Turnbull NWR Maintenance Assistant (2025)

Facility

A drake redhead on wetland at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 23,000 acres in eastern Washington on the edge of the Columbia River Basin. The Channeled Scablands ecosystem that predominates the Refuge is unique within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Ponderosa pine, wetlands, meadow steppe and riparian...
National Wildlife Refuge
Cheney,WA

Location

Address

26010 South Smith Rd
Cheney, WA 99004
United States

Date Range
-

Volunteer Position Overview

Volunteers Needed
-
Recruitment Start Date
Recruitment End Date
Days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Training Required
No
Security Clearance Needed
Yes
Virtual
No
Apply Now

About This Position

Spend your days in the unique landscape of the Channeled Scablands at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge!


Volunteers needed for the following 6-month commitments: May - October 2025. Shorter, 3-month commitments (May-July, August-October) are also being considered.


This position assists the maintenance staff with various tasks and projects, including, but not limited to:

  • fencing repair
  • parking lot maintenance
  • tractor operation (seeding & disking)
  • basic vehicle maintenance
  • grounds keeping
  • trail maintenance
  • road maintenance
  • carpentry


Desired (but not required) qualifications:

  • Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
  • ATV/UTV training
  • Equipment operation training or experience
  • Experience performing basic maintenance tasks
  • Proficiency with hand and power tools
  • Specialized trade experience welcome (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding)


This position is located at the headquarters and administration area within Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes administrative offices, a visitor contact station, and a small bookstore operated by the Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. To learn more about the refuge go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/turnbull.


Environmental hazards include inclement weather, wildfire risk, and exposure to ticks.


Schedule is typically 4 days on and 3 days off. Day to day schedule varies. Couples will work the same days but may not have the same daily schedule. This position requires 24 hours/week per resident. Exact start and end dates negotiable.


The location of the refuge is about 40 minutes southwest of Spokane, WA. The closest municipality is the town of Cheney, WA, which hosts several grocery stores, a university, and other services. Nearby recreational opportunities include Riverside State Park (40 minutes) and Mount Spokane State Park (1 hour). Several other parks, refuges, and public lands exist within a half-day's drive. Many of these locations have opportunities for hiking, water sports, and mountain biking. The city of Coeur d'Alene, ID is next closest major metropolitan area.


RV or motor home utility hook-ups for electric, water, and sewage available. No propane.


When applying please provide contact information for three references. Two references should be professional. If applying as couple please provide both applicant names.


For questions about this position, please contact:


Joshua Contois

Visitor Services Manager, Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex

joshua_contois@fws.gov

(509) 559-3034

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