Visitor Center Volunteer

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000004eNbV

ADDRESS: Shenandoah National Park Luray, Virginia, 22835

DATES: 2025-02-24

DEPT: National Park Service

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Visitor Center Volunteers will support the Interpretation Teams at one of the 2 popular visitor centers in Shenandoah National Park. They will provide orientation and trip planning information to visitors while staffing the visitor center and connect with visitors to promote responsible stewardship practices. Volunteers may also lead tours through historic spaces as their interest and training allows.

This request is for residential and recurring volunteers. We are looking for local volunteers interested in a weekly volunteer shifts and volunteers who will stay in the Park for several consecutive weeks of service. An RV pad is available near each visitor center for residential volunteers.

Interviews and reference checks will be conducted prior to start of service.

Goal/Outcome of Position: 

• Provide orientation and information on park resources, safety, and trip planning to visitors in a positive professional manner while representing the National Park Service. 
• Help visitors make personal connections to park resources and values to inspire stewardship and enjoyment. 

Description of Duties: Visitor Center 

• Assists with basic visitor center operations such as providing park orientation/maps/brochures, assisting junior rangers, providing hiking suggestions and safety information, and make interpretive connections to the natural and cultural resources.   
• Light cleaning and stocking of the visitor center facility. 
• May assist with opening/closing the visitor centers following established SOP and guidelines.
• Assist with special events by working unusual hours, directing pedestrians, and other needs as identified by their supervisor

Minimal Physical Demands 

• May require long hours of standing.   
• Bending, stooping, reaching required. 
• Walking on uneven or dirt/rocky surfaces for up to two miles or more in hot/humid or cool/windy weather. 

Working Conditions 

• Once the participant has completed their initial training and orientation, they may be asked to work independently in a visitor center or on local area trail roves, depending on the volunteer’s experience and wishes as well as the park’s operational need. 
• They may operate a government vehicle for travel to trail roves or programs. 
• Visitor center assistance will involve working with other staff to provide visitor assistance and information as well as basic operational duties to include light cleaning, stocking supplies, and opening/closing procedures. 
• The location of daily shifts may vary throughout the park depending on volunteer experience and operational need. 
• Wildlife and tick safety information will be provided during orientation and throughout the season. The park is home to approximately 300+ black bears, 2 species of venomous snakes, poison ivy, ticks that transmit tickborne illness, as well as a variety of other wildlife and plants. 
• The park enjoys the full four seasons and the volunteer’s work may be conducted both indoors and outdoors during occasional inclement weather (light rain or windy conditions) and regularly during hot, humid summers and crisp, cool spring/fall conditions. 

Qualifications 

• Customer service experience and skills. 
• Ability to learn, understand and communicate topics and information to visitors. 
• Outgoing, people oriented, and positive attitude. 
• Ability to understand visitor questions in sometimes loud, crowded visitor center. 
• Ability to stand for long periods and answer repetitive questions with patience and positivity. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. 
• Comfortable hiking in bear country with an abundance of wildlife including ticks carrying tick-born illness. Understanding bear-awareness and what to do if approached, etc. 

Lodging: An RV site with full hook-ups is available for volunteers dedicating at least 32 hours/ week of service for several weeks.

Uniform: Required to wear volunteer uniform: shirts/hat/jacket/s provided by park; pants, hiking boots, and belt provided by volunteer.  

Tagged as: National Park, SPRING '25, SUMMER '25