Jobs & Service
Volunteer Staff
The Hostel in the Forest was built and continues to thrive because of the thousands of volunteer hours offered by past and present staff and guest members. Each season, we welcome a small group of volunteers to steward the daily rhythms of this beloved sanctuary.
As a volunteer staff member, you’ll live in community, care for the land, and contribute to one of the most unique eco-hostels in the Southeast.
Volunteer Roles
We typically have 6 volunteer staff at a time, each filling one, or multiple, of the following core areas:
Reception: Greet guests, manage check-ins and check-outs, answer calls/emails, and maintain the flow of the office
Cleaning: Deep-clean bathrooms, showers, and tubs; assist with laundry and keep communal areas sparkling. Reset and refresh guest treehouses between visits; maintain linens and create cozy, welcoming spaces
Animal care: Feed and tend to chickens and ducks; clean the coops and maintain their outdoor runs
Compost: Manage composting toilet systems, grey water system, and care for food and garden waste systems
Kitchen manager: Prepare dinner 6 nights a week, manage food inventory and prep, and lead cleanup and kitchen closing. ServSafe Food Handler certification is recommended. The Hostel in the Forest will cover the cost of the certification if the applicant does not have it.
Garden: Seed, plant, harvest, and manage our pesticide-free garden. This is a self-led garden stewardship role.
What’s Included
A private treehouse in the staff village (after a 1-week trial in a shared dormitory)
Farm-fresh eggs and nightly communal dinners
Full access to the 140-acre forest sanctuary
A day off per week
A grounded rhythm of service, simplicity, and shared purpose
Requirements
1-3 month commitment
Must be 21 or older
25 hours of weekly hands-on work
Strong sense of integrity, initiative, and care
Willingness to share resources, and uphold the Hostel Guest Membership Agreement
A Few Notes
Staff are selected by the hostel manager on an as-needed basis. If you’ve volunteered with us before, thank you. If you’re hoping to return, please complete a new application so the current manager can make an informed decision.
Manager Position
The hostel manager is the on-site steward of daily life at The Hostel in the Forest. This role supports the operations, spirit, and community heartbeat of one of the most unique sanctuaries in the Southeast.
The manager upholds the mission of The Hostel, ensuring that all guests and volunteer staff experience a safe, welcoming, and purpose-driven stay.
Hostel Mission
The Hostel in the Forest teaches a hands-on approach to a sustainable lifestyle through activities such as alternative building and organic gardening while complementing the processes of nature.
The Hostel in the Forest, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit membership organization located in Brunswick, Georgia, USA, is a center which promotes and teaches environmental sustainability, while also serving as a spiritual retreat, and hostel for international and domestic travelers. While the Hostel is not dedicated to any particular religion or denomination, its educational programs and services are designed to integrate the ecological, social, spiritual, economic and emotional aspects of the human condition.
Job Description & Responsibilities
6-months, full-time commitment
Oversees day-to-day operations of The Hostel
Hires, trains, and supports a team of 6 volunteer staff
Coordinates with the land manager to align care of the land with ongoing projects
Collaborates with the board of directors and events team to guide programming and culture
Maintains guest experience and supports community agreements
Documents key decisions and updates for continuity and transparency
Upholds the values and mission of The Hostel and its nonprofit status
What the Hostel Manager Receives
Weekly stipend
Private treehouse in staff village
Farm-fresh eggs and shared communal dinners
Full access to the 140-acre forest sanctuary
A day off per week
Use of a shared work vehicle
The experience of a lifetime in one of the Southeast’s most beloved eco-sanctuaries
Position Requirements
Must be 21 or older
Prior volunteer experience at The Hostel in the Forest
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Leadership or community management experience
Self-directed, organized, and emotionally grounded
Willingness to share resources
Alignment with The Hostel’s mission and values
Core Competencies & Skills
Leadership and team management
Conflict resolution & group facilitation
Organization and logistics
Event planning or hosting
Community living or intentional communities
Clear communication & documentation
Presence, patience, and care
Land Manager Position
The land manager is the on-site representative of The Hostel in the Forest Land Trust. As both facilitator and steward, this role is responsible for the care and upkeep of the land and its resources—including water bodies and waterways, forest fire breaks, drainage systems, emergency access points, Mr. Road, Mrs. Driveway, all standing structures, and boardwalks.
The land manager ensures alignment with the Land Trust’s mission and The Hostel in the Forest Membership Agreement.
Land Trust Mission
The Hostel in the Forest Land Trust is committed to protecting, conserving, and caring for the natural resources, ecological health, and scenic beauty of the property—for the benefit of hostel operations and for current and future generations of its members.
Job Description & Responsibilities
One-year, full-time commitment
Collaborates with the land trust board and hostel manager to identify needs and prioritize projects based on budget, timing, and long-term sustainability
Logs daily progress on all active projects
Manages inventory and maintains the Hidey Hole (tool shed)
Sources materials from the land when possible (e.g., standing dead cypress)
Procures pine rounds for outdoor fires and hardwoods for cooking (Cobb oven, rocket stoves) and heating (indoor wood stoves)
Keeps job sites clean, organized, and safe
Practices proactive risk management—identifying and addressing areas of concern to maintain a safe environment for all
Works independently with a strong sense of initiative and time management
What the Land Manager Receives
Weekly stipend
Private treehouse with A/C and heating
Farm-fresh eggs and shared communal dinners
Full access to the 140-acre forest sanctuary
Use of a shared work vehicle
The experience of a lifetime in one of the Southeast’s most unique sanctuaries
Position Requirements
Must be 21 or older
Valid driver’s license
Able to lift up to 80 lbs (e.g., a bag of concrete)
Prior volunteer experience at The Hostel in the Forest
Skilled in multiple trades
Personal cordless tool kit required
Relevant Skills
Fire starting and fire safety
Axe use and log splitting (manual and powered)
Tree identification (Southeast Georgia species)
Chainsaw operation, maintenance, and safety
Rigging and rope work for tree tasks
Basic electrical work
Roofing
Plumbing
General construction & repairs
Drainage and erosion control
Operation of:
Mini excavator
Ditch witch
Tiller
Tractor
Bush hog
Auto and small engine repair