FY25 Junior Ranger Station

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Mesa Verde National Park is looking for one or two volunteers (two if a couple) to staff our Junior Ranger Station this summer!

You will work 5 days per week, 6-7 hours per day, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Weekend work is required.

Housing:

One RV site with full hook-ups is provided inside the park at Morefield Campground. Volunteer must provide their own RV. Note that Morefield Campground is located 15 miles from the Chapin Mesa Historic District, where the Junior Ranger Station is located. Volunteer must have a vehicle to drive to the station every day.

Duties:

You will staff the Mesa Verde Junior Ranger Station. You will spend quality time with prospective Junior Rangers, reviewing their activity booklets and swearing them in as Junior Rangers. Junior Ranger Station volunteers provide a fun learning experience for children while connecting them to their national park. Each day, you will open & close the station, stock materials (booklets, badges, pencils, etc.) record statistics, and clean the station area and courtyard as needed.

In addition, you will:

· Manage and maintain several child-friendly exhibits and hands-on activities.

· Volunteers may also prepare and present informal programs for children and families, such as table talks, demonstrations and roving interpretation.

· Volunteers may occasionally assist with staffing the information desk in the museum.

· Volunteers may assist with a variety of other tasks, such as roving interpretation, office tasks and special projects.

Additional Requirements:

· Must wear the Volunteer uniform.

· Must work well independently and as part of a team.

· Must be able to multitask and prioritize tasks during busy periods at the station.

Skills Desired :

Volunteers must be able to communicate effectively and enjoy working with children of all ages (and their families), patiently answering repetitive questions, providing information, and reviewing lots of Junior Ranger booklets. Volunteers should be able to adjust to times of heavy visitor contact as well as periods when things may be slow.

Work Environment:

- The Junior Ranger Station is located outdoors in the historic district of Chapin Mesa at an elevation of 7,000 feet.

- Physical Demands : While a shade canopy and chairs are available, the volunteer may be required to stand for long periods of time to assist visitors. The volunteer should be able to lift 50 pounds.

- Potential Discomforts : Work is performed outdoors under a variety of conditions that include temperature/weather extremes, exposure to insects, pollen and dust. There is a canopy for shade, but you will be required to move in and out of the canopy frequently.

Start Date - 2025-05-12

End Date - 2025-09-03

Activities include: Conservation Education;Visitor Information