Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000gxffAAA/grand-portage-national-monument-visitor-services-and-interpretation
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ADDRESS: Grand Portage National Monument; 170 Mile Creek Road; Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 5/15/2023 – 10/1/2023
DESCRIPTION:
National Park located along the North Shore of Lake Superior seeks 8 volunteers from mid-May through late September in visitor services and interpretation.
Grand Portage National Monument (GRPO) is a park unit co-managed by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe Tribe). Comprised of 710 acres, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Grand Portage National Monument is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, and sits entirely within Tribal lands of the Grand Portage Band. Incumbent will work frequently with Grand Portage Band members and tribal employees. Cultural resources are largely related to fur trade archeological resources, Ojibwe heritage, and water transportation (birch bark canoes). Significant natural resources include Lake Superior shoreline, wetlands, boreal forest, and Pigeon River frontage on the United States and Canadian border. GRPO is seeking volunteers in the area of visitor services and interpretation. Opportunities in learning about the culture of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe as well as the rich history of the fur trade at this important site, which was the headquarters of the NorthWest Company during the 1790’s.
DUTIES
Staffs both indoor and outdoor interpretive areas as well as monument’s heritage center. Greets visitors, provides basic orientation to the site and local area, provides safety messages, responds to questions in person, and by telephone. Works collaboratively with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, its members, and its community members as an employee of a co-managed National Park Unit. Provides a variety of interpretive support duties including the use and care of audio-visual equipment, care for living history clothing (inventory and tracking, and cleaning items as well as making needed repairs), care and cleaning of interpretive props in all areas, inventory and stocking of brochures, maintaining supplies at interpretive stations, opening and closing the site, and records visitation statistics.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to professionally communicate well with visitors and staff. Enthusiastic about learning and ability to work as a member of a team. Ability to work independently as needed. Enjoys working with the public. Interest in history and historic demonstrations an asset.
SKILLS
Photography
Public Speaking
Teaching
Visitor Information
Working with People
Writing/Editing
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work will take place within the Heritage Center and Historic Depot Interpretive areas. RV pads are located within the Grand Portage village, .5 miles from the site. Within Grand Portage is a small convenience store with groceries and a post office. The nearest towns are Grand Marais, Minnesota (36 miles from Grand Portage). The population of Grand Marais is approximately 1300. There are grocery stores, restaurants, auto repair, two banks and a credit union. Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada is 40 miles to the north. Population is approximately 165,000. This is a large city with all the amenities such as an international airport, medical, dental, and shopping. Unlimited recreation opportunities are available for the outdoor enthusiast. There are hiking trails, inland lakes, waterfalls, Lake Superior, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to explore. Canoeing, fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling are all popular activities.
JOB HAZARDS
Slip, trip, and fall hazards
BACKGROUND/REFERENCE CHECK REQUIRED
Yes