Seabird and Marine Mammal Interpretive Host Volunteer

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000004Wi0P

ADDRESS: 93111 Highway 101 Florence, Oregon, 97439

DATES: 5/19/2025 – 8/5/2025

DEPT: Fish & Wildlife Service

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service seeks a volunteer(s) to conduct marine wildlife interpretation at the Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint. This position is a collaboration with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Oregon State Parks.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages six National Wildlife Refuge’s that span 320 miles of Oregon’s scenic coastline. This refuge includes 1,853 rocks, reefs and islands along the Oregon coast that provide habitat for 1.2 million nesting seabirds. Although these rocks and islands are closed to public use above the mean high tide line to protect wildlife, there are many location salong the Oregon coast where visitors can view wildlife of the refuge rocks, reefs and islands.

At Heceta Head, visitors get views of whales, some species of seabirds, and California and Steller Sea Lions. Oregon State Parks oversees management of Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint and Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area, which includes all beaches and rocky shores along the coast. Rocky shores are a defining feature of the dramatic 360-mile long coastline of Oregon.Named for its crowning feature, the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse, the park also features an historic bed and breakfast, a sheltered beach that’s easy to access from the parking lot, tidepools and a scenic hike along a section of the Oregon Coast Trail.

Volunteer(s) would:

• Provide natural resource interpretation for visitors on the seabirds and marine mammals using visual aids
• As needed, provide tidepool interpretation during low tides, shift times will change each day correspondingly with the tidal cycle
• Help protect park and refuge resources and ensure visitor safety by informing visitors of potential safety hazards, reporting safety hazards or lawbreaking to park rangers or enforcement officers, and attempting to correct minor infractions through interpretation
• Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers of Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint
• Work five hours each day, Friday – Monday. If relevant, couples can work together.

Requirements:

• A desire to interact with the public in a friendly and professional manner and speak about the purpose of the wildlife refuge or the state park and answer wildlife and park related questions
• No prior knowledge of seabirds or marine mammals is required as volunteers will receive training and a handbook filled with information on marine wildlife
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays with minimal onsite supervision by USFWS staff
• A tolerance for hours outdoors in possible foggy, windy, cool and otherwise inclement weather. Shifts are ALWAYS outside either on a beach or headland
• Volunteers must drive their own vehicle to and from the worksite
• Consent to a criminal background check and complete USFWS and Oregon State Park required trainings
• Commit to the full season that starts in May and ends in early August
• Ability to walk uphill daily to worksite, trail length is 1/2 mile one way.

In return for volunteering, a full hookup will be provided

Site is in the Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park, five minutes drive from worksite

RV site includes water, sewer, 50 amp electrical, and laundry services

There is no cell/internet service nor satellite internet reception at Washburne (there is cell reception at Heceta Head)

Site is 20 minutes from a major grocery store

Pets are allowed, but may not accompany volunteers during work shifts

Tagged as: Couples / Duos, SUMMER '25