Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09t000000CkQYLAA3/couples-opportunity-summer-in-the-san-juan-islands-washington
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ADDRESS: San Juan Island National Historical Park; 4668 Cattle Point Rd.; Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 5/14/2022 – 9/7/2022
DESCRIPTION:
San Juan Island National Historical Park in search of active couple to help with visitor centers, living history, interpretation, and more. RV site available.
San Juan Island National Historical Park
Seasonal Volunteer (VIP) Position Description
Volunteers are responsible for staffing the information desk at American Camp or English Camp Visitor Centers on San Juan Island in the Puget Sound North of Seattle.
Benefits to VIP:
- Personal enrichment and experience living and working in a national park setting
- Interpretive training, and practice
- Retail training and experience
- Experience in communicating with people of diverse cultures
- Understanding, and performing as a 19th century period island inhabitant
Goal/Outcome of job:
- Provide efficient, courteous services, and helpful information to park visitors,
- Engage visitors with the goal of developing their interest and excitement for the park
Description of Duties
1. Open and close the visitor center,
2. Provide information, politely and competently, about park programs and policies to the visiting public.
3. Operate cash register and credit card machine in accordance with established procedures,
4. Inventory, and help maintain stock,
5. Provide information about the park, including, but not limited to (Training will be provided);
a. History of the border dispute known as “The Pig War”, including the lives, and routines of the American, and British soldiers on the island,
b. Native American culture and history in the Pacific Northwest
c. Pioneer and settler history in the region during the 1800s
d. Flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest
e. Geology of the islands
6. Opportunities to present “canned” developed programs, and walks for visitors, with the opportunity to develop your own interpretive programs with the help of interpretive rangers.
7. Participation in living history programs at the park. Demonstrations include wearing period clothing (provided), including;
a. American or British soldier. This may include handling and firing a 19th century musket
b. 19th century Woodworker, carpenter, cooper
c. 19th century blacksmith,
d. 19th century laundress,
e. 19th century camp cook,
f. And other period skills that you can bring to the park
8. Regularly rove (in keeping with your abilities) an assigned area of the park to engage visitors
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
- Excellent oral communication skills,
- Knowledge of local area and resources helpful,
- Living history experience helpful, but only required for English Camp positions,
- Retail sales experience helpful,
- Bi-lingual language skills helpful, but not required
- Familiarity with park policies, rules, regulations, (Training will be provided)
- Comfortable hiking/walking 2-4 miles once or twice per week
- Lifting 20-40lbs
Special Requirements:
Volunteer will need to spend a major portion of the work time standing; volunteer may be asked to drive a government-owned vehicle (Auto, UTV, golf cart) to pick up supplies, or transport visitors within the park. Valid Driver’s License required.
Hours per week: 32 hours/week
Hours per day: 8
- Drivers License
- Office/Clerical
- Visitor Information
This volunteer position, for couples only, is typically low-key, low stress, and high enjoyment for those looking to spend time with visitors in one of the county’s most beautiful tourist destinations. You will spend your days providing guidance and information about the islands, information about the park, the islands flora and fauna, the history of “The Pig War”, Native American history and influences in the Puget Sound, geology, and many other topics. You will not want for a wide variety of new and interesting opportunities to learn and share about the park and the region.
Most days, you will rotate manning the visitor center with islanders who volunteer, as well as the park’s Interpretive Rangers. We ask that you participate in living history demonstrations (training provided), roving the park is required, and light maintenance within the visitor center.