Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09t000000Cl0xNAAR/keweenaw-nhp-visitor-services-volunteer
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ADDRESS: Keweenaw National Historical Park; 25970 Red Jacket Road; Calumet, Michigan 49913
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 5/23/2022 – 10/8/2022
DESCRIPTION:
This position is located at Isle Royale National Park, located in northern Michigan. Primary duties are staffing the visitor center desk and sales area, providing trip-planning assistance, and disseminating information in person or via mail, telephone, or electronic mail (if background check cleared for computer use.). Duties may also include assisting with, or conducting interpretive programs (i.e. orientations, talks and hikes), helping with special events, or helping to construct displays.
This position is located at Keweenaw National Historical Park, located in northern Michigan at the Calumet Visitor Center, Calumet, MI. Primary duties are staffing the visitor center desk and sales area, providing trip-planning assistance, and disseminating information in person or via mail, telephone, or electronic mail (if background check cleared for computer use.). Duties may also include assisting with, or conducting interpretive programs (i.e. orientations, talks and hikes), helping to prepare for special events, or helping to construct temporary displays and exhibits. Volunteers will receive appropriate training, guidance, and supervision from the Lead Interpreter.
RV Trailer Pad sites are paid for by Keweenaw NHP and are located in local campgrounds (specific sites TBD).
One or two volunteers (or volunteer couples) will be selected depending on available funding and RV Trailer Pads available. Starting date is firm. Ending date is flexible. Positions will be hired for the full summer (preferred), but consideration will be given for half-summer volunteers (Late May – July & July – Early October). Hiring is expected to occur sometime between November and January.
Supervisory Controls
The volunteer works under the direct supervision of the Lead District Interpreter. After receiving specific instructions, the volunteer performs routine assignments independently. The supervisor is available when problems or unusual situations arise. Supervisor spot checks routine work for accuracy, with closer review performed for more difficult or non-routine assignments.
Complexity
The volunteer contacts visitors, conducts sales, disseminates information and is frequently required to perform multiple tasks during high volume visitation. Assignments are primarily repetitive, consisting of clearly defined tasks. Questions regarding non-routine tasks are referred to the supervisor.
Scope and Effect
The results of the incumbent’s activities contribute to visitor enjoyment and understanding of the park area and the public’s appreciation of the National Park Service mission. These activities affect the NPS and its employees, visitors, land managers, and neighbors.
Personal Contacts
The volunteer has daily contacts with the visiting public, other volunteers, park staff, researchers, and concessions staff. These people represent a cross section of the nation and of other countries of the world. Visitors are of all ages, and from all social, ethnic and economic groups. The volunteer has contact with park visitors for the purpose of providing information about area facilities, services, activities and recreational opportunities. Public contacts occasionally include dealing with visitor complaints and conflicts, although these are typically referred to the supervisor.
As a uniformed volunteer with the NPS, the volunteer serves as a front-line representative of the agency at the visitor center. The volunteer is responsible for providing current, accurate information on Keweenaw National Historical Park and the NPS to visitors, along with information on surrounding areas. The volunteer explains recreational opportunities, including national park interpretive programs and services, and concession facilities and services. The volunteer distributes maps, brochures, and other printed material; informs visitors of potential safety hazards; provides directions and routes of travel to provide access to the park.
The volunteer performs a variety of general office duties, including answering telephones, responding to written or phone requests for information, filing, typing and duplicating informational handouts. The volunteer operates a variety of office machines, including cash registers, calculators, typewriters, copiers, computers (if appropriate background check has been run,) and telephone/fax machines. The volunteer may be a passenger in or operate government vehicles.
The volunteer staffs the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association sales outlet, makes sales using a cash register, inventories stock, and keeps display area stocked and neat in appearance at all times.
The volunteer may also perform any or all of the following duties in the course of completing their work. These duties are secondary to the primary duties and typically constitute 20% or less of the duties of the position.
- Operating a bookstore cash register, collecting payment.
- Performing roving contact at a variety of park locations.
- Assisting other park staff at special events.
- Going into the field to familiarize self with area resources.
- Assisting, as needed, with basic emergency response.
- Opening and closing procedures of visitor center.
- Stocking Brochures in the park and local community.
To perform the duties of this position, the volunteer must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively and deal with a high volume of personal contacts in a courteous, friendly, tactful, and intelligent manner.
- Knowledge of NPS and park mission and goals.
- Skill in the handling of cash, checks, and credit cards, and ability to complete mathematical calculations and make change.
- Ability to operate an electronic cash register, credit card machine, calculator, typewriter, and computer.
- Ability to professional represent the NPS in uniform.
- Ability to work within an operation with dedicated duties and schedules.
- Public Speaking
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position is duty stationed in Calumet, MI, at the park’s visitor center. Trailer Pad sites will be provided by the park, though commuting to the visitor center (10-15 miles) may be needed depending on the site. Mileage can be reimbursed.
Standing for long periods of time, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, lifting of moderately heavy items, use of stepstools and ladders to reach high shelves, and sedentary work is required. Work is generally performed indoors in both visitor center and office settings. Trips to park field locations or local travel may be required, which may include travelling as a passenger in a government vessel. The volunteer may be subject to working in adverse weather conditions while outdoors.