Volunteer
Job Description
Look for listing titled, “*A Site On the Suwannee River!! Park Resident Campground Host start May 2023”
Do you love being on the Suwannee River, enjoy The Real Florida? If so, you are in luck. Volunteer opportunities are available for a river side site on the Suwannee River. Site is full hook up, water electric and sewer. There are five river camps along the Suwannee River, in Hamilton County, Lafayette County, and Suwannee County. Each camp consists of five screened in platforms and five primitive sites for visitors to utilize, as well as bathrooms and showers. Each river camp has its own campground host site. Due to the rural area to the site, camping units 35 and under can be accommodated. A beautiful scenic drive to the river camps makes for a relaxing day. Come enjoy the Suwannee River and meet great visitors from the river.
Time Commitment: Flexible days of 20 hours per week per site
OVERVIEW:
The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail consist of 5 river camps with 5 screened in platforms and 5 primitive sites for visitors off the river. Position of host is to keep river camp clean, orderly and maintained while following Florida State Park Standards.
POSITION GOALS/OUTCOMES:
Make guests and visitors feel welcome by providing information and assistance while conveying a friendly and professional Florida Park Service image.
Keep platforms, sites and restrooms clean, safe and well maintained.
DUTIES & RESPONISBILITIES:
Maintain includes leveling and emptying the fire rings, locating picnic tables out of non-designated area. Cleaning out platform from trash and sand.
As a campground host, you serve as the camping area’s Ambassador and first point of contact for overnight guest, as well as daily visitors. Therefore, you must be available and able to answer visitor’s inquiries in a thoughtful and courteous manner, and to tactfully advise (not enforce) and inform guests of the rules and regulations.
Make minor repairs to lights and fixtures, fences and water faucets.
Mow and trim grass on and around sites and along the service road shoulder.
Maintain and clean the bathhouses to a high level of sanitation and safety.
Maintain the cleaning supply levels and advise park staff of supply needs.
Clean debris and remove downed limbs in all common areas which includes pavilions, sidewalks, boat launch area, and service roads.
Checking the safety of the river camp, identifying and removing hazards as appropriate.
Report maintenance or safety issues and rules and regulations issues to the Ranger on duty during regular park hours or to the Manager or Assistant Manager for any necessary after-hours incident.
Check and sign of on fire extinguishers and AED’s
Keep count of visitation at river camp.
Check chlorine in water twice a week.
If leaving from site more than 24 hours please let On Duty Ranger know.
BENEFITS:
Campsite in exchange for an RV site with electric, water and sewage.
Personal enrichment and experience working in a state park setting.
Be a part of the Florida Park Service family, working alongside like-minded people.
Join us in all park staff gatherings (potlucks, celebrations, holiday parties, etc.)
You will be provided the appropriate volunteer uniform and a nametag
Complete the first 50 hours of service, you will receive a family pass for free entrance to the park where you are currently serving and six free entrances to most state parks*.
Complete 250 hours of service, you will receive a special volunteer annual pass for you and your family to most state parks*.
Receive additional pins and certificates awards at 250, 500 and more hours.
Sign the Volunteer Agreement (required annually), provides coverage by the State of Florida workers’ compensation and liability.
Complete required training to understand expectations.
* Request passes from your park Volunteer Manager. Some restrictions apply. Expires one year after received
REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Campground host experience is desirable but not required.
Standing and/or sitting for long periods of time.
Light to moderate lifting, 15 – 50 lbs.
Physically able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Familiar with tools and some heavy equipment. Some experience with lawn maintenance equipment and tools is helpful but not necessary.
Able to communicate in a friendly, effective, and professional manner.
Able to work independently and with staff and other volunteers effectively.
Able to maintain a safe working environment by wearing proper safety equipment and following safety requirements listed for all tools and equipment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/SITE DESCRIPTION:
Meet the minimum of 20 hours per week per campsite
Record hours using the Volunteer Portal
With proof of a valid driver’s license, use authorized vehicles on service roads and trails and check/fill fluids and clean vehicles after each use
TRAINING/PREREQUISITS:
In the Volunteer Portal, have a Volunteer Application and a current Volunteer Agreement and Volunteer DEP Annual Combo Training, both renewed annually. Complete the Code of Ethics and Bloodborne Pathogens training online as well.
You may be asked to provide a valid driver’s license.
For more information, go to https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/pages/app:IZCYAJOH4MPNH73M and look for listing titled, “*A Site On the Suwannee River!! Park Resident Campground Host start May 2023”