USGS volunteer Kili sampling eDNA from a rock pool along the Puka stream. The eDNA sampled by USGS field crews helps to inform research on invasive mosquito population dynamics.
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
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate? Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Can I join the USGS? Can I join the USGS?
As a science agency for the United States government, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves all United States citizens. The USGS can only be “joined” by its employees, but citizens can get involved in USGS research through its Citizen Science programs . Some USGS Citizen Science opportunities are also listed at Volunteer.gov. In addition: Keep up with the latest USGS science by subscribing to...
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes? Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office? Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data? Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data?
Volunteers assist on some USGS projects. In all cases, the volunteers are carefully trained and are supervised by a federal employee while they work. To ensure quality-control, data collected by volunteers are checked by USGS supervisors. Volunteers must abide by the same rules, regulations, policies, and laws as employees. Some USGS volunteer opportunities are advertised at Volunteer.gov. Most of...
Where are USGS offices located? Where are USGS offices located?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has offices in every state. Our headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. Need to contact a specific USGS office? Each Science Center has contact information listed on their "Connect" page. If you need assistance finding contact information for a Science Center or office, fill out the "General Questions" section on our Contact Us page, and USGS Science...
How do I contact the USGS? How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, message us through this website. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in our online Staff Profiles. USGS offices are located in every state. Please note, however, that most of them perform...
Where can I find information on employment with the USGS? Where can I find information on employment with the USGS?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a Federal science agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students? Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
USGS Volunteer sampling eDNA
USGS volunteer Kili sampling eDNA from a rock pool along the Puka stream. The eDNA sampled by USGS field crews helps to inform research on invasive mosquito population dynamics.
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayu
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into CayuStaff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayuga Lake.
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayu
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into CayuStaff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayuga Lake.
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various components of a deposit from a Kīlauea Volcano eruption.
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various components of a deposit from a Kīlauea Volcano eruption.
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History MuseumThe Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History MuseumThe Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bison
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bisonUSGS volunteer, Halle Poppaw, observes/counts members of a large bison group on TNC’s Medano Ranch. USGS photo by Kate Schoenecker.
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bison
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bisonUSGS volunteer, Halle Poppaw, observes/counts members of a large bison group on TNC’s Medano Ranch. USGS photo by Kate Schoenecker.
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen science
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen scienceMap showing locations of USGS NetQuakes recorders and epicenter of M3.2 earthquake occurring on April 3, 2013. Around the map are plots of the strongest shaking recorded at each of the NetQuakes sites associated with this earthquake. The plots are not adjusted to reflect differences in shaking among the individual sites.
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen science
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen scienceMap showing locations of USGS NetQuakes recorders and epicenter of M3.2 earthquake occurring on April 3, 2013. Around the map are plots of the strongest shaking recorded at each of the NetQuakes sites associated with this earthquake. The plots are not adjusted to reflect differences in shaking among the individual sites.
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.
By
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.
By
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.
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.
Related
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate? Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Can I join the USGS? Can I join the USGS?
As a science agency for the United States government, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves all United States citizens. The USGS can only be “joined” by its employees, but citizens can get involved in USGS research through its Citizen Science programs . Some USGS Citizen Science opportunities are also listed at Volunteer.gov. In addition: Keep up with the latest USGS science by subscribing to...
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes? Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office? Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data? Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data?
Volunteers assist on some USGS projects. In all cases, the volunteers are carefully trained and are supervised by a federal employee while they work. To ensure quality-control, data collected by volunteers are checked by USGS supervisors. Volunteers must abide by the same rules, regulations, policies, and laws as employees. Some USGS volunteer opportunities are advertised at Volunteer.gov. Most of...
Where are USGS offices located? Where are USGS offices located?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has offices in every state. Our headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. Need to contact a specific USGS office? Each Science Center has contact information listed on their "Connect" page. If you need assistance finding contact information for a Science Center or office, fill out the "General Questions" section on our Contact Us page, and USGS Science...
How do I contact the USGS? How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, message us through this website. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in our online Staff Profiles. USGS offices are located in every state. Please note, however, that most of them perform...
Where can I find information on employment with the USGS? Where can I find information on employment with the USGS?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a Federal science agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students? Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
USGS Volunteer sampling eDNA
USGS volunteer Kili sampling eDNA from a rock pool along the Puka stream. The eDNA sampled by USGS field crews helps to inform research on invasive mosquito population dynamics.
USGS volunteer Kili sampling eDNA from a rock pool along the Puka stream. The eDNA sampled by USGS field crews helps to inform research on invasive mosquito population dynamics.
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayu
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into CayuStaff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayuga Lake.
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayu
Staff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into CayuStaff from NYSDEC and volunteers release 2,500 lake sturgeon into Cayuga Lake.
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various components of a deposit from a Kīlauea Volcano eruption.
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...
An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various...An HVO volunteer uses a stereoscopic microscope to sort the various components of a deposit from a Kīlauea Volcano eruption.
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History MuseumThe Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
USGS Volunteer Student at the Smithsonian Natural History MuseumThe Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bison
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bisonUSGS volunteer, Halle Poppaw, observes/counts members of a large bison group on TNC’s Medano Ranch. USGS photo by Kate Schoenecker.
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bison
USGS volunteer observes/counts members of a large bisonUSGS volunteer, Halle Poppaw, observes/counts members of a large bison group on TNC’s Medano Ranch. USGS photo by Kate Schoenecker.
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen science
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen scienceMap showing locations of USGS NetQuakes recorders and epicenter of M3.2 earthquake occurring on April 3, 2013. Around the map are plots of the strongest shaking recorded at each of the NetQuakes sites associated with this earthquake. The plots are not adjusted to reflect differences in shaking among the individual sites.
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen science
NetQuakes—Extending seismic monitoring with citizen scienceMap showing locations of USGS NetQuakes recorders and epicenter of M3.2 earthquake occurring on April 3, 2013. Around the map are plots of the strongest shaking recorded at each of the NetQuakes sites associated with this earthquake. The plots are not adjusted to reflect differences in shaking among the individual sites.
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.
By
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.
By
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.
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.
Updated Date: September 29, 2025