Volunteer
Job Description
Look for listing, “* Park Resident – Visitor Center – Volunteer in the Expansive Prairie, Where Rare is Commonplace – Spring/Summer 2024 …”
Volunteer Position Description Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
An opportunity to make a difference at a park that protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie!
It is home to many rare, threatened, and endangered species. Kissimmee Prairie is internationally recognized for its dark sky and is one of the best spots in Florida to stargaze.
Title: Visitor Center Volunteer
Supervisor: Volunteer Manager or On-Duty Ranger
Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week per campsite
Duties/Responsibilities: Operation of a Point of Sales system, including money handling and checking campers in. Answering phones and calling all campers that do not check in before the office closes. Cleaning park buildings and facilities on a daily basis. Answering questions from park visitors. Explaining park rules and policies in a friendly and professional manner to campers and visitors in violation. Other duties as assigned.
Benefits to Volunteer: You will be provided a Volunteer T-shirt and a nametag. Upon completion of your first 50 hours, you will receive a free entrance pass for 6 visits for you and your family to any park (some restrictions apply). Upon completion of 250 hours, you will receive a special volunteer annual pass to any Florida State Park (request passes from the Volunteer Manager. Some restrictions apply). Join us in all park staff gatherings (i.e., potlucks, celebrations, holiday parties, etc.) and the annual district Volunteer Appreciation gathering.
Position Goal/Outcome Desired: To become familiar with the daily operations and maintenance of the park. Gain a better understanding and appreciation of what the park and the Florida Park Service. Gain a sense of fulfillment from the volunteer experience. Gain a sense of appreciation for making a difference supporting the Florida Park Service’s Mission “To provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.”
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required: Be highly organized and able to multi-task. Possess a professional and friendly personality. Able to work independently as well as part of a team. Able to learn park policies and procedures, and the Florida Park Service’s Operations Manual (OM). Must be a dependable and punctual person. Able to present a neat and professional appearance. Able to use computers and speak and hear using a phone.
Special Requirements: Park resident volunteers are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week per campsite. Non- park resident volunteers have no minimum hours required.
Training/Pre-Requisites:
Must have a Volunteer Application on file. Must have a current Volunteer Agreement and Volunteer DEP Annual Combo Training on file, both renewed annually. Must provide a valid form of identification. Must pass a State and National sexual predator/offender check.
Additional job-specific training and orientation will be on-going and provided by the park.
There may be an opportunity to split the 20 hours/week volunteer time to include camp-host duties or maintenance duties, depending on park needs.