Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000kn1nAAA/orilla-verde-recreation-area-campground-host
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ADDRESS: Taos Field Office; 226 Cruz Alta Road; Taos, New Mexico 87571
DEPT: Bureau of Land Management
DATES: 4/1/2023 – 11/1/2023
DESCRIPTION:
Volunteer Campground Host for Orilla Verde Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office, is looking for volunteer Campground Hosts in Orilla Verde Recreation Area within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. The Campground Host will serve as an official BLM representative in the recreation area. He/she greets visitors, provides information to the public, and helps with campground management. Daily tasks include but are not limited to ensuring visitor compliance with rules and regulations, monitoring daily campground and day use fee compliance, cleaning and stocking restrooms, picking up litter, and performing light maintenance tasks. Most of all, Camphosts ensure that park visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit and, in the process, have an enjoyable time themselves! The host is expected to be committed to their duties at the recreation area and be available during daytime and weekend hours, therefore outside work or existing jobs are not permitted while being a host for BLM. Couples are encouraged. Preference given for a minimum 4-month commitment. Background checks will be conducted. COVID safe practices are required as directed by the Department of Interior, BLM and local policy. Masks are required to be worn inside buildings and when within 6 feet of the public or staff. Proof of vaccination may be required.
- Become familiar with and abide by the recreation area rules.
- Answer questions, provide basic information and assistance to the public and maintain their cooperation with applicable rules and regulations. Information should primarily relate to Orilla Verde and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, recreation opportunities, the general area, interpretive programs, travel routes, weather conditions, and services available.
- Assist BLM in promoting acceptance of campground and site rules by advising visitors about the rules, especially if problems appear to be occurring that would result in disturbance to other visitors, damage to natural resources or the facilities, or present any hazard. Monitor use in the recreation area daily to identify violations and explain regulations.
- Ensure fee compliance. Assist campers with registration. Campground Hosts do not collect money or have fee duties.
- Report public disturbances, criminal actions, property damage, personal accidents, fatalities or injuries, and fires to the BLM supervisor and law enforcement for proper action. Phone numbers will be provided.
- Check and clean all toilets daily within campground and during patrol checks, replace toilet paper rolls as needed, pick up litter in and around the toilet buildings and sweep out dirt, insects etc.
- Assist BLM park rangers with light maintenance tasks such as painting, sign repairs, trash pickup/transfer and weed removal around signs and along paths, removing ashes from grills and fire rings, sweep and clean shelters, and monitoring water and mechanical systems.
- Wear at least one part of the BLM volunteer uniform when on duty; consisting of hat, volunteer vest, and name tag.
- Work occasional 4-hour shifts at Rio Grande Gorge Visitor center, which includes providing information to users, issuing federal use passes, and conducting sales for our interpretive association.
- Patrol trails and other BLM recreation sites in the area.
- Attend scheduled volunteer and/or staff meetings. Notify supervisor if you need to reschedule for any reason.
- Document all volunteer hours spent working as the Campground host and turn them in monthly to supervisor.
HOURS PER WEEK
The hours are flexible. A minimum of 30 hours per week (6 hours per day, 5 day per work week) is normal and weekend work is expected. Days off should be planned for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Hours of work are negotiable and holiday work is expected. The host will inform the BLM supervisor if they will be absent from the recreation area or if they need to take time off during their regular schedule.
- A successful Campground Host will have strong interpersonal skills, a passion to promote and protect natural resources through responsible recreation, and a strong sense of integrity to follow through with the duties as describe with a positive attitude.
- Much of the position involves meeting and conversing with many different types of recreation site visitors. The Host must therefore be able to communicate with the public in a friendly and courteous manner.
- As a representative of the BLM, Host must be able to project a positive image to the public. Host must have a neat and clean appearance while keeping a maintained and orderly living site. Items other than camp unit and camp equipment shall be stored out of sight, not around the campsite.
- Experience with 4WD operation a plus.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- Host must be able to house him/herself on-site in a self-contained camping unit . The camping unit and area around the unit must remain clean and orderly. Tarps and other personnel items should not be left around the area unless approved by the Host’s supervisor.
- Pets are only permitted with prior approval by BLM Supervisor. Approved pets must be kept on leash or kenneled at all times. Cats will not be allowed to roam within or around the hosts campground site. The BLM Supervisor will be contacted for approval prior to the host having any new pets living at the site.
- The planting of gardens or placement of decorative objects around the Host site will be approved by the Host’s supervisor prior to installation.
- The Host is not authorized to purchase items or supplies (e.g. fuel, signs) for BLM without authorization from the Host’s BLM Supervisor. Firearms are allowed within the Host Site with notification of the Host’s BLM Supervisor. If firearms are kept at the Host Site area they will be secured in an area such as a locked cabinet or gun safe.
- COVID safe practices are required as directed by the Department of Interior, BLM and local policy. Masks are required to be worn inside buildings and when within 6 feet of the public or staff. Proof of vaccination may be required.
- Backpacking/Camping
- Conservation Education
- Drivers License
- General Assistance
- Hand Power Tools
- Office/Clerical
- Visitor Information
Orilla Verde Recreation Area is managed by BLM Taos Field Office and is part of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. There are 7 campgrounds located along the Rio Grande within the 600′ deep Rio Grande Gorge, a bustling visitor center, and over 30 miles of hiking trails. The Rio Grande river flows southward through this majestic canyon, home to New Mexico’s most popular whitewater boating, and there is ample opportunity to see many bird and wildlife species, including bighorn sheep, river otter, coyote, bobcat beaver, golden eagle, western tanager, blue heron. Elevation is approximately 6100’, and daytime temperatures in the summer can reach into the 90’s, while evenings are always pleasantly cool. The area offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, boating, bird watching, mountain biking, picnicking, camping and fishing, painting and photography. There is no internet or cell phone service in the campgrounds, but the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center offers internet and laundry facilities for staff.
Rio Bravo Campground
The Rio Bravo campground is located 16 miles south and west of Taos, NM, down in the Rio Grande Gorge at the southern end of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. It is approximately 1.5 miles from the visitor center. It has 8 campsites with shelters, 4 pull-thru RV sites with water/electric hookup, and one reservation-only group shelter, a flush toilet restroom with coin-operated showers, and is close to several trailheads and a nearby popular boat ramp. Host site includes a concrete pad, water/electric/sewer/phone connection, shade/storage structure and tremendous views.
Rio Pueblo Campground
The Rio Pueblo campground is located 22 miles south and west of Taos, NM, down in the Rio Grande Gorge at the southern end of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. It is approximately 6 miles from the visitor center. It has 6 campsites with vault toilets, is close to several trailheads and a nearby popular boat ramp. Volunteers share maintenance and patrol responsibilities of these sites with the nearby Taos Junction campground host. Host site includes a gravel pad, shade shelter, electric/sewer/phone connection, and tremendous views. No water hookup available, potable water needs to be hauled from nearby Taos Junction campground.
Position benefits include full hook-up host site (water, electric, septic, phone ), modest daily reimbursement and mileage if personal vehicle used on duty, training opportunities. There is no cell service or internet connection on site.