Park Ambassador

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Position Description:

Park Ambassadors are volunteers who welcome and assist the 1.9 million annual visitors (2015) who attend park events and recreate along the park’s 26-miles of trails. Park Ambassadors offer assistance with directions, provide basic information about the park’s cultural and natural resources, inform visitors about trail conditions or issues, educate visitors about park rules and regulations, and notify park staff about important safety-related incidents or concerns. Park Ambassadors are a living representation of the park’s desire to engage event and recreation users and enhance their experience of and connection to the park.

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. (W) Welcome and assist event and recreation visitors
   • Ambassadors know the park and its trails. They learn the location of the trailheads, trail lengths, trail signage, restrooms, food and water resources, nearby landmarks and monuments, and other park initiatives that impact trail users. They wear a Park Ambassador uniform and baseball cap, and carry park issued backpacks that contain materials such as a first aid kit, trail maps, park brochures, special event flyers, basic bike repair tools and dog leashes/poop bags. They patrol designated locations in the park to maximize visitor interactions.
2. (I) Inform park staff of unsafe trail and park conditions
   • Ambassadors also serve as the field "eyes and ears" of Park management. They are aware of the park’s rules and regulations regarding proper trail and park usage. Ambassadors immediately call 911 if an emergency occurs, and call the Montgomery County Non-Emergency if any suspicious person or activity is observed. They promptly report unsafe conditions and violations to the park’s Division of Law Enforcement and Risk Management, and report general (non-immediate threats or issues) observations at the conclusion of each patrol.
3. (S) Serve as a "Emissary" for Valley Forge National Historical Park
   • Ambassadors do more than just convey information about the park’s resources- they inspire a natural excitement for Valley Forge National Historical Park and share the opportunity and need for the next generation of stewards.
4. (E) Encourage visitor courtesy, safety and awareness
   • Ambassadors educate visitors about appropriate park and trail etiquette. They are not expected to enforce rules, but rather provide information in a friendly manner. The most frequent trail etiquette issues include dogs off leash and aggressive cyclists. Ambassadors understand that Valley Forge is a place of national historical significance as well as a premier recreational resource in Southeastern Pennsylvania-and that, occasionally, conflicts may arise between these two uses.

Benefits:

• Get active outdoors! Stay physically fit while improving your community and country through service to your local national park.
• Meet new people with shared interests in history and the outdoors.
• Receive complementary training (e.g., park historical and natural resources, etc.).
• Be eligible for perks associated with the National Park Service Volunteers-in-Parks program (e.g., The Volunteer Pass to federal lands and recreation sites).
• Be eligible for perks associated with the Valley Forge’s Volunteers-in-Parks program (e.g., April free passes to area museums, park holiday party and summer barbecue, annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, 20% discount all products at The Valley Forge Encampment store, etc.).
• Develop job skills and the opportunity to become a leader of other volunteers.

Qualifications:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Have a working cell phone.
• Have a working email address.
• Ability to hike over various terrains.
• Ability to communicate courteously and professionally with visitors, park staff, and fellow volunteers.
• Successfully complete orientation and training.
• Maintain current First Aid/CPR certification.
• NPS Background check may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Perform at least two 4-hour shifts per month (Apr-Oct). Winter shifts are optional.
• Attend one of the bi-annual working meetings.
• Complete and submit patrol logs after each shift.
• Assist with park special events.
• Return equipment at the conclusion of service (e.g., Two Trail Ambassador T-shirts, Park Ambassador backpack, lightweight First Aid kit, Maps, brochures, reflective vest, etc.).