Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000nJkBAAU/park-host-volunteer-at-bake-stewart-dayuse-park-dorena-lake
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ADDRESS: Dorena Lake; 75819 Shortridge Hill Road; Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
DEPT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
DATES: 5/12/2023 – 9/10/2023
DESCRIPTION:
Spend your summer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley and the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West”. We are seeking a single person or a team of two to serve as a volunteer park host at Bake Stewart day-use park located along Dorena Lake.
The Recreation Operations of the Willamette Valley Project (WVP) is seeking a highly motivated, energetic single person or 2-person team to serve as a park host. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Bake Stewart Park Host is to open and close the gate at Harms Park and aid in visitor assistance. Additionally, they will help the park rangers be the “eyes and ears” by maintaining a presence at the park.
Position runs May/June through September. An RV campsite with full hookups is provided in exchange for 20 hours of work per week (or 30 hrs/wk if a team of two people). Additionally, after a volunteer has completed at least 250 hours of service they are eligible to receive an America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
Set in the gentle rolling hills of the Calapooya Mountains, Bake Stewart Park, along the shore of Dorena Lake is less than 20 miles from the quaint town of Cottage Grove. Bake Stewart Park is located at the southeast end of the lake where the Row River enters the reservoir. It is a minimally developed day use area with trails, bike racks, vault toilets and picnic tables. A gravel trail connects the park to the paved Row River Trail managed by Bureau of Land Management. The Row River Trail stretches 14 miles from downtown Cottage Grove, past the Dorena Dam and along the entire north side of the lake. This popular path is open for hiking and biking.
Dorena Lake is a great location for boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Nearby Baker Bay County Park offers a boat ramp and marina while Schwarz Campground offers a place for camping.
Dorena Lake is part of the Cottage Grove Scenic Byway Tour which meanders past seven historic covered bridges in the area. The bridges were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s and some are still in use today.
Schwarz Campground and all Army Corps of Engineers land around both Dorena and Cottage Grove Lakes have an alcohol prohibition. All Corps personnel, contractors, volunteers, and the public are required to follow this restriction.
Volunteers must complete 20 hours (single) 30 hours (couple) of work per week to qualify for a free RV site. Volunteer must provide their own hard-sided RV or trailer. The campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, electrical, water and sewage hookup. Additionally, there is a park phone line that is available for business and limited local calls only. If you plan to make long distance calls, excessive local calls or use the phone line for internet access, there is a line for you to activate at your own expense. There is limited cell coverage depending on carrier. USACE provides a cell phone booster.
The Bake Stewart Hosts will be responsible for opening and closing Harms Park gate at sunrise/dusk 5 days a week. Hosts will need to conduct sweeps throughout the park before closing.
Hosts will act as the “eyes and ears” for the Park Rangers in the parks by observing visitor activities and noting anything suspicious. Hosts will not and should not approach any violations in progress, and instead contact area Park Rangers. Other light maintenance duties may be assigned.
You must provide your own street legal transportation. You will be reimbursed mileage while conducting official duties.
Must be able to pass a federal background check position.
Ability to meet and greet the public with a friendly and helpful demeanor. Ability to make sound common-sense decisions, use materials at hand to resolve minor situations, have initiative, willingness to learn, and a profound appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Good communication skills, interpersonal skills, computer operations, and general maintenance skills. Training will be provided.