Jobs & Service at The Hostel
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 & Tree-housekeeping: Deep-clean bathrooms, showers, and tubs; assist with laundry and keep communal areas sparkling. Reset and refresh guest treehouses between visits;
Garden: Self-led stewardship; you'll seed, plant, harvest, and guide the rhythm of this living space.
Animal Care: Feed and tend to chickens and ducks; clean the coop and maintain their outdoor runs
Compost: Manage composting toilet systems, grey water system, and care for food and garden waste systems
Kitchen: Prepare dinner 6 nights/week, manage food inventory and prep, and lead cleanup and kitchen closing. ServSafe Food Handler certification is required. The Hostel in the Forest will cover the cost of the certification if the applicant does not have it.
What’s Included
A private treehouse in the staff village (after a 1-week trial in a shared dorm)
Farm-fresh eggs and nightly community dinners
Full access to the 140-acre forest sanctuary
One community 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 live off-grid, 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—this place exists because of you. If you’re hoping to return, please complete a new application so the current Manager can make an informed decision.
If you would like to be considered for the position of volunteer staff, please complete the following application:
Hostel In The Forest Volunteer Staff Application
Hostel Manager
The Hostel Manager is the on-site steward of daily life at the Hostel in the Forest. A leader in rhythm with the land, 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, staff, and volunteers experience a safe, welcoming, and purpose-driven stay.
Hostel Mission
The Hostel in the Forest is dedicated to inspiring love and respect for nature, others, and the self through education, art, and community living in harmony with the Earth.
As a space that promotes and teaches environmental sustainability, it offers a hands-on approach to a sustainable lifestyle. While not affiliated with any particular religion or denomination, the Hostel serves as a spiritual retreat and its educational programs are designed to integrate the ecological, social, spiritual, economic, and emotional aspects of the human experience.
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 community dinners
Access to the full 140-acre property
Use of a shared work vehicle
The experience of a lifetime in one of the Southeast’s most beloved eco-sanctuaries
Position Requirements
Minimum age: 21
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
Comfortable living off-grid and managing shared resources
Alignment with the Hostel’s mission and values
Core Competencies & Skills
Leadership & team management
Conflict resolution & group facilitation
Organization & logistics
Event planning or hosting
Community living or intentional communities
Clear communication & documentation
Presence, patience, and care
If you would like to be considered for the position of manager, please complete the following application:
Hostel In The Forest Manager Application
Land Manager
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 tree stands, 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 community dinners
Access to the full 140-acre property
Use of a work truck (gas, mileage, and use reimbursed)
The experience of a lifetime in one of the Southeast’s most unique sanctuaries
Position Requirements
Minimum age: 21
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 & Toolset
Fire starting & fire safety
Axe use & log splitting (manual and powered)
Tree identification (Southeast Georgia species)
Chainsaw operation, maintenance, and safety
Rigging & rope work for tree tasks
Basic electrical work
Roofing
Plumbing
General construction & repairs
Drainage & erosion control
Operation of:
Mini excavator
Ditch witch
Tiller
Tractor
Bush hog
Auto & small engine repair
If you would like to be considered for the position of manager, please complete the following application: