In today’s episode, we’re heading to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to learn about volunteer opportunities with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Oregon’s Willamette Valley Project.

I am interviewing Ranger James Blakely, who describes his recreation system and the role Workampers play in supporting its mission.

The Willamette Valley Project includes 13 dams, each creating scenic lakes surrounded by forested land, boat ramps and peaceful campgrounds.

The Corps manages three of these campgrounds directly and recruits Workampers to help keep them clean, welcoming and well-maintained throughout the busy summer season.

With opportunities ranging from campground hosting to hands-on maintenance roles, this is a great way to enjoy Oregon’s natural beauty while giving back your time to support the USACE mission.

James explained the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Willamette Valley Project is more than just a scenic stretch of Oregon. It is a vibrant recreation system which relies on dedicated volunteers to serve thousands of visitors every year.

Workampers are essential to that mission, and their roles are as rewarding as the landscape is breathtaking.

There are a variety of jobs available, including campground hosts who greet guests, help manage reservations through recreation.gov and provide friendly visitor services.

Maintenance volunteers assist with painting, trail upkeep, watering plants and even managing a recycling program where cans and bottles are redeemed to fund volunteer activities.

One unique perk of working at the Willamette Valley project is that volunteers never have to clean bathrooms because that task is outsourced to contractors.

In exchange for volunteering 20 to 32 hours per week — depending on whether you’re solo or part of a couple — Workampers receive a number of perks. Those include a full-hookup campsite, free laundry access, mileage reimbursement in some cases, and a strong sense of community through appreciation events like ice cream socials and barbecues.

Although most positions are seasonal, the Fern Ridge Lake site offers a year-round opportunity for those who want a longer commitment and enjoy quieter, off-season projects like gatekeeping and light maintenance.

If you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful setting close to waterfalls, mountain trails and a short distance from the Oregon coast, this might be the perfect Workamping job for you.

To apply, you can search for open positions on volunteer.gov, but the fastest way is to reach out to Ranger James Blakely directly by calling (541) 942-5631 or emailing him your resume describing your past Workamping experiences.

His email address is [email protected].

Even if no listings are currently posted, James encourages potential volunteers to get in touch early, especially if you are looking for volunteer opportunities in 2026 or beyond.

Would you like to be featured in an upcoming episode of The Workamper Show? I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at workampershow.com.

We’d love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. Help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story.

If you are an employer of Workampers – we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time.

Schedule an interview with me today by going to workampershow.com. You’ll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page.

That’s all for this week’s show. I’ll have another fun interview next time with a man who had been full-time RVing with his family for more than eight years. He offers some great tips for Workampers who travel with young children. I’ll have more details on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening.