Effigy Mounds National Monument - Volunteer (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS Photo by Ken Block

National Park Week / Earth Day Take Pride In America Volunteers at Effigy Mounds.

Volunteer Neil Rettig and (Rare) Harpy Eagle During HawkWatch Weeeknd

NPS Photo by Ken Block

Volunteer Neil Rettig and South American Harpy Eagle During HawkWatch Weekend.

About the VIP Program
at Effigy Mounds National Monument

Volunteer opportunities available include interpretation (presenting park tours and public programs), curatorial, maintenance, resource management, and park administration.

Depending on which division you would like to volunteer with, skills are varied. Please check with the Volunteer Coordinator for additional information. Previous experience is not required.

Volunteers are an integral part of the Monument staff throughout the year. Experience is sought and / or offered though these opportunities:

Performing uniformed or costumed interpretation and demonstrations.
Assisting at the information desk.
Documenting & maintaining historic resources, including artifacts, buildings, and documents.
Repairing and maintenance of equipment, buildings and hiking trails.
Native prairie maintenance, plant population studies and exotic plant removal.
Computer and hard copy filing of park records.

For more information regarding Effigy Mounds National Monument volunteer program, please contact the Park Volunteer Coordinator at 563-873-3491 or e-mail..

NPS Photo by Rodney Rovang

Volunteers With Bags of Garlic Mustard Collected at Effigy Mounds

* Librarian Volunteer Needed; some expense reimbursement is available.

Call Friday Wiles for information: 563.873.3491

** Visitor Center & Education Volunteer Intern

Dates: 5/31/2009--8/29/2009

Learn about Effigy Mounds National Monument and the Upper Mississippi River Valley while working in Interpretation. Effigy Mounds is looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals to work as interpreters in (and out of) two visitor centers, the NPS visitor center Effigy Mounds and partnership site - the Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center.

These positions will start by June 2009. Applicant must commit to a minimum 12-week period.

DUTIES:

Share your knowledge and enthusiasm with Effigy Mounds and Upper Mississippi River Valley visitors! As an Associate Naturalist you will have the chance to develop and present interpretive programs to help visitors understand and appreciate the park and region. Possible topics include ancient and U.S. territorial settlement human history, archeology, natural history including geology, botany, ornithology and environmental issues. You will interact with visitors in less formal settings such as answering questions at a busy information desk and while roving trails and Mississippi River overlooks.

SKILLS:

Ability to present an interpretive program that is interesting and informative to audiences consisting of 5 to 75 visitors. You will receive 2-3 weeks training. You should possess the skills to work in a stressful environment as part of a team of interpreters who provide exceptional visitor services.

COMPENSATION:

A meal and incidental reimbursement of $15 per work day. The intern is required to wear a uniform; you will be supplied a hat, shirt(s), jacket and hiking boots. If the intern is required to purchase uniform items normally supplied by the park, they will be reimbursed for those items. The VIP will supply brown slacks, brown socks, brown belt and appropriate footwear. A small uniform reimbursement of $35.00 will be given to help defray the cost of slacks. If the intern is required to purchase a uniform item normally supplied by the park, they will be reimbursed for that item.

Housing is available in the local community; you will be provided a 450.00 /month allowance for rent.

An allowance for round trip reimbursement of initial travel to EFMO and final return from EFMO will be provided. Some reimbursement for daily commuting mileage might be available. The park's volunteer coordinator will provide details.

AREA DESCRIPTION:

Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River. The 2,526 acre monument was established in 1949 to protect earthen burial mounds that were built from 800 to 2500 years ago.

Situated along the Upper Mississippi River near Marquette and McGregor Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin - this location is a great place to visit and a wonderful place to live. The area is known for pre-European American Indian cultural resources highlighted by concentrations of animal shaped “effigy mounds”. European (contact) history dates back to the 1673; many sites are preserved and open for visits.

The Great River Road winds for 250 miles along the both banks of the Mississippi River. This National Scenic Byway offers breathtaking beauty, with incredible geological formations along the river and adjacent bluffs. Prairie du Chien is the oldest community on the Upper Mississippi River. This region is a haven for sports enthusiasts, nature and history lovers. Marquette, McGregor, Prairie du Chien, two state parks, Wisconsin’s first State Historical Site (Villa Louis) and the national monument are situated within the heart of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - far away from the sights and sounds of the major cities of the Upper Mississippi River. However, this location is conveniently located near to many good and services, and one of the few major highway / bridge crossings of the Upper Mississippi River.

A background check maybe required for this position. This involves fingerprinting and a documented work and residential history.

TO APPLY: Go to this link

Thank you for your interest in Effigy Mounds National Monument.

To view more NPS volunteer opportunities, go to:

Link to a Volunteer Application