Volunteer Campground Host

Greenbelt Park is looking for immediate hosts to join our staff starting March 1st. Come be a part of the Freedom 250 and America 250 celebrations here in the Nation’s Capital!

Campground Host

Background check required.

Hours Commitment: 35 Hours a week.

Volunteers – In – Parks (VIP) assist the National Park Service in many ways including resource management projects, invasive species removal, historic programming, visitor services, trail maintenance, litter collection, and more.

Campground hosts also serve as volunteers in the VIP Program. Hosts assist park staff with campground operations and provide a variety of information to visitors including campground regulations, interpretive programs, road conditions, park natural resources, and other points of interest.

 

Position Title: Greenbelt Park Campground Host

 

Hosts are often thought of as the “eyes and ears” of campgrounds. They provide rangers with information regarding campground facilities, visitor use, and safety concerns, but do not take direct action involving law enforcement situations. Hosts may staff the ranger station, provide campground upkeep, assist with the selection of campsites and camp registration through recreation.gov.

 

Campground hosts live in designated sites within the campgrounds and are subject to visits and requests for assistance at all hours of the day. Due to training requirements, most campground host positions require a commitment, of approximately three to four months depending on the need of the park. Campground season runs all year, depending on the campground loop area.

 

Brief Description of Work to be Performed:

 

Day Host-Specific Duties:

· Initiating the daily campground report.

· Receive Recreation.gov report from park rangers and fill out placards for posting in the campground.

· Help staff the ranger station.

 

Night Host-Specific Duties:

· Closing and locking gates in the park.

· Patrolling the park at dusk and locking two gates.

· Verifying camper registration through recreation.gov and the site plastic cards.

· Completing the nightly campground sheet.

 

Additional responsibilities for all hosts may include:

· Educating (NOT ENFORCING) campers about park rules, the National Park Service mission, and protection of natural resources.

· Communicating potential or actual problems to the park rangers and/or United States Park Police.

· Answering visitor questions and providing excellent customer service.

· Assisting campers with check in procedures.

· Patrolling throughout the campground and greeting visitors in the ranger station and campground.

o Hosts can use the government smart cars to patrol and complete duties throughout the park.

· Being a representative of the National Park Service while staff is not on site.

· Cleaning the fire pits/grills.

· Removing invasive species.

· Performing trail maintenance tasks.

· Abiding by & educating visitors on park regulations and safety guidelines

 

There are NO law enforcement, bathroom cleanup, or fee collection duties. The ranger staff is on duty until 4:00 p.m.

 

Qualifications

· Be friendly and courteous to staff and park visitors.

· Ability to work well with the staff.

· Possess strong communication skills.

· Ability to follow all NPS rules and guidelines.

 

Requirements

· Provide your own transportation and living quarters (trailer or RV)

· Possess a valid driver’s license.

· Are willing to work a schedule set by Greenbelt Park staff, which includes weekends.

· Complete orientation with Greenbelt Park staff.

· Live at the campground for your assigned time period – unless otherwise specified by staff.

· Complete a background check.

· Complete the Driving License Self-Certification Form and complete online defensive driving training.

 

Physical Requirements of Work:

· Plan on working in all kinds of weather.

 

Length of Commitment:

3-4 months, 5 days a week

 

· Host A shift: 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

· Host B shift: 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

· Host C shift: 2 days from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 2 days from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The fifth day will be during the day working on maintenance projects in the campground such as cleaning grills and sites.

 

Work Environment:

Greenbelt Park has a 174-site campground (only 40 sites are available in the winter), nine miles of trails, and three picnic areas. You will be working in the park with park rangers and maintenance in indoor and outdoor environments. Greenbelt is a good working environment with respect for all visitors, volunteers, and employees.

 

Location of Position:

The Greenbelt Park Campground is in Greenbelt, Maryland. The park is over 1,100 acres and the campground has 174 sites with hot showers and bathroom facilities.

 

Supervisory Controls:

Greenbelt Park staff

 

Personal Property and Reimbursements:

All supplies and equipment are provided, and no use of personal property is needed. Reimbursements are not `approved.

 

Use of Government Vehicle:

You are authorized to drive a government vehicle within the campground and park to complete duties if necessary.

 

Benefits:

· The host receives a site with electric, sewer, and water hookups in exchange for host duties.

· Skill development and hands-on experience.

· Opportunity to support and contribute to the National Park Service as an official NPS volunteer.

· Eligible for an America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass after accumulating 250 hours or more (unless already possessing an America the Beautiful Pass Senior, Assess, or Military Pass).

· Potential training opportunities that develop knowledge and skills and enhance service.

Tagged as: FALL '26, SPRING '26, SUMMER '26, WINTER