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Interpretation Volunteer

  • Part Time
  • Buxton, NC, USA
  • 0* USD / Year
  • Applications have closed

National Park Service

Job category:
Office
Other
Volunteer
Compensation: RV Site Only
Hookups: Unknown - Inquire
Wi-Fi: Unknown
Pets OK?: Unknown

Job Description

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000YmlKAAS/interpretation-volunteer-bodie-lighthouse

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ADDRESS: Cape Hatteras National Seashore; 46375 Lighthouse Road; Buxton, North Carolina 27920

DEPT: National Park Service

DATES: 6/5/2022 – 8/13/2022

DESCRIPTION:

This position is based out of the Bodie Island District within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. As team members, volunteers will perform duties to support the interpretive operations and mission goals of the park. Duties are primarily centered upon customer service and administrative support.

 

 

DUTIES
Major Duties

Actively participate in a safe workplace culture.
Educate visitors on the seashore’s natural and cultural resources around the historic lighthouse area, beach accesses, and/or by wildlife protection areas.
Staff information desk providing park and general information to the public.
During times when lighthouse is open to climbing, staff visitor contact points within lighthouse (top and base) and grounds.
Talk in front of large groups of visitors with safety talk at the lighthouse base.
Answer numerous and repetitive questions about the park in a professional manner.
Educate visitors on the regulations of the park and safety concerns.
Use educational and informational capacity when appropriate to gain compliance with park regulations. Do not attempt to enforce any regulations by acting in a law enforcement capacity.
Use telephone to provide information about the park.
Distribute maps, brochures, and other printed materials.
Monitor and keep informational brochures stocked and available.
Handle negative contacts and sensitive topics in a professional manner.
Monitor and report safety concerns to appropriate staff member.
Receive and report lost and found items.

Other Duties

Occasionally, volunteer may be tasked to conduct an informal interpretative talk or presentation.
May be requested to assist in emergency medical responses within scope of training.
Assist with litter cleanup.
May perform a variety of administrative tasks, i.e. filing, opening boxes and paper bundles, stuffing envelopes, photocopying, reviewing text, maintain volunteer records.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to work independently with little to no supervision and as part of a team.
Ability to research and communicate facts about the resources at Cape Hatteras.
Skill in oral communication and tactful discussion of controversial subject matter.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude and consistently be courteous and polite to visitors.
Enjoy talking with and meeting people.
Ability to learn quickly and retain basic knowledge.
Ability to follow written and oral directions, ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding of expectations.
Ability to effectively deal with stressful situations.
Physical Demands

Requires sitting and standing for long periods of time. Entails walking and spending time outdoors, sometimes in warm/hot weather conditions.
Requires climbing the steps of the Bodie Island Lighthouse (the equivalent of walking up 219 steps in a ten story building). *Only at times when lighthouse is open for climbing

 

 

SKILLS
General Assistance
Public Speaking
Visitor Information
Working with People

 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments. Outer Banks weather is notoriously unpredictable and can change quickly. The area experiences thunderstorms, high winds, rain, high heat, extreme cold, tornados or waterspouts, and hurricanes. It is often hot and humid and sometimes the heat index exceeds 100 °F. The environmental conditions at the lighthouse may include high humidity and hot temperatures as well as working in crowded areas with high volumes of public use. The Seashore is also home to a number of insects including biting flies, chiggers, mosquitos, sand gnats, and ticks.

 

Hurricane season runs from June through November. If an evacuation is ordered, park facilities will be closed, and volunteers using RV pads will likely be required to evacuate with all of their belongings. Depending on the needed post-storm recovery, it can be multiple days before volunteers are allowed to return to their RV pad and to work.

 

JOB HAZARDS
General housekeeping
BACKGROUND/REFERENCE CHECK REQUIRED
Yes

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