Haleakala National Park - Volunteer (U.S. National Park Service)

Volunteers are Very Important People

Volunteers contributed over 15,500 hours to Haleakala National Park in Fiscal Year 2006. As a Volunteer in Parks--VIP--you work side by side with the National Park Service staff. And as a VIP you are truly a Very Important Person. You show people how to enjoy their parks so future generations can too. Think how much you will learn about a park by contributing to its successful operation

Who are Volunteers?
Those who serve in national parks are a diverse group of people--park neighbors, college students, community organizations, families, friends, teachers, doctors, scientists, cashiers, business owners, and many others. There are no age limits to volunteer. Those that are under 18 years of age may become a VIP with the official permission of their parents or guardians. We welcome Volunteers in Parks from all over the United States and every country in the world.

What do Volunteers do?
Haleakala National Park has many volunteer opportunities. Volunteers do a variety of work helping Haleakala National Park accomplish its mission and goals. Volunteers may:

*Work at an information desk answering visitors' questions and handing out information
*Present cultural demonstrations
*Build fences, paint buildings, maintain trails, and other maintenance projects
*Give short talks, guided walks and assist with environmental education programs
*Maintain park library, slide files, and other historic park documentation
*Monitor endangered bird populations and predator control areas
*Plant native species and controls alien species
*Pick up litter along roads, trails, and buildings
*Assist resource managers in annual wildlife counts
*Work with computers

There are many opportunities that require a wide variety of talent and skills. Once selected, VIPs are given training to acquaint them with the specific tasks they will be asked to perform and to acquaint them with the park. Specific postion descriptions are also available online.

Volunteer Programs
There are a wide variety of programs that are used at Haleakala:

*Adopt-A-Trail
*AmeriCorps
*Service Trips
*Student Conservation Association
*Intern & Apprenticeship Program
*Volunteer in Parks
*Youth Conservation Corp

Working as a Volunteer
What should I expect? As a volunteer, the Federal Government will not pay you. You will have the benefit of working in a national park, and there will be other rewards as well. You will meet a variety of people with a variety of talents. You may develop new skills and gain experience that will enrich your life and assist you in present or new careers. Haleakala has minimal funding to defray costs for out-of-pocket expenses such as meals and travel to the park. Park housing is rarely available through the VIP program though is available through the Student Conservation Association program. The closest community with housing is 10 miles away, and rents are high. Campground spaces are not available for volunteers as space is limited and camping is limited to 3 nights per month. Some positions will require that you wear a uniform, which will be provided. Depending upon what volunteer opportunities you are interested in, you may work a few hours a week or month, seasonally or full-time. You may work during weekdays and/or weekends, during the day or at night. You and your supervisor will agree upon the amount of time before you start.

International Volunteers
International volunteers are required to have a J-1 Visa and an International Driver's License. International volunteers may be restricted from some positions due to Federal regulations. For assistance in becoming a volunteer in any national park, you may wish to contact the National Park Service Office of International Affairs, 1949 C Street, NW, Room 2252, Washington DC 20240 or phone (202) 565-1293 or their website.

Group Volunteers
Volunteer groups can participate in one-day events in the front-country or multi-day trips at cabins or campsites that are located within the Haleakala Wilderness Area. Cabin and entry fees are waived when individuals donate at least five hours of their time per night stayed (hiking time not included) in service to the park. Interested groups can come to Haleakala to perform a wide variety of duties including alien plant removal, litter pickup, back-country cabin and campground maintenance. For more details check out the Group Service Projects page.

Sounds Great! How do I Apply?
Check out the Volunteer webpage. You may also receive additional information on opportunities at Haleakala by e-mailing your name and mailing address to HALE_VIP_Coordinator@nps.gov or sending your request to Haleakala National Park, POB 369, Makawao, HI 96768-0369, Attn: Volunteer Coordinator.

If you are selected to become a volunteer, you and your National Park Service supervisor will sign an agreement. This agreement will describe your duties and responsibilities, and other conditions of the working arrangement. After your orientation and appropriate training to the duties you will be doing, you will be one of the newest volunteers for the National Park Service.