Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/
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ADDRESS: Lake Mead National Recreation Area; 601 Nevada Way; Boulder City, Nevada 89005
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES:
DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of the campground host volunteer position is to offer park campers the opportunity to engage, early on, with a park representatives. The host will provide positive educational interactions with campers about campground rules and regulations, and what recreational opportunities are available at the park and surrounding areas.
Campground host volunteer is typically the first NPS representative a visitor engages upon arrival. The primary responsibility of the VIP campground host is to meet, greet, and educate campground visitors on the rules and regulations of the campground and the park, as well as, to share knowledge of the wealth of available recreational opportunities in the area. Hosts are often the first uniformed National Park Service (NPS) representative the public encounters in the campground; therefore, hosts are required to wear the official Lake Mead volunteer uniform while on duty.
Hosts are needed at Cottonwood Cove, Temple Bar and Boulder Beach campgrounds.
Public Interaction:
Hosts are required to do at least three “walks” throughout the campground each duty day. Walks will take place around 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Walks should consist of waving and saying “hello” when greeting campers. All interactions will be positive and friendly. Volunteer will walk on paved roads, shoulder of the road and/or through campsites in the campground. The volunteer will pay attention to their surrounding such as moving vehicles, walking surfaces, and people/pets in campsites.
When doing their daily walks through the campground, the volunteer will paying attention to whether or not a campsite receipt is posted at the site post. The host will maintain a log of each visitor’s stay, take note of any safety issues, and comment on the overall appearance of the sites. When walking around the campground, the host will be required to collect statistical information and record the information on the forms provided.
Hosts will answer questions regarding campground rules in an educational, informative and courteous manner; therefore, the host will be knowledgeable on rules specific to his or her campground including kiosk operation and stay limits. Volunteers will not enforce the campground regulations, but rather communicate/educate them to the visitor. They will report all incidents to their supervisor for action, and if there is an emergency, they will notify dispatch for Law Enforcement (LE) assistance.
The main reasons for conducting daily rounds and engaging with park visitors, is to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the facilities, ensure visitors have properly attached their receipts to respective campsite post, and to maintain a log of each visitor’s stay time at a particular campground. Hosts will never collect fee envelops or involve his or herself with the collection of camping fees.
Campground hosts are to be knowledgeable of the amenities offered by the concessionaire, the activities relating to interpretive services, and venues surrounding the local area. This includes being able to inform visitors of routes to travel throughout the park and surrounding areas, including hiking trails. All campground hosts are obligated to assist other VIP’s as required and if time permits.
As campground hosts are representatives of the NPS and the recreation area, they must exhibit the highest level of customer service to ensure all visitors feel welcomed during their stay at LAKE. This cannot be over emphasized. As a uniformed representative of the NPS and LAKE, the VIP campground host must wear a neat and clean uniform and maintain a professional appearance at all times.
Light maintenance: Hosts are responsible for maintaining the kiosk area. They will keep the kiosk area clean and stocked with envelopes at all times. While walking through the campground, hosts should pick up any visible litter using trash bags or buckets, and dispose of properly. If the host encounters any maintenance, safety, or hazardous issues, he/she will notify their supervisor as soon as possible.
Through mutual agreement with maintenance team leads and campground supervisors, campground host can assist with raking leaves, removing ashes and other debris from fire pits, and perform other minor maintenance duties within the campground boundaries. Hosts may use tools supplied by the NPS, and are prohibited from using personal tools as a safety precaution.
The host may be required to drive a government vehicle; therefore, government vehicles are required to be kept clean. Under no circumstances are any pets to be stored or transported in a government vehicle.
Reporting emergencies: The volunteer will be required to monitor a 2-way radio to communicate assistance, requests to receive direction, or to report emergency incidents to the Lake Mead Communications Center. Hosts may be the first point of contact for NPS regarding accidents/incidents, and should gather as much information as possible before providing the information to LE or other emergency personnel. Minor first aid can be administered (provided proper First Aid Training has been completed and the volunteer holds a current certification). Emergency Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can be administered in a first response situation (provided proper CPR training has been completed and the volunteer holds a current certification).
Volunteer must be an adult and possess the following:
Qualifications-
● Must enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds
● Have a willingness to learn about the park’s resources
● Possess a valid driver’s license and provide a three year driving history to the Volunteer Office.
● Knowledge of driving a vehicle
● Must be able to walk two to five miles a day.
● Ability to read and research area information for accurate dissemination
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired-
● Excellent communication, reading, and writing skills
● Experienced camper
● Prior volunteer service is desirable, but not required
● Knowledge of interagency passes and benefits
● Knowledge of entrance and lake use fees
● Time management skills
Physical Demands: Be in good physical condition and capable of walking on paved roads and over rocky terrain. Walks may vary from two miles up to five miles daily. Volunteers must be able to bend, stoop, reach, walk or stand and carry equipment (up to 25 pounds), such as, water, clipboard, and radio.
Environmental Factors: Fieldwork is year round and is generally performed outside in direct sunlight. Temperatures can vary widely. Winters can be in the low 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures can vary in the mid 90’s to the highs over 115. Volunteer may encounter severe weather such as thunderstorms, flash flooding, and high winds.