Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/
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ADDRESS: Gardiner Ranger District; PO Box 5 , 805 Scott Street West Gardiner, Montana 59030
DEPT: Forest Service
DATES: 6/14/2021 – 9/27/2021
DESCRIPTION:
This U.S. Forest Service volunteer position is an opportunity to live on the National Forest, providing public service while hosting and maintaining the 27-site Soda Butte Campground. Approximately $33 reimbursement for each day served is provided.
General Information:
Full services are limited. There is a gas station, general store and a few restaurants/bars in Cooke City. The closest town with doctor services is located in Cody, WY about 1 ½ hours away.
27 sites, 6 are day-use only.
Limit of two motor vehicles per site
Maximum stay permitted: 16 days
Average parking size: 12′ x 40′
Hook ups: Host site only
Number of restrooms: 5 (single unit vaults)
Food and attractant storage regulations are in effect to prevent wildlife/human conflicts
DUTIES
Volunteer campground hosts are front-line representatives of the United States Forest Service. Few Forest Service employees have as much direct daily contact with members of the public as a volunteer campground host. Volunteer service is greatly appreciated and critical to achieving our agency’s mission of protecting the land and serving the people!
Season, Schedule, and Utilities:
Campground hosts must be available from approximately June 14th thru September 27th, depending on weather with an option to extend season on either or both ends if desired. Hosts volunteer 5 days a week, including weekends and holidays. A full season’s commitment is required. A typical commitment is 2-3 hours per day/20 hours per week. Hosts are on duty in both the morning and evening during daylight hours to greet visitors and to conduct fee compliance checks. The Recreation Manager will coordinate with the host regarding the time of day to complete maintenance duties. Days off will be taken mid-week on Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday. The host is not required to stay on site during days off.
The campground host site parking spur is 12’x 50’ to accommodate a RV or camp trailer. Vault sewer, electric, water and phone service (local calls only) are provided by the Forest Service. Cell phone reception is not available in the area.
Hosts must provide their own RV or camp trailer along with propane (if applicable). The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted. Showers are available at the Forest Service office located approx. 1 mile away and use is encouraged to help host sewer vault from filling up. Pets may be permitted on a case by case basis. Please note that all pets must be on a leash, including host pets, within the campground. Also, ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles must meet Montana state law (e.g., must be street legal) in order to ride on State and Forest Service roads.
There is a post office in the town of Cooke City, where hosts can either pay for a PO Box or can have mail delivered via General Delivery.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Ensuring that campers pay their fees is one of the host’s primary duties. Fees collected at the site pay for the host’s utilities, water, site improvements, and law enforcement patrols. Campground hosts conduct both morning and evening checks to verify that campers have paid their fees and are abiding by vehicle limits and campground rules. The host records fee permit and license plate information that is submitted to the Forest Service to verify payment. Hosts request that visitors pay the fee when they have failed to do so. Hosts also inform visitors about general regulations including: food storage, quiet hours (10 p.m.-6 a.m.), parking, and leashing pets.
All supplies, tools, and equipment are provided by the Forest Service. Ensuring a clean and well-maintained campground for the public is of the utmost importance. Hosts will be asked to perform the following:
Cleaning and stocking restrooms
Shoveling and cleaning out fire rings
Mowing / line trimming (as needed)
Reporting vandalism or facilities that are in need of repair
Litter pick up
Collecting and hauling trash to the waste station
Painting picnic tables
Installing/repairing site number signs