Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000Y0LMAA0/lake-mead-visitor-center
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ADDRESS: Lake Mead National Recreation Area; 601 Nevada Way; Boulder City, Nevada 89005
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES:
DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the Visitor Center Volunteer is to provide visitors with accurate information about Lake Mead National Recreation Area and surrounding areas, so visitors can enjoy the park and surrounding lands in a safe and informed manner. We are looking for local volunteers to give a minimum of 4 hours per shift. Volunteers with RVs are required to volunteer 32 hours per week for an RV Site.
The primary duty of the Visitor Center Volunteer is to provide high quality customer service to our visitors. This includes greeting all park visitors that enter the building with a smile and a genuine welcome greeting. Volunteers will provide visitors with accurate information either verbally or through handouts and brochures.
Volunteers will provide guidance, directions and basic orientation about the park through the use of the park map and other related materials to inform the visitor, so they can make an educated decision about what to do, activities to participate in and how to safely explore the park and the surrounding the area; therefore, the volunteer will need to become familiar with overall park history and recreational opportunities available.
Duties include the following:
· Assist with open and close visitor center procedures:
· Check for sufficient brochure stock and replenish throughout the day as needed.
· Assist with organizing and taking inventory of brochures and supplies and inform the visitor center supervisor when stock is low.
· Fold brochures to the appropriate size to fit into the Information desk slots.
· Assist with making copies of brochures.
· Lift and carry brochure boxes weighing up to 25 pounds.
· Change the date on the passport stamp.
· Post daily weather readings.
· Volunteer may be asked to collect and record visitor contacts throughout the day. This may be done using a handheld counter or by reading the electronic visitor counter. This includes telephone calls, film attendance and Jr. Ranger statistics.
· Record visitor statistics on the monthly visitation form.
· Volunteer will also record their own hours each time they work.
· Turn on/off multimedia equipment such as televisions, CD players and projectors.
Provide information on the phone:
· Listen to the caller and ask clarifying questions to provide them with verbal information or information to be mailed to them.
· Address and fill envelopes with appropriate brochures to answer mail requests for visitor information
· Use the phone system to transfer phone inquiries when needed
Provide basic housekeeping tasks:
· Dust exhibits, bookshelves and cobweb-collecting spots with a hand duster.
· Wipe smudges off of glass doors, windows, counter tops and walls with various cleaners to keep the visitor center area neat and clean.
· Occasionally vacuum carpet.
· Shakeout or sweep entrance mats outdoors.
· Emptying trash/recycle containers.
Knowledge of sales merchandise:
· Become familiar with and recommend products and books in the Western National Parks Association (WNPA) bookstore based on visitor inquiry and to augment a visitor’s experience.
· If properly trained by the Association Manager, the volunteer may assist the WNPA staff by operating the Point of Sales (POS) cash register and credit card machine. This includes handling cash and credit card transactions by providing accurate change to customers.
· Volunteers may be asked to support with pricing and stocking merchandise.
Informal Interpretation:
· As the volunteer becomes more familiar with the park’s history and recreational opportunities, volunteers can venture out from behind the visitor center desk and interact with visitors through roving the visitor center and announcing the park film and providing a short five minute introductory description in advance of each showing.
· Volunteers may be trained to assist park staff in giving table talks on a variety of subjects and topics. For example, Public Lands, Invasive Species, Geology, Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBR), and Animal Wingspans. Each table talk is self-contained and self-explanatory with talking points and visuals supplied.
Other occasional duties:
· Volunteers may be asked to support with arranging, organizing, categorizing, and tidying library books and DVD/CD’s.
· Roving the gardens and picking up trash and debris from the walkways.
· Volunteer may ride in a government vehicle and boat for work related duties, training and orientation of the park.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, professional appearance, willingness to learn, ability to interact with the public in a professional manner by phone and in person, a willingness to work independently within prescribed parameters, an appreciation of the concept of teamwork, and ability to stand for long periods of time
- Conservation Education
- General Assistance
- Public Speaking
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
Physical Demands: The Visitor Center position requires the volunteer to stand for the majority of their shift with occasional opportunities to sit and take breaks. Volunteer may be asked to assist with other physical activities, such as the following:
· Lifting or carrying items weighing up to 25 lbs.
· Repetitive movements such as folding brochures or pricing merchandise.
· On occasion, volunteers may support staff with set up/take down of tables/chairs/tents, and other materials as needed.
· Raising their arms above shoulder level.
· Bending and stooping to reach for brochures.
· Ability to hear and understand visitors on the telephone.
- General housekeeping
- Slip, trip, and fall hazards
- Ergonomic problems
- Environmental Hazards: Lake Mead Visitor Center is climate controlled. The volunteer will need to be able to be able to stand for long periods of time.
- Yes