Job Description
CAMPGROUND: Canyon Ferry Reservoir
DEPT: Bureau of Reclamation
AVAILABILITY: 5/7/2020–9/13/2020
RV INFORMATION: Trailer/RV Pads
DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Activities• Campground Host • Visitor Information Photo Courtesy of USBR DescriptionVolunteer Campground Host – Summer 2020 Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Helena, MT Multiple Campground Locations Season Dates: 05/7/2020 – 09/13/2020 Difficulty: Average Number of positions: Nine (9) (Each position can be held by a couple or an individual) Position: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is recruiting for 9 “live in” volunteer campground hosts for 6 campgrounds at Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Hosts assist Reclamation staff with the day-to-day operation of maintaining safe and clean campgrounds. Hosts are responsible for informing the public of rules and regulations; as well as assisting in keeping the campground clean and functioning. This position is supported by Reclamation administrative and maintenance personnel. Daily Duties: Contacts campground visitors, assists in locating campsites and paying proper fees as needed, provides information on campground rules and regulations, and answers questions. Completes rounds of the campground, ensures compliance with campground rules and regulations, and resolves minor disputes. Checks for fee compliance. Remains available in the campground for visitor questions/problems. Receives visitor comments and complaints; deals with visitor needs as able. Monitors campground reservations through an online system. Reviews Daily Arrival Reports (DAR) and updates post reservation markers for reservable campsites. Maintains communications with Reclamation staff. Reports maintenance issues and safety concerns. Prepares daily visitor/camper occupancy records. Maintains host time and mileage records. Notifies law enforcement officers and emergency services of extenuating circumstances: emergency medical, law enforcement, fire, and search and rescue incidents. Hosts have no enforcement authority but serve as “eyes and ears” providing for the security of the campground and must be prepared to deal with a wide range of circumstances that may arise at any hour of the day or night. Maintains a clean and welcoming campground experience through the cleaning of restrooms, campsites, and the surrounding grounds. Hosts are responsible for the daily cleaning and restocking of restroom facilities, daily cleaning of campsites to include cleaning out fire pits, emptying trash receptacles at several locations, and some grounds maintenance in certain locations. Along with other minor items of stocking and cleaning. Represents the Bureau of Reclamation in a professional manner at all times. Optional Duties: There is an opportunity for one host at a time to staff the Reclamation Visitor Center from 1pm-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Mileage will be paid from the host’s site to the Visitor Center, located at the main camp area at 7700 Canyon Ferry Rd. Duties include answering questions and providing directions to the general public. Please inquire for more information. Multiple hosts can share this opportunity. Commitment Required: This position is from May 7th through September 13th, 2020. A summer long commitment is needed to assist with the high visitor-use season. Hosts will reside in and assist with operations of the campgrounds 5 days a week (including weekends) followed by 2 consecutive days off. Specific scheduling will be discussed prior to offering this volunteer position. Campground hosts typically “work” evenings, weekends, and holidays during the busiest time periods. Housing and Amenities: Campground host(s) are required to bring their own living facility and transportation. At least one dedicated campground host site is located at each of the campgrounds. Most of these host sites have full-hook ups (electric, water, sewage dump) for a self-contained trailer or recreational vehicle. There are some exceptions that will be explained prior to offering this volunteer position (water is not immediately available at two sites). Basic flip style cell phones are provided to hosts for professional use. Standard cellular service in the campgrounds is reliable. All tools and supplies necessary for cleaning and light maintenance duties are provided by Reclamation staff. Optional Equipment: Reclamation cannot provide smartphones, data plans, or vehicles to hosts. If hosts choose to use their own vehicles to complete rounds, mileage may be reimbursed. If hosts choose not to use their own smartphones and data to receive reports and check email, arrangements to get paper copies can be made. Cell phone minutes and data plans cannot be reimbursed. Work Environment: Canyon Ferry’s campgrounds are scattered around the reservoir, presenting an array of work environments. All campgrounds have many day users, which are recreationists that stay throughout the day, but do not camp. Riverside Campground has 27 paved campsites, 1 group use campsite with shelter, 6 pit toilets, an accessible fishing dock, a boat ramp with dock and day use picnic area. This popular location below the dam attracts many boaters and fisherman. This campground is operated by 1 host. Court Sheriff Campground has 44 paved campsites, 4 tent-only campsites, 6 pit toilets and lots of day use. This is a busy area with many campers who visit every summer. This campground is operated by 1 host. The Roving Campground Host also resides in this campground. Roving Campground Host – The roving host resides at Court Sheriff Campground. The roving host is responsible for covering all host duties at any of the six (6) campgrounds, if the resident campground host is absent for any reason during their regularly scheduled tour of duty or on their scheduled weekend. If another campground host vacates their position prior to the end of the season, the roving host may be asked to relocate to that campground. Chinamen’s Campground has 37 gravel sites and 5 pit toilets. This unconventional campground draws in tent and RV campers alike. Ample swimming and fishing opportunities from the shoreline draw in a lot of day use visitors. This campground is operated by 1 host. Jo Bonner Campground has 17 newly remodeled gravel pads, 2 pit toilets, and an adjoining boat ramp with dock. This quaint campground is a popular location for families, fisherman and day users. This campground is operated by 1 host. Hellgate Campground is the largest campground; boasting 68 gravel campsites, 3 group use campsites with shelters, 16 pit toilets, a flush toilet and 2 boat ramps with docks. This campground is isolated about 15 minutes from the more concentrated campgrounds at the northern part of the lake. This campground is staffed with 3 hosts. White Earth Campground is the most remote established campground. It has 36 gravel campsites, 5 pit toilets, 1 group use campsite with shelter, and a boat ramp with dock. This campground is operated by 1 host. We recruit and perform interviews for Canyon Ferry campground hosts overall; then work together with potential hosts to find the best campground for each host or hosting couple. Training Provided: Orientation training that includes all aspects of campground operations, and 1st Aid/CPR training will be provided. Skills Desired: Strong personal communication skills. Desire, willingness, and enthusiasm in providing information to visitors. Ability to work well with others, including visitors and staff with diverse interests and views. Ability to handle upset and/or irate visitors in a calm, professional, and competent manner. Ability to work independently, be a self-starter, adapt readily to change, and maintain a positive attitude. Good administrative skills. Enjoy working in an organized, dependable, safe manner. Ability to listen and relay information. Ability to live happily in a semi-remote area with few amenities. Ability to walk short distances. Ability to bend over and lift objects. Uniform: Volunteers will be provided with uniforms, including shirts or vests, a ball cap and a light jacket. Requirements: Safe driving record, valid driver’s license, and dependable personal transportation required. Benefits: Hosts are provided a camping spot with full hookups (some exceptions), mileage reimbursement at the going volunteer government rate (currently $0.14 a mile) and a stipend of $34 a day, 5 days a week (per host site) Hosts are also eligible for an Interagency Volunteer Pass once they have completed 250 hours of volunteering. Area Information: Canyon Ferry is a reservoir 20 miles east of Montana’s Capitol City, Helena. The reservoir covers 52 square miles; making it Montana’s 3rd largest body of water. The reservoir and surrounding lands offer a plethora of recreational activities; From boating and fishing, to camping and hiking. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/130 https://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/canyonferry/