Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000UUYRAA4/heather-meadows-visitor-center-host
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ADDRESS: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; 10091 Mt. Baker Highway; Glacier, Washington 98244
DEPT: Forest Service
DATES: 6/20/2022 – 9/25/2022
DESCRIPTION:
Share your love of the outdoors and the National Forest system. Join us as a Visitor Center Host at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Now accepting applications for June 2022 through September 2022.
The Heather Meadows Visitor Center was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1940’s as a ski warming hut and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rustic building has a warm wood interior with an open floor plan, a rock fireplace (only heat source) and a propane powered generator that provides power to a limited number of outlets and overhead task lighting. There is no running water at the visitor center and restroom facilities are located outdoors across the parking lot from the building.
The center is operated by the US Forest Service along with the agency’s cooperating partner, North Cascades Institute (NCI) who run a retail outlet on a daily basis during the operating season. NCI staff include one employee during each shift. The outlet sells books, maps, interpretive items and federal recreation passes.
The Heather Meadows area is a National Forest recreation fee site and visitors are required have a valid federal recreation pass posted in their vehicle while in the area.
The Heather Meadows Visitor Center is open on a daily basis during the summer months once the Mt. Baker Highway is plowed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and vehicular access is gained into the area (typically early July). The Heather Meadows area is one of the heaviest visited sites of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Visitation varies on weather and you can expect up to 300 visitors to the center on a sunny day.
Daily operating hours at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center are from 10 am to 4 pm. Start and end date of the host positions are negotiable.
Volunteers will be signed up under US Forest Service Individual Volunteer Agreements (OF-201a). All volunteers are asked to record their hours serving as Heather Meadows Visitor center hosts.
- Provide in person information, interpretation and orientation to visitors.
- From 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, be available at or around the parking lot area or in the Visitor Center to meet and interact with visitors.
- In a professional and friendly manner, engage visitors to deepen their personal connection to the Heather Meadows Area and public lands in general.
- Provide brochures, maps and details about Heather Meadows including recreational opportunities, safety issues, rules and regulations, facilities, programs, points of interest, natural resources and local services.
- Volunteer may be asked to assist with educational programs or outreach events during normal public hours.
- Provide public contact along area trail systems when time allows.
- Light maintenance such as tidying and stocking restrooms, sweeping floors, cleaning surfaces, maintain a fire in the fire place, and litter pick up in along trails and near the parking lot.
- Volunteers are required to wear provided uniform when in public contact.
- May perform a variety of other duties.
- Volunteers each must work a minimum of 32 hours per week in exchange for housing in on site A-frame or use of an RV space with electrical hookup and kitchen access in Glacier.
- Drivers License
- First Aid Certificate
- Map Reading
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
The Heather Meadows area is a popular day use destination that also provides access to Wilderness trails located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Geographically the area sits in a divide between the Cascade Mountain peaks of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan at an elevation of approximately 4,300 feet in a sub-alpine setting along the upper reaches of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, Washington State Route 542. The closest town and Forest Service office is in Glacier, Washington, 22 miles to the west. The closest full-service community is Bellingham, Washington, 56 miles to the west of Heather Meadows. During the winter months the Mt. Baker Ski Area operates in the Heather Meadows Area.
Housing is available in an A-Frame chalet style bunkhouse located in the Heather Meadows area close to Mt. Baker Ski Area buildings and infrastructure. The Heather Meadows area is 22 miles west of Glacier, WA where limited services (convenience store, restaurant, post office) are available. The closest full service community is Bellingham, WA 56 miles to the west. The bunkhouse has electricity and running water. Access to the main floor is up a short flight of outdoor stairs. The main floor has a living room area, a galley kitchen, one small bedroom and a bathroom with toilet, sink, stall shower, washer and dryer. A steep set of stairs lead to the upper level with two additional separate sleeping areas. Furnishings include couch, chairs, dinette, desk, shelving, twin beds, basic kitchen ware and utensils.
An RV/Trailer Pad in Glacier with access to a washer and dryer can also be made available
Housing is available in an A-Frame chalet style bunkhouse located in the Heather Meadows area close to Mt. Baker Ski Area buildings and infrastructure. The Heather Meadows area is 22 miles west of Glacier, WA where limited services (convenience store, restaurant, post office) are available. The closest full service community is Bellingham, WA 56 miles to the west. The bunkhouse has electricity and running water. Access to the main floor is up a short flight of outdoor stairs. The main floor has a living room area, a galley kitchen, one small bedroom and a bathroom with toilet, sink, stall shower, washer and dryer. A steep set of stairs lead to the upper level with two additional separate sleeping areas. Furnishings include couch, chairs, dinette, desk, shelving, twin beds, basic kitchenware and utensils.
An RV/Trailer Pad in Glacier with access to a washer and dryer can also be made available.