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Site Host (Silver Lake)

Forest Service

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

Job Description

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000W8FdAAK/site-host-silver-lake-recreation-area-day-use-on-apalachicola-nf

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ADDRESS: Apalachicola National Forest; Silver Lake Rd; Tallahassee, Florida 32311

DEPT: Forest Service

DATES: 3/11/2022 – 3/11/2023

DESCRIPTION:

Visitors most often come to the largest recreation area on the Apalachicola National Forest to swim off the 250-foot white sand beach, walk the mile-long interpretive trail or picnic at one of 45 picnic tables, each of which comes with an individual grill. This family-friendly destination just outside Tallahassee is ideal for a family day of fun in the sun!nnBoating–Non-motorized

 

 

  • Be a first person informal contact for visitors; may be asked to provide roving and formal/informal interpretation to communicate developed site, agency mission.
  • Stay in the area and serve as a resource for visitors; visit with and conduct inspections throughout the recreation area.
  • Assist with registering trail usage plus provide information on rules/guidelines to help provide a safe, clean environment for all visitors (note: fees are not collected by volunteers directly from hikers – this is a self-service fee area).
  • Provide posted information, answer questions about the campground, local amenities and services, trails, area recreational opportunities and site regulations
  • Identify issues that need to be addressed; contact FS officials to address issues.
  • Serve as an important link between USFS law enforcement officials and the site. Hosts only report incidents and situations that need to be addressed. Hosts do not take actions to enforce laws, regulations and policies, such as detaining or arresting suspects and endangering themselves or visitors.
  • Monitor safety and reporting hazards to appropriate FS officials.
  • Assist in maintaining the beauty of the site and visitor safety by ensuring that visitors know and follow rules during their visit; conduct minor maintenance and clean up.
  • Help with other duties that may arise that benefit the visitors.
  • Maintenance responsibilities will include: daily water testing of chlorine residual, cleaning restroom, cleaning contact station, operate mowing equipment as needed and trained, light carpentry and plumbing repairs, emptying of trash cans and recycling receptacles, transporting garbage to work center dumpster, litter pickup.
  • May be called upon to assist with emergencies such as SAR (search-and-rescue) or evacuations due to hurricane or wildland fire; operate two-way radio equipment; report suspicious behavior and/or criminal incidents.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be willing to make 6 month commitment including holidays, be able to work at least 30 hours per week, and have your own RV/trailer with a shower and bathroom.

 

SKILLS

  • Visitor Information
  • Working with People
DUTIES

General maintenance, cleaning, and grounds keeping.

 

SKILLS
  • Carpentry
  • First Aid Certificate
  • General Assistance
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Other Trade Skills
  • Visitor Information
  • Working with People

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Boating–Non-motorized

  • Non-motorized boats float on the 15-acre lake angling for largemouth bass, brim or catfish. The landscape is a mostly longleaf pine and hardwood hammock forest.

Fishing

  • Fish from banks of the lake, which are accesible in many spots via the hiking trail.

Nature Watching

  • Bald eagles and songbirds are at home in this longleaf pine forest that also makes room for cypress, tupelo trees, turkey oak and palmettos. Rare species of plants and animals can be found at Silver Lake, but the observant visitor is more likely to see turtles, alligators, bears, turkeys and armadillos.
  • Silver Lake is in the Munson Sandhills, which are composed of deep dry sands that have accumulated over limestone. Because the sand absorbs rainfall so completely, wetlands are relatively rare in this part of the forest. In places, the limestone dissolves and collapses, forming the depressions and ponds, lakes and sinkholes that are common in the area.

 

Walk the Trail

  • The gentle one-mile loop Silver Lake Trail circles the lake.

Swimming

Picnicking

OHV Trailhead

At a Glance

Operational Hours: Day use only
Fees: $5 per vehicle. Separate fee for OHVs. See our OHV web page for more information on OHV passes and fees.
Usage: Medium
Restrictions:
  • No alcohol allowed
  • Only non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake.

General Information

Accessibility:

The picnic area is accessible.

Directions:

From I-10 to Tallahassee

  • Go through the intersection of State Highways 263 and 20.
  • Follow SR 20 west approximately 4 miles, then south onto County Road 260.
  • Go about 4 miles and turn left at the Silver Lake sign.

 

General Notes:

Amenities:

  • Bathhouse with showers
  • Boat ramp
  • Drinking water
  • Parking
  • Picnic tables with grills (45)
  • Toilets (flush)
  • Year-round host lives at the site

 

Licenses and Passes

Boating 

  • Boating in the National Forests in Florida is regulated by the state of Florida. Please visit our boating web page before you grab your personal floatation device and head out onto the water.

Fishing 

 

Vehicles allowed on Apalachicola OHV trails

  • Licensed vehicles registered with the state, legal on public roads. Display metal license plate with serially numbered validation decal. Carry registration certificate.
  • Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) includes all terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off highway motorcycles (OHMs) not registered or licensed for use on public roads.
  • Recreational off highway vehicles (ROVs) includes motorized vehicles 60 inches or less in width, dry weight 1,500 pounds or less, four non-highway tires, non-straddle seating, steering wheel, manufactured for recreation use by one or more persons.

 

Roads / trails and vehicles allowed

  • Numbered roads
    • ​Open to licensed vehicles only.
    • No OHVs except on mixed-use roads.
    • Low maintenance roads have vertical numbers on brown fiberglass posts.
    • Higher maintenance roads have horizontal numbers on wood posts.
  • Unumbered roads
    • Not open for motor vehicle use (licensed or unlicensed).
  • Mixed-use roads
    • Open to both licensed and unlicensed vehicles.
  • Liberty County
    • Marked by brown fiberglass posts, the road number (3 digits) and a Jeep symbol.
    • These are unmaintained system roads for 4×4 and ATV use during hunting season.
    • No permit required.
  • Leon County
    • Parts of the OHV trail system are on numbered roads.
    • These mixed use roads (30 mph speed limit) have both licensed and unlicensed vehicles.
    • Marked with yellow or white posts, the road number (3 digits). and a Jeep symbol.
    • Mixed use is allowed on numbered roads from one section of OHV trail to another, not the full length of the road.
  • OHV trails–only in Leon County
  • Trails marked with yellow or white fiberglass posts and trail number (1 or 2 digits) and ATV or motorcycle symbol.
    • Yellow OHV trails allows ATVs, ROVs and motorcycles (55 miles)
      • White OHV trails allows motorcycles only (56 miles)
JOB HAZARDS
  • General housekeeping
  • Slip, trip, and fall hazards
  • Equipment maintenance

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