VOILA Volunteer (2025)

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Park Information:

Located approximately 20 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia, Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times. ( http://www.nps.gov/vafo)

Qualifications:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Ability and desire to follow applicable federal, state, and local laws, and park policies (e.g., operating a government vehicle), as well as directions from staff and other volunteer leaders.
• Excellent communication skills: be able to treat visitors, park staff, and fellow volunteers with professional courtesy, and ask for help when needed.
• Ability to work outside in natural conditions involving weather (e.g., heat, cold, humidity, rain, wind, etc.), animals and pests (e.g., ticks, bugs, pollen, other animals, etc.), in the early morning, day, or early evening hours.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry (up to 30 lbs.) materials and equipment.
• Volunteer Captains are encouraged to complete a 4-hr online Defensive Driving course, paid for by the park.
• Ability to work safely with common garden hand tools (e.g., hand pruner, rakes, brooms, shovels, loppers, etc.).
• Interest in and desire to learn about native plants, their importance to our ecosystem, and willingness to share this knowledge with others (e.g., visitors, staff, other VIPs).

Short Term Impact of this Work:

The gardens are attractive and thriving according to their planting design. Young trees survive and mature through the fall deer buck tree rubbing season.

Long Term Impact of this Work:

Visitors are delighted by the park’s wooded areas and gardens--and feel inspired to take action that furthers their knowledge, appreciation, or stewardship of Valley Forge and the National Park Service. Additionally, visitors will be inspired to include native plants in their home landscapes.

Time Commitment:

New volunteers (Crew Members) must complete a mandatory 1.5-hr virtual park orientation and two one-hour shadow shifts. The typical work session lasts 2-3 hours and are scheduled based upon the availability of Crew Members and the park’s priorities. The busiest months are March - Nov. of each year depending on weather conditions and work required. Crew Members should expect to volunteer 2-3 times per month during these months. A minimum commitment of 24 hours annually is required.

Description of Duties:

For both Crew Members and Crew Captains

• Implement detailed landscape plans.
• Plant, transplant, fertilize, water, prune, weed, and mulch flower beds, woody and herbaceous plants.
• Remove debris and trash from all plant areas.
• Recognize disease and insect problems and report such problems for pest control measures.
• Report problems (e.g., disease or insect related) to park arborist.
• Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Promote improvement of workplace safety & environmental practices.

For Crew Captains:

• Leads, guides and/or trains Crew Members, assigns work, and monitors work session to ensure safe, efficient, and successful completion of assignment.
• Coordinates work sessions and is a liaison between the park and the volunteers.
• Maintains timesheets for Crew Members and other records as assigned.
• Operate government vehicles to transport equipment, tools to and from worksite and the maintenance compound.

Start Date - 2025-03-10

End Date - 2026-03-09