Volunteer Interpreter - Vanderbilt Mansion

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Volunteers support the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect our national parks. At the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site (HOFR), the 32nd and longest-serving president of the United States returned to Hyde Park often, drawing on this place to renew his spirit during times of personal and political crisis. At the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (ELRO), the social activist and former First Lady entertained friends, state visitors, the press, and their associates in the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere of Val-Kill Cottage. The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site (VAMA) is a home built expressly for the aristocratic lifestyle - built by of one of the first families of wealth in America and designed by one of the nation's preeminent architects.

Each of the properties at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites was opened as part of a promise to show the world how each group had lived, and by extension the impact that such lives have had on the United States of America as a whole. Part of that promise includes regular guided tours, hosted by the National Parks Service. The NPS looks for Volunteer Tour Guides to help connect park guest through guided tours and answering questions to one of the main park sites - "HOFR", "ELRO", and/or "VAMA".

Minimum of 4 hours per day , at least 1 day per week on a regularly scheduled day, either a morning or afternoon shift. This would entail presenting 2 tours and, if needed, two backups. Volunteer staff need to inform the Site Supervisor or Lead Ranger when they will not be able to come in to work, due to vacations, illness, or other family needs. Though this is not a paid position, we need to know, as we would with a paid member of the staff when the volunteer will not be at work for their scheduled day.

Individuals who wish to present tours within the historic buildings, including the Vanderbilt Mansion, will start by accompanying interpreters on guided tours to observe and learn from them while also assisting or "backing up" the program. When the volunteer and supervisor are confident the volunteer is ready to learn to present guided programs within one or more of the historic structures a formal background check will be initiated. Any volunteer with unsupervised access to historic interiors is required to submit to and pass a background check which is paid for by the park. While the process of the background check is underway the volunteer may continue training to lead tours and when it is complete will be given access to historic interiors to lead guided tours without the direct supervision of park staff.

Start Date - 2023-04-26

End Date - 2024-04-25

Activities include: Conservation Education;Historical Preservation;Tour Guide/Interpretation;Visitor Information

Difficulty_Level: Average