Living History Interpreter - Adult Volunteer

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If you are interested in applying please go to volunteer.gov and search for "Fort Vancouver". Select the "Living History Interpreter - Adult Volunteer" opportunity and apply through the volunteer.gov webpage.

Living history interpreters not only make Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s events come to life, they make them possible! The park’s events - whether they are signature classics or new experiences for the community - are a profound way to connect visitors to our park’s stories and resources.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Volunteers work with each other and park staff to interpret the site’s stories and resources to the visiting public in ways that are safe, professional, engaging, and accurate.
• Because Fort Vancouver is a National Park Service unit, living history interpreters at events are representatives of the National Park Service while they volunteer.
• Volunteers actively contribute to clean, safe workspaces, both in setting up and cleaning up from events.
• Any volunteer may stop any activity at any time if there is a safety concern.
• Adult volunteers may chaperone youth volunteers. See: supervision.
• Volunteers MUST sign in at the start of every event.

Knowledge and Abilities Required for the Position

• Volunteers must read and understand all event materials (resource guides, background information, station placements, shift rotations, youth and adult chaperone assignments, etc.) prior to the event.
• When relevant, volunteers must attend a pre-event orientation.
• Volunteers must commit to portraying themselves in period clothing - no painted nails, no modern shoes, no tee shirts visible, etc.
• It is crucial volunteers are comfortable interacting with the general public, answering questions, and/or directing visitors to other volunteers or staff.

Supervision

• Living history interpretation volunteers immediately report to their point of contact in the park; usually the park’s Interpretive Lead.
• As an adult volunteer, park staff may assign you youth volunteers to chaperone for a shift or entire duration of an event. In such cases, it is your responsibility to supervise the youth volunteers - never being alone one-on-one with them and never letting them out of your sight.

Guidelines

• Guidelines include established National Park Service procedures, program objectives, interpretation guidelines, legislative mandates, management policies, park practices, and supervisory guidelines.

Work Environment

• Environment may be inside or outside; weather conditions vary drastically.
• Environment may be heated or unheated.
• Environment may include open flame and fires, black powder and reproduction firearms, vehicles, livestock, baseball fields, loud (but not amplified) music, crowds/crowded space, smoke, uneven ground, sharp or heavy tools, or other potential hazards.
• Most - but not all - event areas are wheelchair-accessible.
• Environment may contain a combination of living history and museum items.
• A first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and first aid/CPR trained staff will always be present in the environment.