Volunteer Park Ranger (Interpretation)

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Crater Lake National Park is seeking volunteers to present interpretive programs and engage with the public at visitor centers and viewpoints. This is a great opportunity to work outdoors in one of America’s most beautiful and fascinating places.

PARK PROFILE

Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest lake in the USA. Fed by rain and snow, the lake is 1,943 feet deep and is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. It rests inside a 6-mile-wide caldera, formed 7,700 years ago when a 12,000-foot-tall volcano collapsed following a major eruption. Later eruptions formed Wizard Island, a cinder cone near the southwest shore. Today, old-growth forests blanket the volcano’s outer slopes, harboring 700 native plant species and 72 types of mammals. The park is central to the cultural traditions of several American Indian tribes, whose ancestors witnessed the lake's formation. Established in 1902, the park is the 5th oldest National Park Service site in America, enjoyed by more than 500,000 visitors annually.

SUMMER AT CRATER LAKE

Summers at Crater Lake are short but spectacular. Most of the park is covered by snow until mid-June. July and August bring beautiful displays of wildflowers. In July and August, daytime highs average 69 degrees, lows 41. Days are generally sunny, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. The park’s Rim Drive, open from July to October, allows visitors to complete a scenic 33-mile loop around Crater Lake. Other activities include hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, camping, and stargazing. The park has a campground, 2 lodges, and 3 restaurants.

DATES & HOURS

The position will start on June 2. We are looking for volunteers who can stay at least through September 1, and ideally to the end of September. This is a full-time position. Volunteers will generally work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Both individuals and couples are welcome to apply.

DUTIES

This summer, we expect to utilize 3 volunteers to supplement our paid staff of 8-10 seasonal rangers. Our volunteers perform the same duties as our paid staff. It’s hard work, but past volunteers have found it to be very rewarding. The season will begin with 3 weeks of training and team-building. Volunteers will receive training in interpretation, geology, lake ecology, forest ecology, human history, first aid, and CPR. They will hear from park scientists and observe sample programs given by our returning staff. Volunteers will then spend approximately 50% of their time preparing and presenting programs to the visiting public. This summer’s program schedule has not been determined yet, but programs may include ranger talks, guided hikes, trolley tours, boat tours, junior ranger activities, campground evening programs, and night sky viewing programs. Other duties will include staffing the park’s visitor centers (25%), engaging the public at viewpoints and on hiking trails (10%), answering phone calls, emails, and snail mail (10%), and miscellaneous projects (5%).

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking volunteers who have strong customer service skills and some public speaking experience (or at least ability). Natural history knowledge is helpful, but more important is the ability to communicate in a clear, friendly, and enthusiastic way with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. Volunteers must have a positive attitude, a patient disposition, a desire to learn about and explore the park, enthusiasm for serving the public, and a strong work ethic. They must be able to absorb a great deal of information during seasonal training and quickly use that information to develop their interpretive programs. Applicants must be US citizens, have a valid driver’s license, and pass a drug test before the season starts. These requirements are due to Coast Guard regulations. (When presenting boat tours, volunteers serve as crew members on Coast Guard-approved tour boats.) Volunteers must also be willing to wear an NPS volunteer uniform.

BENEFITS

· Free housing (see below)

· Reimbursement for groceries, supplies, and gasoline (up to $400/month)

· America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass (free entry to 2,000 federal recreation sites for 1 year)

HOUSING

The volunteer will live in a furnished house within walking distance (5-10 minutes) of work. Pets are not allowed in these units. Each house has 2 bathrooms, 2 single bedrooms, and 1 bedroom with two beds. The volunteer may be required to share a bedroom with another new employee. (The single bedrooms are allocated to returning employees.) Each house has a washer & dryer (free of charge) and satellite TV. There is no cell reception, but the houses have free Wi-Fi and a landline with free local calls. Internet access is also available on government computers at the office. The volunteer will have access to the park’s physical fitness center. The park also has several RV sites, with hookups, that may be available for volunteers who have their own trailers or motorhomes (inquire before applying).

AREA INFORMATION

Crater Lake National Park is relatively remote. The nearest supermarkets and major shopping facilities are 60 miles away in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Reliable personal transportation is recommended. This position requires living and working at elevations of 6,400 to 7,700 feet above sea level. Nearby attractions include Redwood National & State Parks, Lava Beds National Monument, Oregon Caves National Monument, and the Oregon coast.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are encouraged to e-mail a cover letter and resume to David_Grimes@nps.gov. Please include your dates of availability and 3 references with phone numbers. You may also apply online, through this website, but preference will be given to applicants who apply directly. We typically receive 15-20 applications for our 3 positions. Thank you for your interest!

Start Date - 2025-06-02

End Date - 2025-09-30