Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09t000000ClSyBAAV/2022-campground-hosts
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ADDRESS: Arches National Park; 2282 SW Resource Blvd; Moab, Utah 84532
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 3/1/2022 – 11/30/2022
DESCRIPTION:
We are looking for couples or individuals to serve as volunteer campground hosts at Devils Garden Campground during the 2022 season. We have two positions that each serve four days on/four days off; one resides in an onsite cabin and the other in an RV campsite. Each volunteer must commit to a one-month minimum; two months or longer is preferred. Ideal candidates are patient, experienced campground hosts familiar with the Recreation.gov system.
Devils Garden Campground has 52 sites and 2 group sites, and is located near the end of the park’s 18-mile scenic road. The campground is over half an hour from the visitor center and staff offices, so it is important that hosts are comfortable working independently. Camphost volunteers may reside in a small cabin or RV campsite; utilities include water, flush toilets, propane, and 20-amp solar-powered electrical hook-up. (Propane-powered appliances are advised). There are no restaurants, dump sites, wifi, or shower facilities in the campground.
Arches National Park is a stunning landscape where red rock meets blue skies in high desert country. Stone arches, spires, and balanced rocks fill the foreground with 12,000+ foot mountains in the background. Moab, UT is just five miles from the park entrance and has all services available. Temperatures frequently exceed 95F during the summer months.
Volunteers work 4 days a week, rotating with another set of hosts. You can be on call in excess of 8 hours/day. Duties include:
- Assisting park visitors with campground vacancy, fee, and registration information, providing excellent customer service.
- Performing campground compliance checks twice daily, using reservation system daily arrival sheet.
- Answering questions and providing orientation to Arches National Park and the surrounding federal, state, and county recreation areas; inform visitors about safety and resource protection concerns in the campground, park overlooks, and park trails.
- Keeping camping areas clean, organized, and presentable. Performing routine litter removal and minor maintenance in the campground as necessary.
- Performing all duties in a safe, professional, and respectful manner.
- Roving the nearby trails, interacting with visitors, noting and reporting resource damage, if any, and walking on uneven terrain (including rock and sand) in a variety of temperatures.
- Educating visitors about campground regulations, such as dogs off leash or generator hours. Working with law enforcement rangers to resolve minor problems.
- Wearing the NPS volunteer uniform according to written standards.
- Supporting search and rescue operations by providing trailhead checks and information to visitors, and acting as a radio relay. Hosts must attend basic Search and Rescue training before helping with the more physical elements of rescues such as carry-outs (optional).
- Experience as a campground host volunteer preferred, ideally using the Recreation.gov system’s Daily Arrival Reports.
- Ability to work independently with little or no supervision for extended periods of time.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude, consistently be courteous and polite to visitors, fellow workers, and supervisors & represent the National Park Service well by presenting oneself in a professional manner at all times.
- Skill at oral communications and tactful discussion of controversial subject matter.
- Ability to follow written and oral directions, asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding of expectations.
- Knowledge of Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the surrounding area, and the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona at a basic level.
- Knowledge of the SE Utah communities of Moab, Monticello, Blanding, and Bluff at a basic level.
- Ability to operate portable radios and a golf cart to patrol the campground.
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.