What's In Bloom Educator

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About This Opportunity:
What’s In Bloom Educator Volunteers support Gateway Arch National Park by helping
create a welcoming, informative, and visitor-centered environment through sharing
samples of plants that are blooming in the park. Volunteers will be provided with a
wooden wheeled cart containing the blooms in labeled containers and with an
informational sheet about the featured species. If volunteers wish to do additional
research about the plants, they may, though it is not required. Since volunteers will be
set up outside the main entrance of the park, they will likely be the first staff that visitors
see. Therefore, volunteers should also be friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable
about basic logistics of the park (bathroom locations, tram tickets, museum content,
upcoming events and programs, etc.)

Scope and Effect:
Interpretive programs inform the public about park values, park activities, the purpose of
the park and its objectives. The image of the National Park Service, the park, park
partners, and the harmony of relationships with the local communities and beyond are
affected by the volunteer's knowledge, abilities, and actions. It is essential that all
volunteer programs be well-developed, accurate, inclusive, and informative.

Roles and Responsibilities:
18 or older (younger applicants with parental/guardian approval may be considered). As
representatives of The National Park Service and Gateway Arch Park Foundation,
volunteers must adhere to the policies, procedures, and code of conduct as outlined in
the volunteer handbook provided prior to or during training.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills:
● Excellent communication skills
● A desire to interact with the public and learn more about our
gardens/landscaping, the park’s history, and the National Park Service
● Enthusiasm, friendliness, and a positive attitude
● Respect for all staff at Gateway Arch National Park, including volunteers and
partners
● Willingness to take initiative and voice ideas
● Agreement to abide by all policies in Directors Order 7 (guidelines for the
Volunteers-in-Parks program)

Physical Requirements:
● Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time
● Ability to occasionally lift and move up to forty (40) pounds to prepare materials
at the start and finish of each shift.

Potential risks may include:
● Slipping or tripping
● Sharp or slippery surfaces
● Potential interactions with unruly visitors
● Uncomfortable outdoor conditions such as heat or cold. On sunny days a shade
structure will be available if desired. On days where a heat advisory is in effect,
all outdoor programs (including the What’s In Bloom cart) will be canceled or
moved indoors. We will let you know as soon as possible if a heat advisory is
forecast.
● If programs take place indoors, volunteers may work in close quarters with park
staff and visitors with limited social distancing opportunities and possible
exposure to surface and airborne related viruses, contaminants, and hazardous
materials
● If you believe a task is unsafe before or during any event, please stop working
and notify the project lead to fix the issue. This is NPS policy as outlined in the
Operational Leadership training.

Commitment:
A minimum of four hours per month is required to keep your volunteer status active.
Please register for shifts on www.archpark.volunteerhub.com.

Location:
Gateway Arch National Park is located at 11 N. 4th St. St. Louis, MO 63102. Parking for
volunteers is at the Stadium East Lot at 200 Broadway across from Ballpark Village or
the Kiener West Lot at 604 Pine Street. Before each volunteer shift, the volunteer will
receive an email telling them where to park that day.

Training and Supervision:
New volunteers must attend orientation onsite or virtually. Volunteer supervisors will
provide training on the volunteer’s first shift. The training style and methods will vary
depending on the position, supervisor, and personal learning styles. Volunteers may be
informally shadowed at any time, and formal audits will occur once a year (they can
occur more frequently if the volunteer requests it).

About Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park is a part of the National Park Service (NPS) and therefore
follows the NPS mission to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and
values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this
and future generations. The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward
Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to
Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its
history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. For more
information, visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

About Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure
that the Gateway Arch, it’s grounds, neighboring public space, and attractions are a
vital, active, and welcoming, well-supported resource to the community and nation for
generations to come. The Foundation is part of an alliance that helps meet this mission,
which includes the National Park Service, Bi-State Development, Great Rivers
Greenway, Jefferson National Parks Association and the City of St. Louis. For more
information, visit www.ArchPark.org.