Interpretation Program - Park Guide (spring through fall)

This component of our intern program is offered spring through fall, but our staff expands during summer when our season is at its peak. The summer season extends for approximately 10 weeks which offers interpreters an opportunity to work 300-400 hours.

There are many aspects that an interpreter can pursue including working in a Visitor Center, developing and presenting interpretive programs, demonstrations, and nature hikes. Other assignments will be given with the intention of building a portfolio of experience. By becoming a member of the interpretation staff, interpreters gain experience and training in presenting thematic interpretive programs, becoming familiar with operations at the Visitor Center, learning to identify common safety issues when working with the public, and gaining knowledge of a wide range of facts on cave ecology, forest ecology, wildlife biology, botany, and geology.

Additional opportunities include working on the development of children activities, which can be used in our Junior Ranger program. Training can be provided on the use of software used to generate these activity sheets. The following information provides a summary of duties as a Park Guide. 

• Guided Cave Tours: Lead up to 16 visitors through the “Marble Halls of the Oregon Caves.” Learn and teach why Oregon Caves is one of the best kept secrets of the West, why this region is so significant, and why it is protected. Training and coaching will be provided. This is a good opportunity for individuals wanting to develop more experience in Interpretation. 
• Visitor Center Services Duties: will include providing general information about the cave tours, Monument, and the local region. Volunteers will also assist children with our Junior Ranger Program and give out Junior Ranger badges.
• Outdoor Recreation and Interpretation (Ranger Programs): Give short talks or demonstrations to the public at Oregon Caves. Training and coaching will be provided. This is a also another good opportunity for individuals wanting to develop more experience in Interpretation. 
• Development of Individual Project There are many projects that can be worked on during your summer at the Oregon Caves. Some examples include photographs needed for the Monument's interpretive slide file. Photo needs include everything from regional topics to microscopic plants and animals on the Monument. We also desire good artist who can make graphic illustrations for activity books and flyers to be used at the Monument and in educational packets. Most work can be done in the office or Resource cabin. We also have a need for those who know a second (or more!) language to translate information and articles about Oregon Caves National Monument and develop flyers for distribution of international visitors. Translations are needed in all languages. (International Volunteers need to get a J-1 Visa ). Most work will be done in the office or cabin.