2023 MN State Fair DNR Volunteer Positions

Qualifications desired:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• Interested in animals and able to communicate with the public verbally.
• Master Naturalist certification or natural resources related degree is preferred, but not required.
• You must pass a criminal background check to work at the fair.

Time commitment:

• At least one 2-hour shift during the MN State Fair.
• Volunteers may sign up for more than one shift.

Training:

• Training is not provided because all animal mounts are set up immediately before the fair opens, but an animal list is available upon request.
• Binder/field guides with animal information are also available for reference at the site.

State Fair Safety Training:

• All volunteers must complete an online safety training quiz to be eligible to work at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Please go to the DNR State Fair Safety Training page for instructions.

Sign up:

• Complete the Wildlife Wing Interpreter online application.
• Please note that this application will time out after 30 minutes of no activity.
• Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on.
• You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this.
• Maps, instructions, and an admission ticket will be mailed to you for each day you volunteer.
• Remember, you may sign up for more than 1 shift.

For more information, contact Wendy Lee, Division of Wildlife at 651-322-4643 or email [email protected]. Written instructions will be provided prior to your shift.

Sit or stand near the doorway to the DNR Building or by the outdoor fish pond as you:

• Greet fairgoers with a smile.
• Wear the official red volunteer vest provided for your shift.
• Answer questions and direct fairgoers where to find the DNR Information Booth, License Center, Trail Center, Wildlife Wing, bird shows, fish pond, music stage, restrooms, and more! (Maps will be provided.)
• Assist DNR staff as requested with small tasks such as breaking down cardboard boxes, standing in for staff at a booth when they need a break, or helping with boxes of supplies for the Info Booth or Trail Center.
• Walk through the Wildlife Wing and Lands and Minerals exhibit periodically to help keep an eye on the animal mounts and display items.

You are not expected to be knowledgeable in all areas concerning the DNR. Refer all questions related to DNR policies and procedures to DNR staff located outside the State Fair DNR building in the Information Booth. Do not voice any personal opinions or views when speaking with the public. You are representing the DNR in a professional capacity as a volunteer and must remain neutral on all topics.

Qualifications needed:

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Must pass a criminal background check (adults 18+ years only)
• Friendly outgoing personality
• Physically able to stand or sit in a non-air-conditioned area
• Ability to move about and carry objects
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds

Volunteers are particularly needed in Greater Minnesota outside the Twin Cities metro area.

State Fair safety training

• All volunteers must complete an online safety training quiz to be eligible to work at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Please go to the DNR State Fair Safety Training page for instructions.

Minimum time commitment:

• One or more 3-hour shifts in a day ( 9 a.m.-Noon, Noon-3 p.m., 3-6 p.m. or 6-9 p.m.)
• Volunteers may sign up for a maximum of three (3) days at the fair

TO SIGN UP

• Complete a Greeter and Rover online application.
• Select your day and 3-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
• Please note that this application will time out after 30 minutes of no activity.

Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile, check your schedule, log hours, email your volunteer coordinator and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities at any time. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on. Log in to MyImpactPage.com to access anytime.

You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this. Maps and instructions will be emailed to you. An admission ticket will be sent to you in the US mail for each day you volunteer. Remember, you may sign up for more than one shift and more than one day.

For more information, contact Renee Hartwig, Volunteer Programs, at 651-259-5249 or email [email protected].

Your duties include:

• Talk with visitors about the impacts of invasive species.
• Explain to visitors the actions they can take to prevent the spread of invasive species.
• Explain the invasive species exhibits and handouts.
• Answer questions about invasive species.
• Keep the display area stocked and tidy.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Knowledge of either aquatic or terrestrial invasive species.
• Willingness to gain an understanding of the materials and displays at the invasive species exhibit.
• Enjoy interacting with visitors and sharing invasive species prevention messages such as "Clean.Drain.Dispose." and "PlayCleanGo."
• Complete all required forms and State Fair safety training.

State Fair Safety Training:

• Everyone must complete an online safety training quiz to be eligible to work at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Please go to the DNR State Fair Safety Training page for instructions.

TO SIGN UP:

• Complete an Invasive Species Display application.
• Create a volunteer profile.
• Once you have created an account in the system, you will see the available shifts and will be able to sign up for a shift. Shifts go all the way to September 4th; you may need to click the “get more shifts” button to see them or you can use the “Filter” feature to filter by available shifts.
• Do not sign up for more than 2 shifts.
• Select your day and 4-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
• Shifts are:
  • 8:45 am - 1:15 pm
  • 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  • 5:15 pm - 9:15 pm
• Please note that this application will time out after 30 minutes of no activity.

Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile, check your schedule, log hours, email your volunteer coordinator and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities at any time. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on. Log in to MyImpactPage.com to access anytime.

You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this. Maps and instructions will be emailed to you. An admission ticket will be sent to you in the US mail for each day you volunteer. Remember, you may only sign up for one or two shifts.

Thank you! Your efforts make the invasive species display a truly interactive experience!

Contact Sasha Lodge at [email protected] with questions.

To qualify you must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Friendly and confident talking to people
• Physically capable of standing or sitting for long periods of time in/near the Wildfire Prevention Building
• Capable of answering fire-related questions, or finding answers on a printed FAQ sheet
• Pass a background check

Time commitment:

• A 4-hour shift is available each day of the fair from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Volunteers must be present for their entire assigned shift.
  • A DNR Prevention staff will be available to assign the volunteer to a location, provide the FAQ sheet for reference, and provide for short breaks (to find a meal, fill water bottle, use restroom, etc.).

State Fair Safety Training:

• All volunteers must complete the annual online safety training, including quiz, to be eligible to work at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Please go to the DNR State Fair Safety Training page for instructions.

TO SIGN UP

• Complete a State Fair DNR Wildfire Prevention Volunteer application.
• Select your day and 4-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
• Please note that this application will time out after 30 minutes of no activity.

Please note: if friends/family accompany you to the Fair they MUST be signed up as DNR Volunteers and take the safety training in order to help you. Up to four (4) people per shift are needed.

An admission ticket will be provided for each day you volunteer. Maps, tickets, and instructions will be mailed to you ahead of your shift date(s).

For more information, contact Karen Harrison, Wildfire Prevention Specialist, at 651-259-5903 or email [email protected].