Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000itcyAAA/visitor-servicesoutreach-volunteer
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ADDRESS: Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge; 1547 County Route 565; Sussex, New Jersey 07461
DEPT: Fish & Wildlife Service
DATES: 5/1/2023 – 10/27/2023
DESCRIPTION:
Visitor services RV volunteer position at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in Sussex, New Jersey.
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge is seeking enthusiastic, friendly, and outgoing volunteers to assist staff in the day to day activities of the refuge. Wallkill River NWR is located in semi-rural Sussex, New Jersey, just 90-minutes northwest of New York City. The refuge was established to conserve and enhance populations of wildlife and their habitats, to protect and enhance water quality, and to provide opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation and research. The refuge conserves the biological diversity of the Wallkill Valley by protecting and managing land, with a special emphasis on forest-dwelling and grassland birds, migrating waterfowl, wintering raptors, and endangered species. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan identifies the Wallkill River bottomlands as a priority focus area for waterfowl management within New Jersey. In addition to its proximity to the Appalachian Trail, the Refuge contains an indoor archery bay, canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier, six nature trails, pavilion, and Visitor Contact Station.
We are seeking resident volunteers with an interest in visitor services/public outreach/environmental education for the 2023 season. We can provide RV hookups for electricity and water, in exchange for 24 hours per week for a single volunteer and 32 hours per week for a volunteer couple. A laundry facility is also free and on-site.
DUTIES
Visitor Services volunteers staff the refuge visitor contact station, greet and orient visitors, answer the phone, help operate a small nature store, issue America the Beautiful passes, keep visitor contact station tidy, and brochure racks filled. Resident volunteers can assist with environmental education programs, outreach, and special events if interested. There is a need for volunteers to lead archery classes (National Archery in the Schools Program), as well as potentially assist with refuge fishing events. A willingness to work weekends is required (typical schedule includes Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Volunteers may be asked to assist with light maintenance work (trail maintenance, visitor contact station upkeep) if interested.
A valid driver’s license and a defensive driving course (provided) are required to operate a government vehicle. Applicants with FWS training certificates are always in demand.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Work with staff, other volunteers, and the general public.
• Participate in on-site job training as necessary (Archery In Schools Instructor, kayak instructor, UTV, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively to the public about rules and regulations in a courteous, friendly, tactful, and intelligent manner
• Desire to converse and inform visitors about wildlife and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on the Refuge and surrounding areas
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
• Wear a volunteer uniform, and maintain a neat and professional appearance
• Valid driver’s license
• Interest, skills and background in working on maintenance projects (grounds keeping, mechanics, carpentry) are desired. Must be in good physical condition and able to work in warm temperatures among biting insects.
• Must commit to a minimum of 3 months.
• 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
Boat Operation
Clerical/Office Machines
Conservation Education
Drivers License
First Aid Certificate
General Assistance
Office/Clerical
Photography
Public Speaking
Sign Language
Teaching
Visitor Information
Working with People
Writing/Editing
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Indoors and Outdoors. Summer temps range from the 70’s to 80’s and will reach above 90 on occasional days; high humidity levels can be expected. During the summer months there are a high density of mosquitoes and biting flies, and ticks are present year-round. Personal protective equipment will be provided. Visitor services work will be both outdoors at the Owens Station tract and indoors at the visitor contact station and the headquarters office where air-conditioning is available. RV Volunteers typically work solo, as a couple, or in small groups with staff and other volunteers on Refuge priority projects in outdoor settings, or in a workshop. Public events, seasonally, are also part of this position including the preparation, set up/take down.
JOB HAZARDS
General housekeeping
Slip, trip, and fall hazards
BACKGROUND/REFERENCE CHECK REQUIRED
Yes