Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000jeQIAAY/rocky-shore-and-seabird-interpretive-host
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ADDRESS: Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge; US Highway 101; Brookings, Oregon
DEPT: Fish & Wildlife Service
DATES: 5/19/2023 – 8/21/2023
DESCRIPTION:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking volunteers to serve as Rocky Shore and Seabird interpreters for Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Oregon State Parks in 2023. The opportunity is located at Harris Beach State Recreation Area overlooking a sandy beach, rocky shore and coastal islands.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages six National Wildlife Refuges that span 320 miles of Oregon’s scenic coastline. Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge includes 1,853 rocks, reefs and islands along the Oregon coast that provide habitat for 1.2 million nesting seabirds including Common Murre, Tufted Puffin, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, and Western Gull. Although these rocks and islands are closed to public use year round for public safety and to provide undisturbed sanctuary for marine wildlife, there are many locations along the coast where visitors can view seabirds and marine mammals. This is the case at Harris Beach State Recreation Area where visitors to the park get distant views of seabirds nesting on Goat Island as well as seals and sea lions that use the island as a haulout.
Oregon State Parks manages Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area, which includes all beaches and rocky shores along the coast. Rocky shores are a defining feature of the dramatic 360-mile long coastline of Oregon; in fact the rocky intertidal habitat along Harris Beach is open to public use and is a popular location for visitors in the summer months. Harris Beach has special protection as a State Marine Garden, one of only seven in Oregon. Marine Gardens are areas targeted for educational programs that allow visitors to enjoy and learn about intertidal resources by making it illegal to collect any marine invertebrate.
The volunteer(s) will be responsible for providing interpretation for visitors on the seabirds, marine mammals and tidepools at a few locations weekly: Harris Beach State Park, Lone Ranch beach and Arch Rock wayside. It may also include visiting other locations within the Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Specifically, the volunteer will be roving the beaches, rocky intertidal areas and viewing platforms to engage with visitors about the natural history of the marine environment. The volunteer will be expected to work cooperatively with Oregon State Park staff and its volunteers.
The Rocky Shore Interpretive position requires volunteers to give a total of 20 hours per week. For schedules, the volunteer is on duty Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of each week. Each daily shift is five hours in duration, start times vary according to the daily tide. Volunteers use their own vehicle to travel to the work site. The state nor federal government have vehicles available for use.
Duties may include:
1. Providing interpretation on the seabirds and marine mammals of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge using binoculars, field guides, spotting scopes, an interpretive box and signs.
2. Delivering evening campground programs for campers at Harris Beach State Recreation Area on the subject of seabirds or marine mammals. The program is in powerpoint and is provided by the USFWS or the volunteer can create her/his own. A laptop and projector is provided by OPRD. This activity is optional.
3. Speaking with visitors about the purpose of the wildlife refuge, answer their wildlife and park related questions, and identify wildlife.
4. Helping protect park and refuge resources and ensure visitor safety by informing visitors of potential safety hazards, reporting safety hazards and instances of lawbreaking to the Refuge Law Enforcement Officer, and attempting to correct minor infractions through interpretation. Document illegal visits or trespass into closed areas. Volunteers shall not engage in law enforcement.
5. As needed, assist with trash pickup with bucket/bag, gloves, and litter stick at park locations.
6. Visit multiple locations in the Harris Beach State Recreation Area and the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor to engage with visitors and ensure wildlife and visitors remain safe.
Requirements for the position include enthusiasm, willingness to work weekends and holidays with minimal supervision and the desire and ability to interact with the public in a friendly and professional manner. The position requires the volunteer to spend his/her volunteer hours on ocean beaches, in rocky intertidal areas and occasionally on viewing platforms. A tolerance for inclement weather is necessary though work will be canceled if it is raining constantly. No prior knowledge of seabirds or marine mammals is required; volunteers will receive an onsite orientation and a handbook filled with information on the refuge and its wildlife. The volunteer(s) must consent to having a criminal background investigation conducted by Oregon State Parks.
In return for volunteering, Oregon State Parks will provide a free full RV hookup in the B Loop of the campground within the Harris Beach State Recreation Area. The hookup includes water, sewer, and 50 AMP electrical. There is full cell reception in the campground as well as good satellite dish reception; however, wi-fi is not available. Also note that the locking mailbox for volunteers is small and the USPS will not deliver large packages to the small box requiring the volunteer to drive to the Brookings USPS station to retrieve packages.
- Conservation Education
- Fish/Wildlife
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
- Slip, trip, and fall hazards
- Yes