Volunteer
To apply for this job please visit www.volunteer.gov.
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000008Xbyg
ADDRESS: 1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, South Dakota, 57747
DATES: 5/1/2025 – 10/31/2025
DEPT: Forest Service
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Program Overview: The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands and the Black Hills National Forest are combining forces in search of volunteers (individual or couple) to provide recreation-related services within Fall River Ranger District, Hot Springs, SD and Hell Canyon Ranger District, Custer, SD. Selection preference will be given to those volunteers who can commit to the whole season or for a longer stay between May 1st to September 30st; with the possibility of staying into October. Selected volunteers will be provided a full-service site at Fall River Ranger District with water, electric, and septic hookup. for the duration of their services. Our preferred days are Thursday through Monday from 8am to 4:30pm with Tuesday and Wednesday off. Selectees will be able to negotiate Days and Hours for example: 8 hours/day for 5 days or 10 hours/day for 4 days a week. Communication and supervision of the volunteer(s) will be with the district staff for the designated services.
Major Duties by location:
Fall River Ranger District – French Creek Campground and Front Desk Customer Service
Ø Complete general grounds keeping/maintenance including but not limited to cleaning, and general upkeep of the mowing/trimming, weed pulling, trash pick-up, cleaning and restocking toilet facilities, picking up litter, removing excess ash from fire pits.
Ø Public interaction while in the field providing information according to the local area.
Ø Provide information to forest visitors while in the districts front office: answer phone calls, talk to visitors, answer questions, restock brochures, ect.
Hell Canyon Ranger District – J.H. Keith Cascade Falls Picnic Area and Recreation area
Ø Complete general grounds keeping/maintenance including but not limited to cleaning, and general upkeep of the mowing/trimming, weed pulling, trash pick-up, cleaning and restocking toilet facilities, picking up litter, removing excess ash from fire pits.
Ø Low Corridor Maintenance to include brushing and pruning overgrown vegetation along hiking trails and filling in holes along the hiking trails maintaining a firm and stable surface for visitors.
Ø Public interaction while in the field providing information according to the local area.
*Driving a government vehicle and operating government equipment will be necessary for the completion of the above services. The volunteer(s) will need to be 18 or above with a valid drivers licenses. The selected volunteer(s) will be administered the mandatory training by a certified Forest Service employee prior and/or upon arrival.
*Selected volunteer(s) will be required to wear a volunteer uniform while on duty.
About the Area: Fall River Ranger District and Hell Canyon Ranger District acreage is adjacent to each other. Fall River Ranger District station is in beautiful Hot Springs, South Dakota and Hell Canyon Ranger District station is in majestic Custer, SD. A few of the attractions to the area: The Mammoth Site, Evans Plunge Mineral Springs, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Cascade Falls, The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, Sturgis, Rapid City, Badlands National Park, and many more! Recreational opportunities: hunting (dependent on the season-permits), wildlife viewing, rockhounding, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
French Creek Campground is nestled into the southern end of the Redshirt Recommended for Wilderness and world-renowned agate beds located 11 miles east of Fairburn SD on the Fall River Ranger District, the western half of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. French Creek is one of three primary tributaries to the Cheyenne River. Cottonwood trees, ash trees, and Rocky Mountain juniper are along the creek and within the campground.
J.H. Keith Cascade Falls Picnic Area and Recreation area located 8 miles south of Hot Springs, is a popular tourist location with history dating back to the late 1800’s. A series of six artesian springs feed into Cascade Creek giving the water a warm 67-degree temperature. Along with the draw of clean, clear water the area was once the location of the town Cascade. At Cascades’ peak the town had 50 businesses, a post office, and around 400 residents. However, competition for the warm waters drove to the demise of Cascade when Fred Evans built up his own mineral springs in the neighboring town of Hot Springs. Combined with an economic crash, the struggling community failed, sending the town of Cascade into a downward spiral. The J.H. Keith Cascade Falls and Springs was eventually donated to the Forest Service by the Keith family who owned much of the land around the former town of Cascade. Giving the public the opportunity to experience this special place.
Additional information:
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/things-do
The Old Swimming Hole
To apply for this job please visit www.volunteer.gov.