Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000oWMtAAM/volunteer-at-redfish-lake-visitor-center
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ADDRESS: Sawtooth National Recreation Area; 5 North Fork Canyon Road; Ketchum, Idaho 83340
DEPT: Forest Service
DATES:5/26/2023 – 9/4/2023
DESCRIPTION:
The Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association’s (SIHA) mission is to protect and advance the natural and cultural history of Idaho’s Sawtooth and Salmon River Country through preservation and education. SIHA is the Sawtooth National Recreation Area’s (SNRA) formal nonprofit interpretive association. We manage 2 SNRA properties: The Redfish Visitor Center & Gallery and the Stanley Museum. For more information about the Association please visit www.discoversawtooth.org
Located in the majestic mountains of central Idaho, approximately 2.5 hours from Boise and 1.5 hours from the Wood River Valley, the Redfish Visitor Center and Gallery sits just above the iconic Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Valley, approximately 5 miles south of Stanley, Idaho. Amenities in Stanley are limited and include a small medical clinic, a gas station, and a small food market. The nearest hospital and large grocery store are approximately1.25 hours (65 miles) south in the Wood River Valley. Because of its popularity with summer recreators, Stanley has multiple motels and restaurants, two outdoor gear shops, and a nice public library. In the summer, music groups and special events occur weekly.
Volunteer position information:
We have one position open at this site that can be held by an individual or couple. Volunteers will be folded into the daily operating schedule of the Redfish Visitor Center with a crew of 5-6 college-age naturalists.
Responsibilities:
· Attend and participate in training sessions/seminars.
· Building maintenance tasks – sweeping, moping, dusting; straightening and stocking bookstore inventory
· Cleaning public restrooms;
· Operating a cash register and credit card machine – selling bookstore and gallery items and taking memberships and donations, maintain a cash bank and daily sales records;
· Visitor services – answering questions, assisting with trip planning, sharing Wilderness rules and regulations, campground rules and regulations and general area information;
· Special events and programs – helping setup and staff special events including Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party and the Sawtooth Salmon Festival
· Campground roving – walking through nearby campgrounds (1 mile or less) engaging campers, answering questions, sharing area information about bear/food regulations, fire regulations, and visitor center programs
· Volunteers need to be able to conduct light physical work such as raking, sweeping, lifting up to 20 pounds (books/interpretive props), and operating weed eaters or leaf blowers.
· Optional: Interpretive Services – researching, writing and implementing interpretive programs including a Junior Ranger program, patio talk, ranger talk, guided walk, and evening program. Setting up and sharing discover stations.
· Optional: Trailhead Portals – setting up and staffing stations at busy trailheads sharing Wilderness regulations, trail information, and Leave-No-Trace practices with recreators
· Other duties, as agreed upon.
Benefits:
· Daily work stipend – $33/day
· If assigned, personal vehicle mileage is reimbursed (at $0.55/mile) for project work (NOT including traveling to and from work).
Requirements of the position:
- Possess a valid state driver’s license.
- Volunteer a minimum of 6-8 hours a day/4-5 days weekly.
· Volunteers need to be able to conduct light physical work such as sweeping, dusting, standing for periods while helping customers, lifting up to 20 pounds, walking up to a mile, and operating weed eaters or leaf blowers.
Required Days:
Friday, Saturday
No less than 32 hours a week
There may be some flexibility in days of the week worked and daily hour. We will discuss during our interview process.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience in visitor services/education, a plus
- Outgoing personality with strong verbal communication skills
- Capacity to perform light maintenance work in indoor and outdoor settings
- Ability to maintain daily written logs
- Ability to interact with diverse visitors while maintaining a positive, helpful and non-confrontational attitude.
- Interest in working with a small crew of college-age naturalists with diverse backgrounds
- Conservation Education
- Drivers License
- Map Reading
- Visitor Information
Environment:
Work location is indoors in a busy visitor center in the Sawtooth National Recreation and at nearby campgrounds, optional locations include popular trailheads throughout the area and the grounds surrounding the visitor center where outdoor interpretive programs are held.