Visitor Services Volunteer (Interpretation)

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Job Duties:

• Demonstrate a courteous, customer service attitude with visitors and colleagues.
• Follow National Park Service, park, and work group procedures and policies.
• When in uniform or perceived to be a park representative, support and explain agency policies in a nonpartisan, courteous way (or refer to someone who can).
• Follow designated chain of communication and consult supervisor when uncertain.
• Contribute to a safe, positive working environment. The NPS has zero tolerance for hostile behavior in the workplace.
• Carry out all duties in a collaborative, professional and respectful manner.
• Use park radio to communicate relevant information, including safety, trail conditions, resource management and protection compliance concerns.
• Identify issues that need to be addressed; contact supervisor to address issues.
• Use park vehicles as needed.
• Staff park facilities in order to educate, interpret for, orient, and inform visitors about the significance of park resources and regulations necessary to protect resources; provide directional and safety information. Staffed locations include:
• McKittrick Contact Station
• Frijole Ranch Cultural History Museum
• Pratt Cabin
• Pine Springs Visitor Center
• May conduct roving interpretation on park trails. Roves are to meet, assist, orient, and provide information to visitors and can present many opportunities for informal interpretation.
• Help with visitor management during high visitation periods. May include helping direct traffic in parking lots.
• May staff trailheads to provide directional and safety information to park visitors and perform preventative search and rescue.
• Answer questions about Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the campgrounds, local amenities and services, trails, area recreational opportunities and park regulations. Contact park officials to answer unique/difficult questions.
• Pick up litter as needed.
• Provide first aid or other emergency services (to your level of certification) and other visitor safety needs.
• Monitor safety and report hazards to park officials.
• Serve as an important link between park law enforcement officials and the visitors-only report incidents and situations that need to be addressed, do not take actions to enforce laws, regulations, and policies, such as detaining or arresting suspects and endangering themselves or visitors.
• May assist with similar duties within Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed at high elevation (5700ft+) in varying weather conditions. Volunteers working outdoors must be prepared for extreme temperature changes, precipitation, insects, and smoke from forest fires. Volunteers working primarily indoors should be prepared for frequent power outages and adverse weather. Volunteers should anticipate these conditions and prepare accordingly.
• Must be able to hike at least 1 mile per hour on uneven terrain with moderate elevation gain, for a distance of at least 4 miles, carrying basic day hiking equipment + sufficient water for the distance traveled, in moderate weather conditions.

Qualifications - Must be at least 18 years old, enjoy working with people from varied backgrounds, be willing to learn about the park, and aid park visitors.

Training - Training will be provided.

Equipment - All necessary equipment will be provided to accomplish expected duties apart from pants/shorts and footwear.

Housing - Dormitory Park housing with shared common areas and possibly shared bedroom or RV sites may be available for volunteers willing to provide 32 hours of service per week.

Start Date - 2024-08-01

End Date - 2025-08-01

Activities include: General Assistance;Tour Guide/Interpretation;Visitor Information