Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000UaOBAA0/campground-host-the-needles
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ADDRESS: Canyonlands National Park; End of Highway 211; Monticello, Utah 84535
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 4/12/2022 – 9/30/2022
DESCRIPTION:
Help visitors appreciate, understand, and appropriately enjoy the stunning red rock desert of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park while serving as volunteer campground host for 4-6 weeks.
Join a team of dedicated rangers working to help visitors appreciate, understand, and safely enjoy the stunning red rock desert of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. We are looking for couples or individuals with an RV to serve as volunteer campground hosts during these time slots:
- April 12 to May 31
- May 1 to May 31
- August 15 to September 15
- August 15 to September 30
Positions last a minimum of three weeks, though filling an entire slot is preferred.
The Needles is a very rural location with no cellular service. This is a great opportunity for someone who likes to meet people of all ages and backgrounds, enjoys variety in their days, and will relish the peace and quiet of this off-the-grid setting.
Benefits include:
- Training opportunities with skilled NPS staff.
- The opportunity to live and work in Canyonlands.
- Reimbursement for propane used while camping may be available. (Daily stipend or meal reimbursement will not be available.)
These positions serve four days and then have four days off, partnering with another volunteer host for seven-day coverage of these duties:
- Assist park visitors with campground vacancy and registration information.
- Perform campground compliance checks twice daily, using reservation system daily arrival sheet.
- Answer questions about the district and Canyonlands National Park, and the surrounding federal, state, and county recreation areas; provide accurate, updated information regarding safety and resource protection concerns in the campground, park overlooks, and park trails.
- Keep camping areas clean, organized, and presentable. Perform routine litter removal and minor maintenance in the campground as necessary.
- Perform all duties in a safe, professional, and respectful manner, and follow all COVID-related risk mitigation practices required.
- Assisting staff with informal interpretation during the midday hours as determined by site volunteer supervisor.
- Rove district trails to interact safely with visitors, noting and reporting resource damage, if any, and checking backcountry permits.
- Educate visitors engaged in minor campground regulations, such as dogs off leash or generator use outside posted hours.
- Assist with the support of search and rescue operations by providing trailhead checks and information to visitors, and acting as a radio relay. Host must attend basic Search and Rescue training before helping with the more physical elements of rescues such as carry-outs (optional).
The ideal candidate must be comfortable working with people of all ages and abilities and have strong communication skills. The volunteer will be working without daily supervision, and must be self-motivated.
Also required:
- Valid state Driver’s License
- Ability to drive a vehicle with a trailer
- Ability to walk on uneven terrain (including rock and sand)
- Comfort working in the desert with unpredictable, sometimes extreme weather
- Provide his or her own tent / RV / Trailer and camping / cooking equipment.
- Backpacking/Camping
- Drivers License
- Visitor Information
- Working with People
Much of Canyonlands National Park is wilderness, and those residing within the park enjoy unparalleled access to explore this remote landscape. Hiking, backpacking, and 4WDing are very popular here. The town of Monticello, UT is located 55 miles from The Needles district and is a small, rural town that provides basic services. There is a grocery store, gas stations, and a few restaurants, as well as hotels to serve visitors to the area. Major services are available in Moab, Utah (72 miles), or Cortez, Colorado (100 miles).
The RV sites for these opportunities have water and sewer hookups, but no electricity.