Job Description
CAMPGROUND: White Mountain National Forest
DEPT: Forest Service
AVAILABILITY: 5/9/2020–10/17/2020
RV INFORMATION: Trailer/RV PadsDescription: In exchange for specified time commitment, volunteer receives campsite at the Russell Pond Campground, volunteer loop. Campsite includes water, sewer and 50 amp electric (3 sites available, couples welcome)
DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Activities• Conservation Education • Visitor Information • Back Country/Wilderness Photo Courtesy of FS DescriptionLead Steward – Trailhead Steward Program (Preventative Search and Rescue, PSAR) The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is a recreation destination for hikers around the world. With over 1200 miles of trails, the WMNF sees 5 to 6 million visitors a year, and numbers are on the rise! This rise in visitation has also brought an uptick in the number of search and rescue incidents as more and more unprepared hikers hit the trail. This program seeks to combat this issue through its mission. The Trailhead Steward Program encourages outdoor safety and conservation in the WMNF by engaging hikers at trailheads to promote responsible enjoyment and protection of public land. This is a HIKER SAFETY PROGRAM Role: Lead stewards work together with program manager and administrative volunteers to coordinate the program. Once trained, leads are expected to run the program independently. Key Responsibilities Attending weekly meetings with program manager Staffing busy trailheads every weekend throughout the season giving information to the public. A typical shift will require being on your feet for 4-8 hours per day Scheduling 5 trailheads ensuring coverage at busiest trailheads Tracking volunteer hours and equipment – uniforms, nametags, badges, binders and items necessary to staff trailheads Ensuring data from trailhead shifts is entered into forms as well as keeping a critical eye on the data to maintain accuracy Corresponding with volunteers Ensuring new volunteers have adequate mentorship and are placed appropriately according to their skill level Serving as liaison with the volunteer backcountry patrol program Qualifications Excellent communication skills for corresponding with volunteers both by email, text and phone Ability to professionally represent the Forest Service by greeting the public, wearing an official volunteer uniform and using persuasive communication to help modify or change plans of unprepared hikers Basic knowledge of Internet, computer programs and ability to navigate Google drive for data entry and volunteer tracking Background in outdoor pursuits, preferably hiking and knowledge of hiking trails Length of opportunity : (MID-MAY THROUGH MID-OCTOBER) – THIS IS THE REQUIRED TIME COMMITTMENT FOR WORK CAMPER LEADS) Time commitment: 24 hours a week – Friday through Sunday. In exchange, volunteers receive a campsite at the Russell Pond Campground, volunteer loop. Campsite includes water, sewer and 50 amp electric (1 vacancy – couples welcome) Location: District Office is located in Campton, New Hampshire. Travel is required to trailheads throughout the WMNF. A government vehicle is available on weekends after volunteer completes defensive driver training Benefits: First-hand knowledge that your advice to hikers is making a difference and keeping people safe. In 2018, volunteers in this program contacted over 37,000 hikers, with over 3,000 (9%) of those changing their plans based on our advice. Driving a Forest Service vehicle Fri-Sun to commute to various trailheads and see the beautiful landscape of the White Mountains Living at the beautiful Russell Pond Campground Volunteer Village Being involved in a tight-knit volunteer community — volunteers often hike together, gather after trailhead shifts, and coordinate potluck events Based on interest, can become part of other volunteer programs such as hiking in the backcountry (backcountry steward) or working in a woodshop WMNF Recreation Pass, after 16 hours of volunteer service An annual National Volunteer Pass, after 250 hours of volunteer service, for entrance into Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites Training Required annual training provided every spring On the job training is provided through program manager and fellow volunteers HOUSING & AMENITIESType: Trailer/RV PadsDescription: In exchange for specified time commitment, volunteer receives campsite at the Russell Pond Campground, volunteer loop. Campsite includes water, sewer and 50 amp electric (3 sites available, couples welcome)