Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000c4kSAAQ/resident-volunteer-duo-or-single-visitor-services
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ADDRESS:
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
11372 Hwy 143
Farmerville, Louisiana 71241
DEPT: Fish & Wildlife Service
DATES: 4/30/2023 – 7/31/2023
DESCRIPTION:
The refuge needs help with environmental education, visitor services and light maintenance in May and June. Can start in April and/or stay through summer. Volunteer duo or single provides their own housing (RV/Camper). Must commit to May and June but longer stay is possible.
Volunteers will assist staff with day to day operations working flexible hours; may include some evening hours and Saturdays. Primary tasks involve visitor services and environmental education. Such as staffing the visitor center and nature store, greeting visitors, answering phones, and providing information to visitors. Working on the Story Trail Project involves laminating, velcroing, photo copying, and setting up and taking down each month’s book on the trail. Opportunity for creating/designing worksheets or temporary displays relating to the month’s story book. Will also assist with environmental education programs, outreach and maybe assist with a youth summer camp. Opportunity for program development and creativity. Other tasks include light maintenance such as picking up litter, stocking permit boxes, taking out trash or cleaning after a visit from youth/adult groups. Opportunity to help with trail maintenance /gardening such as mowing, weeding, mulching, and watering.
Volunteers must provide their own factory-built RV. Refuge has two sites with full hookups, including electricity, water and sewer. Free Wi-Fi internet service is available. A building for resident volunteers has refrigerator, ice machine, laundry and shower facilities. Commitment of at least 2 months, May and June is required but opportunity to start in March or April / or extend stay through summer is available. Volunteers agree to contribute at least 20 to 28 hours per week per individual.
DUTIES
Duties vary with volunteer experience, but include filling bird feeders, mowing, weeding, landscape maintenance, picking up trash, installing/maintenance of signs, trail maintenance (filling holes, trimming vegetation) and other facility maintenance like sweeping, mopping, painting or light construction.
Duties may also include working the reception/welcome desk for the visitor center. Greeting the public, answering phone calls, visitor orientation, and making sales in the small, Friends Nature Store. Unlocking and locking up meeting room when used in the evening or over the weekend.
Assistance with education and interpretation is needed and very welcomed. Tasks include photocopying, laminating, cutting, pasting, creating/designing worksheets and table top displays; preparing and helping with crafts and lessons; and leading refuge tours including bird/nature walks. Setting up and taking down the monthly book on the Story Trail.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking for Resident Volunteers who are flexible, easy-going, and self-motivated. We are a small, busy staff that are often juggling many projects at once. This means that we often change direction quickly and frequently, and we need everyone on our team to be able to adjust to those changes. If your personality and work style is to be very structured and planned out, this may not be your ideal position. BUT, if you are flexible and enjoy a varied and fun work environment with freedom to take initiative, you’ll have a great experience here.
SKILLS
Carpentry
Conservation Education
Drivers License
Fish/Wildlife
General Assistance
Hand Power Tools
Visitor Information
Working with People
JOB HAZARDS
General housekeeping
Slip, trip, and fall hazards
Equipment maintenance
High heat and humidity during summer months
BACKGROUND/REFERENCE CHECK REQUIRED
Yes