Volunteer
Job Description
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Seeking to fill 6 two-person team Visitor Center Host positions from end of July or early August to mid-October to mid-November 2021.
Do you enjoy interacting with people from around the world? Is sparking an interest in learning what motivates you? Would you like to volunteer in a beautiful setting close to many recreational opportunities? Come join our team!
To be a volunteer here is to help visitors relate to the site, tell the Corps’ story, and provoke learning of the many aspects of Bonneville Dam as well as the amazing Columbia River Gorge. Volunteers assist the Ranger staff with these goals by greeting and orienting visitors at the Information Desks, running the register in our Bookstore, providing intimate visitor interactions while roving throughout the visitor centers, and being our assistant on powerhouse tours.
** Two volunteers required per RV site to meet schedule needs. **
THE SITE:
Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 40 miles east of Portland, Oregon; Bonneville Lock and Dam is a National Historic Landmark operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Our site includes two powerhouses, a navigation lock, fish passage, and two visitor centers, one accessible from Oregon via I-84 and one accessible from Washington via SR 14. Volunteers rotate between working at each location. Bonneville Dam is capable of providing over 1,200 MW of power to the Northwest, and nearly ten million tons of commodities pass through the navigation lock per year. Visitor centers have been equipped with COVID-19 protection measures and policies to protect staff, volunteers, and visitors.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Bonneville Lock and Dam Interpretive Services Program is to tell the Corps’ story, to provoke learning, help visitors relate to the site and reveal messages about the Corps in the region.
SCHEDULE:
· RV sites are available March 15 through November 15. Currently filling positions late July or early August through at least mid-October. We appreciate help in the fall session into November but understand if volunteers cannot commit to that late in the season due to the weather.
· Average of 28 hours per week (per person). More hours may be requested for occasional special events.
· Facilities open 7 days a week. Work will include a rotation of Sundays and holidays.
· Preference for RV sites will be given to sites being occupied by two people due to staffing requirements.
** Two volunteers required per RV site to meet schedule needs. **
Bonneville volunteers provide high quality interpretive services to enhance visitor experiences in the busy visitor centers, including:
· Staff visitor centers & bookstores
· Greet visitors/answer questions
· Provide information about the site
· Work with our Junior Ranger program
· Inventory lost/found items
· Handle cash
· Educate visitors about park rules
· Provide informal/formal interpretive programs
QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRED SKILLS:
· Answer questions and communicate Corps missions
· Desire to meet and interact with diverse visitors
· Commit to the scheduled volunteer session of 3 months
· Experience/skills in interpretation/education
· Cash handling, opening/closing cash reconciliation forms
· Pass a criminal background check
· Visitor center experience
Training will be provided on interpretation, cash handling, customer service, public speaking, communication, and orientation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Bonneville Lock and Dam. Prior experience in any of these areas is beneficial.
Volunteers will be working mostly indoors, independently from staff while working at the Information Desk and Bookstore. Staff are nearby to respond to emergencies but will be occupied and so will depend on volunteers utilizing protocols taught in training to respond to small issues or questions independently. Three hours per week one volunteer will rove outside in a limited shade environment.
Volunteers are expected to interact with the public utilizing state and site COVID safety protocols. Clear acrylic barriers are at each desk, if masks are required, they will be provided, regular sanitation protocols are in place.
Physical Demands: Volunteers should be able to stand or walk for moderate periods of time, should be willing to intermittently work outdoors in hot weather, walking up to a half mile. Adjustable-height seating and anti-fatigue floor mats are available while staffing information desk and bookstore.
Scheduling Demands: A typical work week consists of three days on duty, two six-hour days and one eight-hour day, and then three days off duty. Volunteer schedules will rotate between working weekends and weekdays. The earliest a shift begins is 8:30 am, the latest a shift finish is 5:30 pm. Both volunteers will work the same shifts with the same break times, usually in the same location. Assignment locations are less than 1.5 miles apart but may take up to 10 minutes to get from one location to another as you must traverse an active dam site. Your lunch break is one hour long so you have time to return to your RV should you choose to.
Housing Amenities: Each site is equipped with full RV hook-ups with 30-amp and 50-amp options, free Wi-Fi, picnic table with windscreen and lantern hook, barbecue grill, and access to a washer & dryer that are shared with 6 other volunteer families. Camp area is only for our volunteers, not open to the public.
** Two volunteers required per RV site to meet schedule needs. **