Other
Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000UWlPAAW/marine-wildlife-interpretive-host
——
ADDRESS: Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge; 2127 SE Marine Science Drive; Newport, Oregon 97365
DEPT: Fish & Wildlife Service
DATES: 5/16/2022 – 8/8/2022
DESCRIPTION:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Oregon State Parks, is seeking volunteers to serve as Coastal Wildlife interpreters at Cape Meares from mid-May through August 8, 2022. The volunteer position involves working from Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint which is adjacent to Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and overlooks public lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, namely Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Volunteer(s) will provide interpretation for visitors on the seabirds, marine mammals and other natural features that can be seen at Cape Meares. Specifically, the volunteers would be stationed on a viewing deck in the park. This site provides park visitors with close views of seabird breeding colonies, whales, and sea lions. If approved (pending the status of COVID-19 this summer) volunteer would use spotting scopes to facilitate interpretation for visitors.
Volunteers may also rove the headland to engage with visitors, from a safe distance, about the natural history of the marine environment. Volunteers are expected to work cooperatively with staff and volunteers of Oregon State Parks.
The position requires a total of 20 hours per week from each volunteer. Volunteer couples can work at the same time and are encouraged to do so. The schedule is four days beginning on Friday and continuing through Monday. Tuesday – Wednesday are days off. Five-hour shifts begin at 10 AM and end at 3 PM.
In return for volunteering, Oregon State Parks will provide a free full RV hookup (Site D11) at Cape Lookout State Park which is a 20 minute drive from Cape Meares. Volunteers must use their own vehicle to drive to and from the worksite. Hookup includes water, sewer, satellite television and electricity. Cape Lookout campground allows pets as long as they are kept on leash when outside. Pets are not permitted to accompany volunteers when they are on duty.
The volunteer must also commit to the full interpretive season which begins early to mid-May and extends through August 8. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide all necessary equipment (except raingear) and training.
Duties may include:
1. Greet visitors and, from an appropriate distance of 6 feet or more. Speak with them about the seabirds, marine mammals and rocky shore creatures of the area.
2. Provide interpretation on the marine wildlife using spotting scopes and visual aids. (Scopes may not be used depending on the status of the pandemic, roving interpretation without optics to be used if scopes are not an option).
3. Speak with visitors about the purpose of the wildlife refuge or the state park and answer their wildlife and park related questions. Identify wildlife for visitors.
4. At least 2 times each month spend time conducting interpretation on the federally threatened Western Snowy Plovers that nesting on the beaches at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.
5. Help protect the park and refuge resources and ensure visitor safety by informing visitors of potential safety hazards, conducting programs in a safe and orderly manner, reporting safety hazards and instances of lawbreaking to the Refuge Law Enforcement Officer, and attempting to correct minor infractions through interpretation. Volunteers shall not engage in law enforcement.
6. Follow CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and wear appropriate PPE as provided by the USFWS and OPRD which may include face covering even in an outdoor setting.
Requirements for the position include enthusiasm, willingness to work weekends and holidays with almost no “onsite” supervision by USFWS staff and a desire to interact with the public in a friendly and professional manner. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have an approved and documented medical or religious exception. The position requires the volunteer to spend his/her volunteer hours outdoors. Therefore, a tolerance for foggy, windy, cool and otherwise inclement weather is necessary. No prior knowledge of seabirds or marine mammals is required as volunteers will receive training and a handbook filled with information on marine wildlife.
- Conservation Education
- Fish/Wildlife
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage’s six National Wildlife Refuges that span 320 miles of Oregon’s scenic coastline. Of the six Refuge’s three are estuarine, providing habitat for songbirds, waterfowl, salmon and sensitive plant species and three are marine refuges providing resting and breeding habitat for seabirds and marine mammals. The islands and seastacks just offshore of Cape Meares are part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge which includes 1,853 islands that provide habitat for 1.2 million nesting seabirds. Species include Tufted Puffin, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Common Murre, Western Gull and Rhinoceros Auklet. Although these rocks and islands are closed to public use year-round for public safety and to provide undisturbed sanctuary for marine wildlife, there are many locations along the coast where visitors can view seabirds and marine mammals. This is the case at Cape Meares where visitors get views of whale, many species of seabirds as well as California and Steller Sea Lions.
Oregon State Parks oversees management of Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area, which includes all beaches and rocky shores along the coast. Rocky shores are a defining feature of the dramatic 360-mile long coastline of Oregon. Known for its scenic lighthouse, stunning ocean views, and octopus-shaped Sitka spruce, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is a must-see when driving the Three Capes Scenic Loop.