2024 MN State Fair DNR volunteer positions

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:

• Two 3-hour shifts are available each day of the fair.
  • Morning: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Afternoon: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
•  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.).

Sign up:

1. Complete a Widlfire Prevention building volunteer application.
   1. Select your day and 3-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
      1. Shifts go all the way to September 2nd; you may need to click the “get more shifts” button to see them or use the “Filter” feature to filter by available shifts.
      2. There is a maximum of 4 volunteers per shift.
2. Complete the annual online DNR State Fair Safety Training, including the quiz. 
   Attention! You must complete the safety training to be eligible to volunteer at the Minnesota State Fair.

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 or phone 651-259-5903.

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.

Time Commitment:

• Three 4-hour shifts are available each day of the fair.
  • 8:45 am - 1:15 pm
  • 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  • 5:15 pm - 9:15 pm

Note: Do not sign up for more than 2 shifts.

Sign up:

1. Complete a Invasive Species Display application.
   1. Select your day and 4-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
      1. Shifts go all the way to September 2nd; you may need to click the “get more shifts” button to see them or use the “Filter” feature to filter by available shifts.
2. Complete the annual online DNR State Fair Safety Training, including the quiz. 
   Attention! You must complete the safety training to be eligible to volunteer at the Minnesota State Fair.

Make note of the username and password you created 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.  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 Sascha Lodge at [email protected] with questions.

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, fish pond, stages, 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

Minimum time commitment: 

• One or more 3-hour shifts in a day.
  • 9 a.m.-noon
  • Noon-3 p.m.
  • 3-6 p.m.
  • 6-9 p.m.
• Volunteers may sign up for a maximum of two (2) days at the fair.

Sign up:

1. Complete a Greeter and Rover online application
   1. Select your day and 3-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
      1. Shifts go all the way to September 2nd; you may need to click the “get more shifts” button to see them or use the “Filter” feature to filter by available shifts.
2. Complete the annual online DNR State Fair Safety Training, including the quiz. 
   Attention! You must complete the safety training to be eligible to volunteer at the Minnesota State Fair.

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. 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 or phone 651-259-5249.

Duties included:

• Provide interpretation of the mounted animals and other features to the public.
• Answer questions from the public and provide general directions at the fair.
• Represent the DNR in a positive fashion.

Restrictions: 

• Avoid expressing personal opinions or views.
• You are not expected to be knowledgeable in all areas concerning the DNR. All questions related to DNR policies and procedures are to be referred to DNR staff located outside the State Fair DNR building or to the DNR Information Line at 1-888-646-6367 or (651) 296-6157 (Twin Cities only).

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 3-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.

Sign up:

1. Complete a Wildlife Wing Interpreter online application .
   1. Select your day and 3-hour time slot on the fair schedule.
      1. Shifts go all the way to September 2nd; you may need to click the “get more shifts” button to see them or use the “Filter” feature to filter by available shifts.
2. Complete the annual online DNR State Fair Safety Training, including the quiz. 
   Attention! You must complete the safety training to be eligible to volunteer at the Minnesota State Fair.

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. Log in to MyImpactPage.com to access anytime.

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.

For more information, contact Wendy Lee, Fish and Wildlife Division or phone651-322-4643.  Written instructions will be provided prior to your shift.