Employment Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in working with us at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens.
All positions are filled.
Please check this site again for future positions that have been posted.
All positions are filled.
Please check this site again for future positions that have been posted.
Host Camper Opportunities
We have host camper positions open for 3 - 4 month stays.
June 1 through December 31, 2026.
Please contact [email protected] for information.
Host Camper Position
Enjoy cool summer temps. in the Davis Mtns., TX. The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens has the following openings for Host Camper(s).
June – August 2026
September – December 2026
Work as Information Desk & Gift Shop Host at the Visitor Center, Thurs.-Saturday (24 hrs./wk.). Includes RV pad, septic, access to a bathroom with shower, and washer/dryer. A stipend is included. Located at 5,100 ft. elevation, 4 miles SE of Fort Davis, TX.
The 507-acre site has 5+ miles of hiking trails, a botanical garden, a cactus greenhouse, a bird blind, and a mining exhibit. www.cdri.org.
Nearby Destinations:
The National Historic Site – Fort Davis 5 miles
Davis Mountains State Park 8 miles
The Univ. of Texas McDonald Observatory 20 miles
Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 20 miles
Chinati Museum, the Judd Block, Marfa, TX 20 miles
Balmorhea State Park 35 miles
Big Bend National Park 95 miles
Big Bend Ranch State Park 110 miles
The historic town of Fort Davis has a gas station, auto repair center, grocery store, restaurants, and shopping.
Contact Lisa at [email protected]. References from past HC provided on request.
June 1 through December 31, 2026.
Please contact [email protected] for information.
Host Camper Position
Enjoy cool summer temps. in the Davis Mtns., TX. The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens has the following openings for Host Camper(s).
June – August 2026
September – December 2026
Work as Information Desk & Gift Shop Host at the Visitor Center, Thurs.-Saturday (24 hrs./wk.). Includes RV pad, septic, access to a bathroom with shower, and washer/dryer. A stipend is included. Located at 5,100 ft. elevation, 4 miles SE of Fort Davis, TX.
The 507-acre site has 5+ miles of hiking trails, a botanical garden, a cactus greenhouse, a bird blind, and a mining exhibit. www.cdri.org.
Nearby Destinations:
The National Historic Site – Fort Davis 5 miles
Davis Mountains State Park 8 miles
The Univ. of Texas McDonald Observatory 20 miles
Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 20 miles
Chinati Museum, the Judd Block, Marfa, TX 20 miles
Balmorhea State Park 35 miles
Big Bend National Park 95 miles
Big Bend Ranch State Park 110 miles
The historic town of Fort Davis has a gas station, auto repair center, grocery store, restaurants, and shopping.
Contact Lisa at [email protected]. References from past HC provided on request.
Volunteer Opportunities
With 3 full-time and 2 part-time employees, the Nature Center counts on the valued assistance from volunteers for everything from Information Desk Host to leading a Learning Station at one of our day-long programs to helping with our Cookout & Auction fundraiser and everything in between. If you would like to learn more about volunteering and joining the team, please email [email protected].
Powell Visitor Center Information Desk & Gift Shop Possibly the most important volunteer position at CDRI starts at the Information Desk. You will greet and welcome visitors to the Nature Center, inform visitors of their many options for hiking trails, touring the Botanical Gardens and Cactus Greenhouse, exploring the history of mining at the Mining Exhibit, or venturing up to the Overlook to take in the Geology Exhibit. If you have an area of particular interest (birding, butterflies, plants, geology), you can always share that information with interested guests. The Gift Shop is a "must stop and shop" attraction as well. The Gift Shop has one of the best Nature-related book selections in the region, in addition to gifts that are unique to our Nature Center.
Certified Interpretive Guide Lead youth and adult groups along the Modesta Canyon Trail, up to the Geology Exhibit at Clayton's Overlook for a panoramic view of the region or through the Botanical Gardens and Cactus Greenhouse. Along the way, you can stop at specific locations to point out interesting facts about the geology, water flow, animals that inhabit the area, and specific plants along the trail. We offer training throughout the year for our Certified Interpretive Trail and Botanical Garden Guides.
Special Events:
CDRI's BBQ & Auction
Day-Long school field days: Bugs Bugs Bugs Day, The Earth Rocks, Herp Day, Living Things, Bird Sleuth and Critter Camp
CDRI's Annual Cactus & Succulent Sale in March
The Conant Guest Lecture Program (April & October)
Adult learning workshops throughout the year
Additional Volunteer Activities:
Making walking sticks, gardening, helping build and repair structures, and trail maintenance.
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With 3 full-time and 2 part-time employees, the Nature Center counts on the valued assistance from volunteers for everything from Information Desk Host to leading a Learning Station at one of our day-long programs to helping with our Cookout & Auction fundraiser and everything in between. If you would like to learn more about volunteering and joining the team, please email [email protected].
Powell Visitor Center Information Desk & Gift Shop Possibly the most important volunteer position at CDRI starts at the Information Desk. You will greet and welcome visitors to the Nature Center, inform visitors of their many options for hiking trails, touring the Botanical Gardens and Cactus Greenhouse, exploring the history of mining at the Mining Exhibit, or venturing up to the Overlook to take in the Geology Exhibit. If you have an area of particular interest (birding, butterflies, plants, geology), you can always share that information with interested guests. The Gift Shop is a "must stop and shop" attraction as well. The Gift Shop has one of the best Nature-related book selections in the region, in addition to gifts that are unique to our Nature Center.
Certified Interpretive Guide Lead youth and adult groups along the Modesta Canyon Trail, up to the Geology Exhibit at Clayton's Overlook for a panoramic view of the region or through the Botanical Gardens and Cactus Greenhouse. Along the way, you can stop at specific locations to point out interesting facts about the geology, water flow, animals that inhabit the area, and specific plants along the trail. We offer training throughout the year for our Certified Interpretive Trail and Botanical Garden Guides.
Special Events:
CDRI's BBQ & Auction
Day-Long school field days: Bugs Bugs Bugs Day, The Earth Rocks, Herp Day, Living Things, Bird Sleuth and Critter Camp
CDRI's Annual Cactus & Succulent Sale in March
The Conant Guest Lecture Program (April & October)
Adult learning workshops throughout the year
Additional Volunteer Activities:
Making walking sticks, gardening, helping build and repair structures, and trail maintenance.
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