To Volunteer for National Service Us Citizens Can

Wondering how to become an international volunteer with the National Park Service? Follow these simple steps!

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have the appropriate visa to volunteer for the U.S. National Park Service.

B) Read this of import information: How to receive the proper visa. Before you can begin volunteering with national parks or monuments in the U.s., y’all must coordinate your volunteer position through the NPS IVIP coordinator. This is essential considering Immigration laws require strange nationals to have the appropriate blazon of visa earlier volunteering with an bureau of the U.S. Government. In order to obtain the proper visa you must go through the application steps below. In most cases, you volition demand a J1 (substitution visitor) visa in gild to legally volunteer. Those with F-one Visas may participate in CPT or OPT status. Earlier agreeing to sponsor y’all for a J1 visa, NPS must determine if you fit into 1 of the J1 categories, which NPS is authorized past the Country Section to employ. Unfortunately, not all applicants encounter the requirements of NPS’southward designated J1 categories. To make up one’s mind if you authorize for an NPS J1 visa, follow the instructions below.

Step one: Submit the following to the NPS IVIP Coordinator:

· Submit an IVIP application

· Resume/CV

· Copies of Degrees or Transcripts or proof of employment

· Proof of outside or personal funding, if any, that volition be used to support the programme. Appropriate documents include: Bank statements, notice of scholarship or authorities funding, or signed letter of the alphabet from employer stating support for volunteer program.

The IVIP Coordinator volition review your application, your budget, your professional and immigration history to see if you qualify for a J-1 visa or if y’all currently have an F-one visa. You must meet the requirements to exist an international volunteer. If you lot receive a positive response, proceed to Step 2.

Stride 2: Piece of work with IVIP Coordinator to find an NPS unit of measurement to host you lot. You may likewise search on your own for a position at a park that interests you (by searching yourself, you will more than likely exist able to find a position quicker). A good manner to search for positions is at the National Park Service Volunteer Website. If you lot see a position listed which yous desire to apply for, contact the IVIP Coordinator, who volition forward your request to the respective NPS unit or office. (NPS volunteer positions are too listed on a The states Government volunteer website. However, NPS can simply assist you with openings at US National Park units.) If a park agrees to host y’all as a volunteer, the NPS IVIP Coordinator will contact y’all with an offer to volunteer in the Park. If you lot accept, then you must go to the next step. (NOTE — Please remember that there is no guarantee that a park will select y’all for a particular volunteer position. Do non make whatsoever plans until the Park has notified you of your selection.)

Step iii: Obtain a Medical Insurance Policy. All IVIPs are required to accept Medical Insurance. Read more virtually the specific requirements here: Required Insurance. In one case you have this coverage you must send proof of your insurance coverage to the Volunteer Coordinator at the Park where you want to volunteer. When this is received, the supervisor will send you your Visa Application, proof of insurance, a position clarification, and a training plan (written past the supervisor) to the Office of International Diplomacy (OIA) and they will send the necessary documents(DS-2019) to you lot in your country which must be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you lot live in society to receive your visa.

Stride 4: NPS IVIP Coordinator in Washington, DC sends yous the DS-2019 visa class. The DS-2019 visa documents from the Role of International Diplomacy (OIA) will get in at your country 4-6 weeks subsequently the park supervisor sends them to the OIA.

Step 5: Make an appointment with the U.South. Embassy or Consulate for an interview You will need to take the DS-2019 to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your state where they volition process it and requite y’all your visa. Before you get to the Embassy, you should call to brand an appointment. Look at least 3 to 4 weeks before they tin can schedule you to come in.

Step 6: Come up to the U.S. and your park and have your supervisor notify the IVIP Coordinator of your arrival!After you have received your visa, contact the supervisor at the park where you will be volunteering to become more information about your assignment, living arrangements, logistical concerns, etc. As shortly as yous arrive at your park, take your supervisor notify the IVIP Coordinator. The IVIP coordinator must record your official starting date in the State Department visa system, chosen SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.)