Volunteer in the beautiful California State Parks of the Sierra foothills!
A wide variety of volunteer opportunities to match any interest are available at Empire Mine State Historic Park, South Yuba River State Park, and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Spring volunteer training is starting soon, see info at the bottom of the page!
Volunteers can participate in any or all of the following activities after completing comprehensive training offered each spring and fall:
Volunteer Activities
| Park | Activity | Description |
| E, S, M | School Tour Guide | Get 3rd - 5th grade students excited about gold rush history and/or the natural history of the Sierra Foothills. |
| E, S, M | Trail Rovers | Answer visitors' questions, help keep trails clean, and report maintenance issues while you hike in the beautiful parks. |
| E, S, M | Gift Shop/ Visitor Center | Meet people from around the world in our park Visitor Centers, and generate sales income to support park educational and volunteer programs. |
| E, S, M | History Tour Guide | Lead group tours of the historic buildings and features at any of the three parks. |
| E | Garden Tour Guide | Lead tours through the beautiful historic Empire Estate Gardens (March - October) |
| E, S, M | Nature Trail Tour Guide | Take visitors on the trails to learn about wildflowers, geology, and/or other topics of your choice or expertise |
| E, S, M | Tour Assistant | Assistants are needed to follow on History, Nature, or School tours to help guides with tasks, provide security for the historic collections and features, and assist attendees. |
| E | Blacksmiths | Interact with visitors while you demonstrate making period ironwork in a forge to sell in our gift shop year-round at Empire Mine, or at Malakoff Diggins' school programs and special events. |
| E | Historic Facility Maintenance | Help park staff with maintenance and repairs of Empire Mine’s historic facilities and exhibits |
| E | Landscape Gardening | Help keep Empire Mine’s historic rose garden and other Estate landscaping beautiful and manicured |
| S | Habitat Restoration | Participate in weed bashes and other habitat restoration projects at South Yuba River SP, and/or adopt your own plot to maintain healthy native plant habitat. |
| S | Gold Panning | Teach visitors and students how to pan for gold at Bridgeport’s Visitor Center, and at community event State Parks tables. |
| E, M | Living History | Wear Living History period clothing reproductions while giving tours and/or staffing special events |
| E, S, M | Special Events | Help with activities offered at park events such as Miner's Picnic, Humbug Day and Holidays at Empire Mine, or at community event booths. |
| E | Administrative Assistant |
Use basic computer skills to document Empire Mine's history, improve interpretive programs, and assist with program administrative needs. |
Spring 2026 Training Dates
Volunteer training for Empire Mine State Historic Park, South Yuba River State Park, and/or Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park begins with a required 2-day Orientation, held at Empire Mine SHP.
After the Orientation, the specific training for each volunteer activity varies, and will be scheduled separately with interested applicants.
Orientation sessions are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be offered on both Fridays and Saturdays. Trainees only need to attend one of the days each week (the Friday and Saturday trainings have the same content).
Required Orientation Training dates (held at Empire Mine SHP):
Session 1: Friday April 24th or Saturday April 25th
AND
Session 2: Friday May 1st or Saturday May 2nd
Apply Now!
1.RSVP is required to attend the volunteer training: email Volunteer Coordinator Jean Rhyne at Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov or call (530) 686-7110 with the dates you plan to attend.
2. Before the training, get started by setting up an applicant profile on our Better Impact volunteer program webpage. If you are interested in volunteering at multiple parks, make only one profile, and additional parks can be added to your profile after training.
Empire Mine State Historic Park: Click here to see our volunteer opportunities and apply
South Yuba River State Park: Click here to see our volunteer opportunities and apply
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park: Click here to see our volunteer opportunities and apply
For more information about the program or if you have trouble setting up a profile, email or call the Volunteer Coordinator.