Specialized Volunteer Positions

Volunteers who are trained to staff the Mississippi River Visitor Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota can sign up for shifts through the button on the left. MRVC volunteers commit to a recurring weekly shift.

Volunteer crew leaders commit to attending a few large group habitat restoration events per month, April through October. At events, volunteer crew leaders assist general volunteers in plant identification, invasive species removal and planting techniques. Volunteers must be comfortable working in variable weather conditions and spending time standing, crouching and walking on uneven ground. Crew leaders are models for safety and strong work ethics – as a crew leader, you can inspire others to become stewards of the Mississippi River!

If you are interested in becoming a crew leader for the National Park, please email volunteer@parkconnection.org.

Trails & Rails (T&R) is a partnership program between Amtrak and the National Park Service. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area volunteers board Amtrak's Empire Builder to share stories about national, state and local parks as well as places of interest along the route.

A call for new and interested T&R volunteers happens in the winter with training in the spring. Minimum qualifications for a T&R volunteer include having completed 25-hours of volunteer service with Mississippi National River and Recreation Area within the past three years of spring training. T&R volunteers must be willing to: complete all required trainings, complete a background investigation, and commit to a minimum of 8 trips during the summer season (approx. late April/early May through late August/early September).

T&R trips involve a minimum of a 15-hour volunteer day with another volunteer and can be longer depending upon the operation of the trains; volunteers need to arrive at Saint Paul Union Depot at approximately 8:00 a.m. and expect to be leaving the depot no earlier than 10:30 p.m. Shifts are scheduled Monday - Wednesday and are subject to change.

The Paddle with a Ranger series has two routes: (1) Vermillion River Bottoms (VRB) in Hastings and (2) Paddle Share’s City route that starts at North Mississippi Regional Park and ends at Boom Island Park. Programs are offered on Thursdays and Saturday-Monday with varied start times.

Volunteers are expected to support National Park Service staff in preparing boats for launch, resetting boats after the program, greeting participants, assisting participants in equipment use, promoting responsible recreation practices, communicating NPS staff about potential safety concerns, and providing informal interpretation to participants. We ask that volunteers average one paddle per week. All safety equipment and watercraft will be provided; we ask the volunteers to use their own water shoes if available.

New for the 2025 season: Join our team as a Back-Up Paddle Volunteer! In this role, you'll be on standby to support our paddling operations by stepping in as a volunteer if the primary volunteer cancels or NPS staff have reduced staff capacity—whether in advance or last-minute. We ask that you only sign up for a Back-Up Paddle Volunteer shift if you can commit to the full shift if contacted to fill in, ensuring you can provide seamless support and minimize disruptions. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while playing a crucial role in maintaining our program’s success.

Back-up Paddle Volunteers will be bcc'ed on the participant email for situational awareness of paddle program conditions (in addition to the scheduled volunteer). Back-up Paddle Volunteers will be notified via email and/or phone call as soon as NPS staff are aware the volunteer is needed. If you do not hear from staff two hours before the program start time, your support is not needed.