Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000b23TAAQ/blm-valley-of-fires-camp-host
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ADDRESS: Valley of Fires NRA; 6158 U.S. 380; Carrizozo, New Mexico 88301
DEPT: Bureau of Land Management
DATES: 10/15/2022 – 3/15/2023
DESCRIPTION:
Valley of Fires Camp Host or Host Couple
The BLM, Roswell Field Office, is looking for a volunteer Campground Host for the Valley of Fires Campground. Hosts will reside on site and work 5 days a week (Thursday through Monday) and are needed year round in 6-month terms. If hosts are a couple, only one person is expected to be on duty (and can receive a financial reimbursement for days worked). The Campground Host’s RV site has full hook-ups; propane, water, sewage, shaded grill area and fenced in yard.
Campground Host will routinely operate a UTV or golf cart in the campground and occasionally may operate BLM vehicle or small equipment. Hosts will be expected to go through defensive driving class and background checks.
The main duties will be to engage with visitors and ensure that they have a safe enjoyable time at the campground, monitor fee requirements and compliance, perform daily reservation updates through Recreation.gov, conduct patrols of the campground and trails, maintain, spot-clean and re-stock shower-house and vault toilets, keep campground presentable and grounds maintained to increase visitor’s positive experience, and other duties as assigned. Host will also routinely answer/return phone calls and voicemails from the public in a timely manner. The host is required to perform all duties while presenting a professional and polite image to the public and other BLM staff.
Host is expected to be devoted to the Campground and be available during daytime and weekend hours as needed by recreation area users. Host must also be self-sufficient and have reliable personal vehicle to use for grocery runs and any other personal needs.
Pets are only permitted if approved by BLM Supervisor PRIOR to accepting the position. Pets must be leashed at all times.
- Assist the public with any questions they may have regarding recreation area rules, procedures and use of equipment.
- Ensure fee compliance by campers. Host directs and instructs campers to make payment but does not collect fees or have fee responsibilities.
- Host will make daily updates to reservation campsites (Recreation.gov). Half of the sites are reservable, and the other half are first come first served.
- Report any necessary information (damage, injuries, dumping or other misc. problems) to supervisor and BLM Law Enforcement as needed.
- Spot clean vault toilets, shower-house, and replace toiletries.
- Maintain BLM provided equipment and inform supervisor of any needs or required servicing.
- Host will be required to provide campground maintenance and upkeep at Valley of Fires campground and the 3/4 mile Malpais Nature Trail. This includes mowing, weed eating, weed removal around signs and along pathways, watering trees and other landscaping needs. Will also perform light maintenance tasks such as painting, sign repairs, trash pickup/transfer and removing ashes from grills and fire rings, sweep and clean shelters, and monitoring water and mechanical systems.
- Provide supervisor with a documented record of hours worked in this position.
Hours:
- A minimum of 30 hours per week will be necessary in this position. Host will be required to work weekends and holidays. Days off will be a choice of Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
- The host will inform the BLM supervisor if they will need to be absent from the Campground or if they need to take time off during their regular schedule.
- Previous Camp host experience a plus but not required.
- Must provide strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on customer service. This position involves continually meeting and conversing with many different types of recreation area visitors. The Host must be able to communicate with the public both clearly and courteously while promoting a professional image at all times.
- Host must present a neat and clean appearance while maintaining an orderly living site. Items other than camp unit and camp equipment shall be stored out of sight within privacy fence or shed, not around the campsite.
- Reservation system experience preferred but not necessary.
- Ability to operate cell-phones or Ipads/tablets to collect reservation reports.
- Carpentry
- Clerical/Office Machines
- Drivers License
- General Assistance
- Hand Power Tools
- Other Trade Skills
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
At the Valley of Fires Recreation Area, elevation is around 5,300 ft. ASL. Winter is mild but can be cold and it is not uncommon to receive several snow storms. Summers are mild-hot, highs in the 80s-100 with monsoon rains generally beginning mid-July and can continue into October. The Valley of Fires is located a short drive away from the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. A wide variety of wildlife inhabit the area. The campground has 25 sites (13 Full-Service sites, 6 water-only or no amenities sites and 6 tent camping sites), a shower-house, 4 vault toilets, 2 group shelters (1 electric and one non). 50% of the sites are on a reservation system (Recreation.gov) with the other half first-come, first served.
The campground is located approximately 4 miles west of the town of Carrizozo, NM. Carrizozo is a small town with 2 gas stations, several restaurants and shops as well as a dollar store. Nearby towns (located approximately an hours drive away) include Ruidoso, Capitan and Alamogordo which each hold additional shopping opportunities.
- General housekeeping
- Slip, trip, and fall hazards
- Equipment operation
- Yes