Voyageurs National Park - Visitor Services Volunteer (U.S. National Park Service)

A dedicated volunteer helps at the Ash River Visitor Center.

VISITOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS

This position is located at Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota. Primary duties are staffing the visitor center desk and sales area, providing trip-planning assistance, and disseminating information in person or via mail, telephone, or electronic mail. Duties may also include assisting with, or conducting interpretive programs (i.e. canoe, talks and hikes). Volunteers working in this capacity will receive appropriate training, guidance and supervision from the District Naturalist.

Local volunteers are needed for part-time help year-round. Full-time (32 hours per week) volunteers are needed during the months of May - September. Full-time volunteers receive free housing or RV hook-ups in the park. A position description is provided below.

Please contact the park's volunteer program coordinator at 218-286-6670 for more information.

Major Duties

As a uniformed volunteer with the National Park Service, the volunteer serves as a front-line representative of the agency at the visitor center. The volunteer is responsible for providing current, accurate information on Voyageurs National Park and the National Park Service (NPS) to visitors, along with information on surrounding areas.

The volunteer explains recreational opportunities, including National Park interpretive programs and services, and privately operated facilities and services. The volunteer distributes maps, brochures, and other printed material; informs visitors of potential safety hazards; provides directions and routes of travel to provide access to the park.

The volunteer performs a variety of general office duties, including answering telephones, responding to written or phone requests for information, filing, typing and duplicating informational handouts.

The volunteer operates a variety of office machines, including cash registers, calculators, typewriters, copiers, computers, and telephone/fax machines.

The volunteer staffs the Cooperating Association's sales outlet, makes sales using a cash register, inventories stock, and keeps display area stocked and neat in appearance at all times.

The volunteer may also perform any or all of the following duties in the course of completing their work. These duties are secondary to the primary duties and constitute 20% or less of the duties of the position.

Collecting fees
Stocking brochure and permit boxes
Collecting permits
Performing roving contacts at a variety of park locations
Assisting other park staff at special events
Going into the field to familiarize self with area resources

Factors

To perform the duties of this position, the volunteer must have, or gain, the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of NPS mission and goals
Knowledge of the park and operations
Skilled in the handling of cash, checks, and credit cards, and ability to complete mathematical calculations and make change
Ability to operate an electronic cash register, credit card machine, calculator, typewriter, and computer
Knowledge of Departmental, NPS, and park fee collection guidelines and procedures
Ability to communicate effectively and deal with a high volume of personal contacts in a courteous, friendly, tactful and intelligent manner

Supervisory Controls

The volunteer works under the direct supervision of the District Naturalist. After receiving specific instructions, the volunteer performs routine assignments independently.

The supervisor is available when problems or unusual situations arise. Supervisor spot checks routine work for accuracy, with closer review performed for more difficult or non-routine assignments.

Complexity

The volunteer contacts visitors, conducts sales, disseminates information and is frequently required to perform multiple tasks during high volume visitation. Assignments are primarily repetitive, consisting of clearly defined tasks. Questions regarding non-routine tasks are referred to the supervisor.

Scope and Effect

The results of the incumbent's activities contribute to the enjoyment and understanding of the park area by visitors, and public understanding and appreciation of the National Park Service mission. These activities affect the NPS and its employees, visitors, and other land managers and neighbors.

Personal Contacts

The volunteer has daily contacts with the visiting public, other volunteers, park staff, inholders and park neighbors. These people represent a cross section of the nation and of other countries of the world. Visitors are of all ages, and from all social, ethnic and economic groups. The volunteer has contact with park visitors for the purpose of providing information about area facilities, services, activities and recreational opportunities. Public contacts occasionally include dealing with visitor complaints and conflicts, although these are typically referred to the supervisor.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Standing for long periods of time, walking, bending, lifting of moderately heavy items and sedentary work is required. Work is generally performed indoors in both a visitor center and office setting. Trips to park field locations or local travel within or near International Falls may be required. The volunteer may be subject to working in various weather conditions.