to get involved in the care and management of the forest. We rely on volunteers to provide us with assistance in a number of areas ranging from youth programs to campgoround hosts. Please see below for current volunteer outreach notices, or contact your local ranger station to inquire about opportunities.

To learn more about the Forest Service's volunteer program, please visit the agency's Volunteers webpage.

Current Volunteer Outreach Notices

North Fork Ranger District: 

• Kelly Forks Work Center

The work center is situated in a remote and peaceful setting at the confluence of Kelly Creek and the North Fork of the Clearwater River. The area is known worldwide as a blue-ribbon fishery for West Slope Cutthroat Trout, and the beautiful crystal-clear waters are just a stone's throw from the work center. A wide variety of wildlife including elk, white-tailed and mule deer, black bear, wolf, cougar, bobcat, mountain goat, moose, eagle, otter, marten, fisher, osprey, raven, king fisher, dippers and many more call the surrounding steep, densely vegetated river valleys home. Enjoy your mornings, evenings, and break time fishing, hiking, or walking along the river! This location is made for the nature lover!

EXPECTED DUTIES:

Selected candidate will be expected to:

• Represent the Forest Service in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner

• Manage inventory and sales of visitor center merchandise

• Light cleaning to keep visitor area clean (sweeping, disinfecting surfaces, etc.)

• Provide their own RV or camp trailer and UTV/ATV, if desired. The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted. ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles must meet Idaho State law (must be street legal) in order to ride on State and Forest Service roads. Pets may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. All pets must be on a leash, including volunteer’s pets.

• The successful candidate must have or complete the following before starting work:

• Valid state driver’s license

• Valid First Aid and CPR certification (may be provided)

OPTIONAL DUTIES (IF APPLICANT WANTS ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE)

• Assist with facility maintenance at center grounds including, but not limited to: removal of debris and

garbage, general cleaning in the visitor area including: sweeping, daily maintenance of restrooms, mowing and weed-eating, and other light site maintenance as necessary

• Maintenance of pollinator garden

• Provide radio communications for the work center with staff and dispatch as needed

• Identify operational/maintenance problems and report to appropriate staff

• Maintain informational signs in and around the work center

SCHEDULES:

Volunteer schedule is flexible and negotiable, and multiple volunteers may be brought on to staff the center if needed. The visitor area of the work center is typically staffed from approximately June through September, Thursdays-Sundays. Priority dates are holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day), as visitor activity is typically highest during these periods. Volunteer time commitments can be adjusted to meet individual schedules; however, our goal is to staff the center Thursdays thru Mondays from 8am-4pm. Volunteers are not required to stay on site during days off. Exact start and end dates, and hours worked, are negotiable.

SERVICES PROVIDED TO VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteer is welcome and encouraged to attend district orientation, which is typically held late May into early June, check with the above contact for more information. These sessions allow volunteers to meet other district personnel and attend trainings in first aid, CPR, communication protocols, and a review of district

program highlights.

Volunteers are provided with required safety training and orientations for all assigned tasks. Equipment required for the positions include: a Forest Service radio for daily check ins, an area map, a volunteer vest and

hat, leather work gloves, disposable latex gloves, and cleaning supplies.

Volunteer is provided a designated camping spot. Depending on the site, water, sewer, and electric hookups may be available, propane tanks may also be provided. These sites are free for the duration of their volunteer agreement. Volunteers may be reimbursed for food and gas (approximately $24-$28/day, depending on the site). Reimbursements for 2024 will be discussed with applicants prior to selection, additional pay may be available.

TO APPLY: Please contact Emily Johnson at emily.judson@usda.gov or (208) 476-8226. In addition, we ask that applicants complete the following and submit by email or in person at the North Fork Ranger District office (12740 Highway 12, Orofino, ID 83544):

• Volunteer application (OF301) form (available online, or from the Forest in electronic or hardcopy format, see contact above)

• Resume with references

Applications are accepted as for as long as positions are vacant. We prefer to make a selection by mid-May

 

 

Campground Hosts

We are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about sharing the benefits of National Forest System Lands with visitors!  Volunteer campground host opportunities are available for the 2024 seasons at the following locations: 

 

Lochsa/Powell:  Contact: kayti.lavicky@usda.gov  208-942-0355 

• Wilderness Gateway Campground: Click here for more information.  

• Powell Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

Moose Creek Ranger Districts: Contact: kayti.lavicky@usda.gov  208-942-0355 

• O’Hara Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

North Fork Ranger District: Contact: nicholas.minor@usda.gov 208-875-1724 

• Washington Creek Campground: Click here for more information. 

• Kelly Forks Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

Palouse Ranger District: Contact: nicholas.minor@usda.gov  208-875-1724, 

• Elk Creek Campground: Click here for more information. 

• Laird Park Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

Salmon River Ranger District: Contact: tristan.riener@usda.gov  208-983-4018, 

• Fish Creek Campground: Click here for more information. 

• Spring Bar Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

Red River Ranger District: Contact: tristan.riener@usda.gov  208-983-4018, 

• Red River Campground: Click here for more information. 

 

HOST DUTIES: 

Selected candidates will be expected to: 

• Wear a volunteer uniform and represent the Forest Service in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner, while conducting visitor contacts. 

• Conduct daily campground rounds, initiating contacts to share information about recreation opportunities, answer questions and encourage visitors to comply with forest regulations. 

• Identify operational/maintenance problems and assist in implementing solutions. 

• Maintain informational signs in and around the campground. 

• Maintain tools and equipment in serviceable condition. 

• Monitor campground sites for fee compliance and record daily occupancy levels. 

• Manage daily visitor site reservations and assist visitors in locating reserved campsites. 

• Assist with facility maintenance at campgrounds including, but not limited to: removal of debris and garbage from fire rings, campsites and surrounding grounds, sweeping and washing debris from picnic tables, daily maintenance of restrooms, mowing and weed-eating, sanding and painting site posts and picnic tables, filling potholes, and other light site maintenance as necessary. 

• Provide their own RV or camp trailer and UTV/ATV, if desired. The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted. Previous hosts have found the use of ATV's or UTV's to be extremely helpful in performing their duties. ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles must meet Idaho State law (must be street legal) to ride on State and Forest Service roads.  Pets may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.  All pets in the campground must be on a leash, including host’s pets.  

 

• The successful candidate must have or complete the following before starting work (training may be available with the Forest Service): 

• Valid state driver’s license 

• Valid First Aid certification 

• Valid CPR certification 

SCHEDULES: 

Host opportunities typically run from approximately mid May through mid September, with a minimum 1 month commitment (3 months preferred). Hosts typically volunteer four to five days a week, including weekends and holidays, working on average, 4-5 hours per day, (20 hours per week). Hosts are on duty in the morning and evening, during daylight hours.  Days off are taken mid-week on Tues/Wed or Wed/Thurs.   Hosts are not required to stay on site during their days off.  Exact start and end dates are negotiable. 

SERVICES PROVIDED TO HOSTS:   

Campground Hosts are welcome and encouraged to attend district orientation, which is typically held late May into early June, dates will vary based on location check with the above contacts for more information. These sessions allow hosts to meet other district personnel and attend trainings in first aid, CPR, communication protocols, and a review of district program highlights.   

Volunteers are provided with required safety training and orientations for all assigned tasks. Equipment required for the positions include: a Forest Service radio for daily check ins, an area map, a volunteer vest and hat, leather work gloves, disposable latex gloves, cleaning supplies, and Hepatitis A&B vaccinations.  

Hosts are provided a designated camping spot. Depending on the site, water, sewer and electric hookups may be available, propane tanks may also be provided.  These sites are free for the duration of their volunteer agreement.  Hosts may be reimbursed for food and gas (approximately $24-$28/day, depending on the site).  Reimbursements for 2024 will be discussed with applicants prior to selection.  

TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a completed: 

• Volunteer application (OF301) form (available online, or from the Forest in electronic or hardcopy format) 

• Resume with related past work or volunteer experience, and three references. 

Applications are accepted as for as long as positions are vacant.  Applications are typically reviewed in March, with hosts selected in early April. 

SCHEDULES

Host opportunities typically run from approximately mid May through mid September with a minimum 1 month commitment (3 months preferred). Hosts typically volunteer five days a week, including weekends and holidays, working on average, 4-5 hours per day, (20 hours per week). Hosts are typically on duty in the morning and evening, during daylight hours. Days off are taken mid-week on Tues/Wed or Wed/Thurs. Hosts are not required to stay on site during their days off. Exact start and end dates are negotiable.

SERVICES PROVIDED TO HOSTS

Campground Hosts are welcome and encouraged to attend district orientation, which is typically held during the last week of May or first week of June. These sessions allow hosts to meet other district personnel and attend training in: first aid, CPR, communication protocols, and a review of district program highlights. COVID precautions may alter the orientation format, but hosts will be invited to join sessions whether conducted online or in person.

Volunteers are provided with required safety training and orientations for all assigned tasks. Equipment required for the positions include: a Forest Service radio for daily check ins, an area map, a volunteer vest and hat, leather work gloves, disposable latex gloves, cleaning supplies, and Hepatitis A&B vaccinations. We successfully operated campgrounds in 2020 and 2021 without transmission of COVID to hosts and we will be utilizing similar operating procedures in 2022.

Hosts are provided a designated camping spot.  Depending on the site, water and sewer hookups may be available. These sites are free for the duration of their volunteer agreement. Hosts may be reimbursed for food and gas (approximately $24-$28/day, depending on the site). Reimbursements for 2022 will be discussed with applicants prior to selection.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit a completed:

• Volunteer application (OF301) form (available online or by contacting a Forest Service office)
• Resume with related past work or volunteer experience and three references

Applications are accepted as for as long as positions are vacant. Applications are typically reviewed in March, with hosts selected in early April.