Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000a6N9AAI/campground-host-mesquite-campground-spring-2023
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ADDRESS: Death Valley National Park; Mesquite Rd.; Death Valley, California 92328
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 1/13/2023 – 4/17/2023
DESCRIPTION:
General Position Description:
Camp hosts reside in their own RV and are responsible for greeting visitors and helping guests solve problems in a friendly and professional manner. Hosts wear the National Park Service Volunteer uniform while on duty. Camp hosts must work well with people while being personable and neat in appearance. Walking between 2 and 5 miles a day is required to perform the campground rounds in all kinds of weather. No vehicles are provided for this. Hosts work 32 – 40 hours each week, often during the busy holidays or weekends. No fee collection is required.
Mesquite Spring Campground:
Mesquite Spring Campground is a 40 site property located at an elevation of 1800 feet. It is located in the remote northeast section of Death Valley National Park. There is no NPS staff on site at this first-come, first-serve campground. This is the most remote campground that has a camp host. In this location there is no cell service or internet connectivity. A radio and satellite phone is provided for emergency communications. Laundry facilities are available within a 2-mile drive. The nearest full service town with doctors, pharmacies and grocery stores is Pahrump, NV approximately a 2.5 hour drive from the campground.
The camp host site will accommodate smaller RV units of up to 28 feet. The host site also comes with a fire ring, water, and sewer connections but no electricity. Hosts at Mesquite Spring Campground must provide their own solar arrangement to generate sufficient electricity and comfort during 20 degree overnight temperatures and extended periods of clouds. A storage shed for tools and personal belongings is provided at the host site.
A minimum 3 month commitment is preferred.
Compensation:
The host site is a partial hookup (water and sewer), free laundry facilities at Grapevine, reimbursement for propane use, and paid mileage for work-related travel.
DUTIES
Daily tasks include:
· Extending a warm welcome to park visitors, answering their questions, and listening to their concerns.
· Providing park information, directions, and orientation to visitors.
· Checking for compliance with paying the park entrance and camping fees.
· Reminding campers of campground rules such as generator hours, leashing pets, and proper food storage.
· Posting payment and/or regulation reminder forms at campsites when necessary.
· Recording statistics on campground usage.
· Posting signs on bulletin boards.
· Alerting NPS staff of unsafe conditions and equipment that needs repaired.
· Relaying fee machine issues to your supervisor.
· Attempting to resolve conflicts of a non-violent nature such as excessive noise or out-of-bounds camping.
· Recognizing when to call for law enforcement or emergency medical assistance and utilizing radios to do so. Radio training will be provided.
· Displaying the necessary flexibility and good judgement for adapting to changing conditions and various situations.
· Light maintenance is also required. Examples include repairing signs, cleaning fire rings, stocking restrooms, raking, picking up and disposing of trash, moving picnic tables, using hand tools and setting up caution barriers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to work well with others, including visitors and co-workers with diverse interests and views. Ability to handle the occasional upset, and/or irate camper in calm, professional, and competent manner. Ability to work independently, be a self-starter, adapt readily to frequent change, and maintain a positive attitude. Desire to perform meaningful and sometimes challenging work for personal fulfillment. Ability to live in a remote area with few amenities. A safe driving record, valid driving license, and dependable personal transportation required.
SKILLS
Backpacking/Camping
Drivers License
General Assistance
Visitor Information
Working with People
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts. Outside work may be performed under extreme weather conditions with temperatures of 40-120 degrees. Wind and dust can be frequent, along with occasional rain.
JOB HAZARDS
General housekeeping
Slip, trip, and fall hazards
BACKGROUND/REFERENCE CHECK REQUIRED
Yes