Lava Lands Visitor Center RV Host

Newberry National Volcanic Monument RV Host: Lava Lands Visitor Center

Location: Lava Lands Visitor Center in Newberry National Volcanic Monument within the Deschutes National Forest, Bend OR

Number of Positions: 2

Dates: Position 1: May 1 – Sept 2^nd

Position 2: June 15 – October 4

Time Commitment: Four days a week at an 8-hour shift per person. For couples, individual hours may be reduced to 28 hours/week for each person. Consecutive days off are guaranteed. Propane reimbursement available. Service will be during daylight hours where scheduled hours will fall typically between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Volunteers will follow check in and check out practices as established in the handbook and 2020 training.

Description: The U.S. Forest Service seeks a couple or individual to assist with visitor services at Newberry National Volcanic Monument’s Lava Lands Visitor Center. Lava Lands Visitor Center is the information hub of Newberry National Volcanic Monument within the Deschutes National Forest. It is located 8 miles South of Bend, OR. Lava Butte a 500 foot cinder cone volcano hovers over the visitor center. Lave River Cave, a popular show cave is just 1.5 miles down the road. Visitors can explore many volcanic features on the Monument and also enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, fishing and camping. Hosts will interpret Newberry National Volcanic Monument and its rich cultural and geologic history and will have professional-caliber information/interpretation skills for the site’s thousands of annual visitors. This is a uniformed host position; uniforms will be provided by the Forest Service.

Job Duties: The primary duties of the uniformed host position include, but are not limited to: welcoming and orienting Monument visitors, providing in-depth information on Monument sites, selling merchandise and assisting with trip planning within the Monument. Opportunities for interpretation include guiding hikes, ranger talks, Jr. Forest Ranger activities, and roving interpretation. Individuals will be assigned special projects according to their skills and interests. Willingness to assist with light maintenance. Moderate fitness level and ability to hike up to 3 miles is desired.

Desired Skills: Must be able to perform required duties with minimal supervision after orientation, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and present a consistently friendly and helpful attitude; Forest Service uniform will be provided and worn during working hours; knowledge of Forest Service history and Deschutes National Forest recreation geography and policies is helpful, but not required.

Housing: Couple or individual must be able to provide their own RV or travel trailer with its age being 2002 or newer. If you have an RV or trailer that is not 2002 or newer, a photo of the RV may be requested prior to job offer. Concrete RV Space provided with water, sewer, garbage, electric, and propane reimbursement. Visitor Center and trails within walking distance of space. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

About the Area: Positions provide visitor services based out of Lava Lands Visitor Center, the information hub of the Monument and Lava River Cave, a popular show cave. The Visitor Center is located at the base of Lava Butte, a cinder cone volcano that erupted 7,000 years ago creating a 9 square mile lava flow. These sites comprise the Northern unit of the Monument. At the Southern end of the Monument is Newberry Caldera, which contains two lakes to fish or boat, a stunning waterfall, miles of trails for hikers and bikers of any ability and many other volcanic features to explore.

Nearest towns: Sunriver, OR ~5 miles. Bend, OR ~10 miles. . All services can be found in Bend including a major medical center.

Applications due: Ongoing, applications are being considered for the 2020 and 2021 season; please indicate availability.

DUTIES