Job Description
CAMPGROUND: Lolo National Forest
DEPT: Forest Service
AVAILABILITY: 5/11/2020–9/14/2020
RV INFORMATION: Hosts must provide their own RV or camp trailer along with propane (if applicable). The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted.
DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Activities• Campground Host Photo Courtesy of FS DescriptionThis U.S. Forest Service volunteer position is an opportunity to live on the National Forest providing public service while hosting and maintaining the 22 unit Lee Creek Campground and day use picnic area. No monetary reimbursement is provided. Lee Creek Campground is located 26 miles west of the town of Lolo and approximately 30 miles west of the city of Missoula along scenic HWY 12 (paved, two-lane). At an elevation of 4200 ft., the campground is surrounded by a lodgepole, larch, Ponderosa pine, and spruce forest and is immediately adjacent to both Lee and Lolo Creeks. This 22 site campground is divided into a lower and upper loop. The loop roads and parking areas are paved. Restrooms, dumpsters, water, fire rings, picnic tables, and tent pads are provided to the public at this fee campground. Lolo Hot Springs, a commercial hot spring, lodge, and restaurant, is located one mile to the east of the campground. The Lolo Pass Visitor Center on the Montana/Idaho border is located six miles to the west. Many forest roads and hiking trails are also available to recreationists. The Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce National Historic Trails along with the Lee Ridge and Wagon Mountain trails can be accessed a short distance from the campground. Volunteer campground hosts are front-line representatives of the United States Forest Service. Few Forest Service employees have as much direct daily contact with members of the public as a volunteer campground host. Volunteer service is greatly appreciated and critical to achieving our Agency’s mission of protecting the land and serving the people! General duties include: Being a courteous, professional, and friendly host to forest visitors while representing the Agency Providing visitor information including: recreational opportunities, rules and regulations Maintaining the campground and picnic site to standard Monitoring fee compliance Ensuring a positive working relationship Season, Schedule, and Utilities: Campground hosts must be available from approximately May 15th thru Labor Day. Hosts volunteer five days a week, including weekends and holidays. A full season’s commitment is required. 2-5 hours per day/18-25 hours per week is a typical commitment. Hosts are on duty in both the morning and evening during daylight hours to greet visitors and to conduct fee compliance checks. The Recreation Manager will coordinate with the host regarding the time of day to complete maintenance duties. Days off will be taken mid-week on Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday. The host is not required to stay on site during days off. The campground host site parking spur is paved (12’x 58’) to accommodate a RV or camp trailer. A secondary pull out is provided for the host’s personal vehicle. Electricity, water, vault sewer, garbage, and phone service (local calls only) are provided by the Forest Service. Previous hosts have chosen to pay for additional services, including: long distance phone service using pre-paid calling cards, satellite television (DirectTV, Dish Network) and/or dial up internet (Peoplepc.com). Please note that there is no DSL through CenturyLink, the primary phone provider. Cell phone reception is available within several miles of the Town of Lolo. Hosts must provide their own RV or camp trailer along with propane (if applicable). The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted. Pets may be permitted on a case by case basis. Please note that all pets must be on a leash, including host pets, within the campground. Also, ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles must meet Montana State law (must be street legal) in order to ride on State and Forest Service roads. There is a mailbox for the host located at the campground entrance along HWY 12. The address is 38825 HWY 12, Lolo, MT 59847. Packages are usually delivered to the mailbox by the USPS, as long as they fit. Previous hosts have reported that FedEx and UPS will deliver to the campground; make sure to include the host site # (site # 5) in the address if requesting this special service. General Information: Full services including groceries, gas, and restaurants are available in the town of Lolo or in Missoula Lower loop: 5 sites; host site located at site #5 Upper loop: 17 sites Picnic area: 1 site Campground fee rate: $10.00 per day; Additional $4.00 fee for an extra vehicle. Limit of two motor vehicles per site Maximum stay permitted: 16 days Average parking apron size: 12′ x 40′ Number of parking pull thru’s: 7 Hook ups: Host site only Number of restrooms: 4 (single unit) Number of water spigots: 9 Number of dumpsters: 3 (with Monday pick-up) Number of bear resistant garbage cans: 0 Food and attractant storage regulations are in effect to prevent wildlife/human conflicts Fee and Regulation Compliance: Ensuring that campers pay their fees is one of the host’s primary duties. Fees collected at the site pay for the host’s utilities, garbage service, water, site improvements, and law enforcement patrols. Campground hosts conduct both morning and evening checks to verify that campers have paid their fees and are abiding by vehicle limits and campground rules. The host records fee permit and license plate information that is submitted to the Forest Service to verify payment. Hosts request that visitors pay the fee when they have failed to do so. The Forest Service relies on these fees to operate and maintain our campgrounds and also to provide the host’s utilities. Hosts also inform visitors about general regulations including: food storage, quiet hours (10 p.m.-6 a.m.), parking, and leashing pets. Hosts are required to wear a volunteer uniform polo shirt and nameplate while conducting rounds. Campground Maintenance: All supplies, tools, and equipment are provided by the Forest Service. Ensuring a clean and well maintained campground for the public is of the utmost importance. Daily campground maintenance duties include: Cleaning and stocking restrooms Shoveling and cleaning out fire rings Monitoring the water system to ensure it is operating properly Emptying the bear resistant trash can, as needed Mowing / line trimming (as needed) Sweeping parking spurs (handheld blower is provided) and roadways, as needed Reporting vandalism or facilities that are in need of repair Litter pick up Painting picnic tables Volunteering as a campground host for the U. S. Forest Service provides a great service to the public and most hosts find the experience rewarding. We thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Lolo National Forest. Applicants must submit: a volunteer application a resume with past work or volunteer experience and three references agree to a background investigation completed by the Forest Service if tentatively selected for the position If you have questions or are interested in this position, feel free to contact Ryan McFarland at the Missoula Ranger District at (406)-329-3970 or by email ryan.mcfarland@usda.gov. We look forward to hearing from you! HOUSING & AMENITIESType: Trailer/RV PadsDescription: Hosts must provide their own RV or camp trailer along with propane (if applicable). The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted.