Volunteer
Summer
To apply for this job please visit www.volunteer.gov.
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000005hnFW
ADDRESS: 33100 Tamiami Trail East Ochopee, Florida, 34141
DATES: 4/1/2025 – 10/31/2025
DEPT: National Park Service
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Time Commitment:
- Individual volunteers from the local commuting area who are not in need of an RV pad or housing are asked to contribute a minimum of 4 hours per week.
- Individual volunteers who are interested in volunteering but are in need of an RV pad or housing must contribute 32 hours per week; couples in the situation must contribute 48 hours total. See below for more information on housing and RV sites.
Time Frame:
- April to October in 4 to 6 week intervals
Major Duties:
Preserve Ambassador Docents can assist in any combination of Visitor Center or interpretative programming at Big Cypress National Preserve. These forward-facing positions are visitor oriented. Visitor center operations are focused at Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center or Oasis Visitor Centers and help orient visitors to the recreational opportunities of Big Cypress and south Florida National Park units. Interpretative programming in the summer is limited but may include boardwalk chats or assisting with ranger-guided hikes or canoe trips into the Big Cypress swamp.
Major duties include staffing two visitor contact centers within the preserve providing general information, orientation and safety messages to the public. Volunteers are expected to follow opening and closing procedures and collect credit card sales for the Florida National Park Association, the cooperating non-profit of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Volunteers will provide visitors with information about the preserve, programs, how to become a Junior Ranger, and directions to points of interest such as trail heads, boat landings, scenic vistas, and the best places to spot alligators; field phone calls on a number of topics; and track statistics for annual reporting.
In addition to staffing visitor contact stations, volunteers will have to opportunity to deliver interpretative, informational talks at our boardwalks and outside our visitor centers, and informal “roving” contacts to meet visitors out in the preserve along our scenic drives and boardwalks outside of scheduled programming.
Working Environment:
Visitor Center Operations are inside a climate-controlled building. There will be a fair amount of standing in this role. Boardwalk Operations and Adventures take place outside. The temperature can range from 50 to over 100 degrees. Humidity can make the feels like temperature exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Qualifications: Must have enthusiasm!!! Must enjoy working with people of all ages and have a passion for the environment. Knowledge of natural science (or willingness to learn), good communication skills, flexibility, ability to work well as a team member, are things that the Big Cypress Interpretation team values highly. This volunteer position requires wearing a uniform.
Compensation, Housing and Community: This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity.
Full hook up RV pads (water, electric, sewer) are provided in exchange for 32-hours of volunteering per week. RV sites are located within the preserve. Shared laundry facilities are available. Neighbors include other Preserve volunteers and staff as well as staff from the Florida National Parks Association. At Preserve headquarters you will have access to a community pavilion with WiFi, pool and small gym.
RVs must be fully contained. Water and electric hookups are included. The preserve offers RV Volunteers a coin operated laundry facility and pool at the headquarters building. RV pads for this position will be located at either Donna Drive or behind the Oasis Visitor Center.
Area: Big Cypress is a remote location with the closest food, stores, restaurants, hospitals and gas approximately 30 minutes away. Volunteers will need access to a vehicle other than the RV.
Within a 30 to 60-minute drive from RV sites, the volunteer will find many hiking trails and canoe/kayaking opportunities both in the park and outside the park. The area is surrounded by city, county, state, and other federal public lands that provide great opportunities to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.
Required training or certifications:
- Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to drive and haul government vehicles
Whether personal property is required (list items):
- Must provide own transportation to and from worksite if are a local VIP.
To apply for this job please visit www.volunteer.gov.