Gulf Coast Visitor Center Assistant

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The Gulf Coast district of Everglades National Park is seeking volunteers to assist with visitor service duties and provide assistance at the Visitor Center.

This area of the park is a mangrove estuary where fish and birds can regularly be seen. Dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles are found in the shallow bays and channels connecting the freshwater from the north and the salt water from the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located in Everglades City, which is also considered the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.

Everglades City has a small grocery store, gas stations, and a few restaurants. Naples and Marco Island are 35 miles to the west where staff and volunteers can find a greater selection of amenities.

Visitors come to this area of the park to take boat tours, fish, canoe, kayak, and camp in the back-country. Many visitors arrive with little knowledge of the Everglades and park staff and volunteers help them to orient to the area and assist them with planning their visit.

Volunteers will primarily provide assistance at the Visitor Center, helping to orient visitors and provide them with information. During the Winter Months Volunteers give short talks, narrate boat tours, and assist with seasonal ranger programs.

Individuals must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 months, working on weekends and holidays. Volunteers must work 32 hours/week in order to qualify for an RV pad, 4 days on and 3 days off. We are seeking volunteers for year round. To be considered for working in the winter months for the first time volunteers will need to be able committee to working from Nov. 13th through at least March 18th and attend park wide training.

Trailer pad with hookups are provided, given the volunteer completes the minimum hour requirement. The park does not provide Wi-Fi, Internet, TV or phone hook-ups and cell phone services are limited. There is a public library with-in walking distance.

Availability

• 32 hours per week, 3 month minimum year round
• Volunteers are expected to be able to work on weekends and holidays.
• New Winter Season Employees Season are expected to work Nov. 13th through March 18th and attend park training

Volunteer Duties:

• Orient visitors to recreational activities such as boat tours, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, and fishing.
• Greet visitors to the park and provide them with information about the area and programs and activities offered.
• Answer the phone in the Visitor Center and provide information.
• Help keep the Visitor Center area clean and presentable to visitors.
• Help educate visitors about the cultural and natural resources in and around Everglades National Park.
• May assist with special programs and events.
• Assist with issuing backcountry camping permits and providing information to visitors about National Park Service passes.
• Provide sales and re-stocking merchandise for the Florida National Parks Association in the visitor center (a partner with the National Park Service).
• Research, prepare, and present 20 minute talks at the visitor center.

Qualifications/Skills

• Enjoy working with the public.
• Be able to deal with a high volume of visitors under occasionally hectic situations.
• Have knowledge or a willingness to learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Contribute as a team player working with a diverse group of people
• Computer skills.

Working Conditions

• Visitor Center duties may involve standing for long periods of time.
• Volunteers may be working in conditions, typical of South Florida, including heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

Benefits to Volunteers

• Gain knowledge on the operations of the National park Service
• Meet other park service employees and volunteers
• Opportunities to talk with people from all over the world
• Learn about many aspects of the park’s natural and cultural resources
• Opportunities to gain recognition items based on cumulative service

Housing Availability

• Trailer pads will be provided with full hookups.