Can I volunteer with the USGS?
Volunteer.gov is the best starting point for volunteer positions with the USGS and other federal agencies. However, many USGS volunteer positions are not formally announced, so they do not appear on that site. You can contact a local USGS office directly to ask about possible volunteer opportunities.
Another way to get involved in USGS science is through one of our Citizen Science programs or partnerships.
Related Content
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Can I join the USGS?
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
Can I visit a USGS office?
Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data?
Where are USGS offices located?
How do I contact the USGS?
Where can I find information on employment with the USGS?
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
Citizen science collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska
Citizen science is science undertaken by the public, usually in collaboration with professional scientific institutions. It encourages citizens to tackle real-world scientific problems and augments traditional science by expanding the coverage of data collection and by reducing costs of fieldwork in remote locations. Information collected by...
Powers, Elizabeth; Williams, Dee
Structures data collection for the national map using volunteered geographic information
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has historically sponsored volunteered data collection projects to enhance its topographic paper and digital map products. This report describes one phase of an ongoing project to encourage volunteers to contribute data to The National Map using online editing tools. The USGS recruited students studying geographic...
Poore, Barbara S.; Wolf, Eric B.; Korris, Erin M.; Walter, Jennifer L.; Matthews, Greg D.
Volunteering to Map the Nation
As the USGS continues to celebrate “Mapping Month”, we again promote noteworthy contributors to The National Map Corps “crowdsourcing” project.
Volunteering for Science
Citizen Scientists edit structures to improve US Topo Maps and along the way earn virtual badges.
Volunteering for Science
The National Map Corps recognizes major volunteers to national mapping efforts
The National Map Corps Mapping Challenge
Results of the Pennsylvania and New York Law Enforcement Mapping Challenges Released
Citizen Scientists to Monitor Treasure Valley Water Quality
Now in its ninth year, Watershed Watch educates children and adults about the health of the Boise River watershed
Citizen Science: For Citizens, Science, and the Planet
Citizen science — scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, usually in collaboration with scientific institutions — is a grassroots approach to natural science. It educates and engages the public by encouraging ordinary citizens to use their interests and their talents in tackling a wide range of real-world problems.
Citizen Scientists Submit More Than 100,000 Map Points
The U.S. Geological Survey citizen science project, The National Map Corps, has realized remarkable response. In less than two years, the volunteer-based project has harvested more than 100,000 “points”. Hundreds of volunteer cartographers are making significant additions to the USGS ability to provide accurate mapping information to the public.
Crowd-Sourcing the Nation: USGS Seeking More Volunteers
The USGS is expanding its crowd-sourcing of geographic data and is seeking more volunteers to contribute structures information to 16 more states.
The National Map Corps - Volunteers Receive Recognition
Citizen volunteers are making significant additions to the U.S. Geological Survey's ability to provide accurate information to the public. Using crowd sourcing techniques, the USGS project known as The National Map Corps (TNMC) encourages citizen volunteers to collect manmade structure data in an effort to provide accurate and authoritative spatial map data for the National...
Crowd-Sourcing the Nation: Using Volunteers for Enhanced Data Collection
The USGS is expanding the involvement of volunteers to enhance data collection about structures for The National Map.
A Big Day for Science: Citizens Have Contributed One Million Observations to Top Nature Database
RESTON, Va. — Thanks to citizen-scientists around the country, the USA National Phenology Network hit a major milestone this week by reaching its one millionth nature observation.
Congressional Briefing -- Citizen Science and Earthquakes: Reducing the Risk Through the Power of People
In the United States, 1 in 4 people live with the risk of earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are designing innovative tools to better detect earthquakes and share critical information. The involvement of citizens is key, as decisions made before and immediately after an earthquake can save lives and protect property.
Volunteers look for ectoparasites on a palila
Volunteers Monitor Bird and Beach Health
Volunteer, Bob Schutt, walks his assigned beach on Lake Michigan to monitor bird health and beach conditions as part of a citizen science program called AMBLE.
Volunteers Monitor Bird and Beach Health
Volunteer, Patrick Sullivan, looks for birds while monitoring his assigned beach on Lake Michigan as part of a citizen science program called AMBLE.
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
The Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bison
USGS volunteer, Halle Poppaw, observes/counts members of a large bison group on TNC’s Medano Ranch. USGS photo by Kate Schoenecker.
Nature's Altered Seasons
Early cherry blossoms and flower blooms and record high temperatures nationwide highlight a phenomenon everyone already seems to know, but science has confirmed -- spring is coming earlier in the year almost everywhere. During this lecture, Dr. Jake Weltzin gives an overview of the USGS sponsored USA National Phenology Network, a national effort to help track the timing of
Student volunteer measuring soil moisture and greenhouse gases
Student volunteer measuring soil moisture & greenhouse gases.
USGS volunteer helping with ET site installation, Stump Spring, NV
USGS volunteer Carole Moreo assisting with installation of an evapotranspiration site at Stump Spring, Nev.
Volunteer Information Program logo with badges
Volunteer Information Program logo with badges
Eskimo Volunteers Helping with Banding
Two Yupik Eskimo students from Chevak, Alaska holding a tundra swan cygnet. These student volunteers were helping with an annual USGS waterfowl banding program along the Kashunuk River near the Bering Sea coast in western Alaska.