2026 Visitor Center Interpretive Hosts Spring-Summer (On-site RV Residents)

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** Two volunteers required per RV site to meet schedule needs. **

Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 40 miles east of Portland, Oregon, Bonneville Lock and Dam is a National Historic Landmark operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Our site includes two powerhouses, a navigation lock, fish passage, and two visitor centers, one accessible from Oregon via I-84 and one accessible from Washington via SR 14.

To be a volunteer here is to help visitors relate to the site, tell the Corps’ story, and provoke learning of the many aspects of Bonneville Dam as well as the amazing Columbia River Gorge. Volunteers assist the Ranger staff with these goals by greeting and orienting visitors at the Information Desks, running the register in our bookstore, providing personalized visitor interactions while roving throughout the visitor centers, staffing interpretive locations, and being our assistant on powerhouse tours.

Mileage reimbursement of up to $500 for two-person teams that can arrive by April 12. Mileage will be calculated from your home/last volunteer position to Bonneville Lock and Dam.



Volunteers will be expected to work 24 hours per week per person in 3 consecutive days of 6-hour shifts. Schedule is 3 days on, 3 days off. RV gravel pad 45 feet long, 50/30 hookup, water, sewer, laundry facility, and Wi-Fi provided.

Arrival dates are April 1-4, 8-11

Training dates are April 5-8, 12-15

Departure dates are July 8-11, 15-18

Bonneville volunteers provide high quality interpretive services to enhance visitor experiences in the busy visitor centers, including:

- Staff visitor centers and bookstores

- Greet visitors and answer questions about the site and surrounding area

- Provide information about the site

- Work with our Junior Ranger program

- Inventory lost and found items

- Handle cash

- Educate visitors about park rules

- Provide informal or formal interpretive programs

- Assist Rangers with positive image and safety of Visitor Center and surrounding grounds through housekeeping, litter pick-up, and similar tasks.

Training will be provided on interpretation, cash handling, customer service, public speaking, communication, and orientation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Bonneville Lock and Dam. Prior experience in any of these areas is a plus.

Volunteers will be working mostly indoors, independently from staff while working at the Information Desk and Bookstore. Staff are nearby to respond to emergencies but will be occupied and so will depend on volunteers utilizing protocols taught in training to respond to small issues or questions independently. 3 hours per week one volunteer will rove outside in a limited shade environment at the Navigation Lock Visitor Area.

Physical Demands: Volunteers should be able to stand or walk for moderate periods of time, should be willing to intermittently work outdoors in hot weather, walking up to a half mile. Adjustable-height seating and anti-fatigue floor mats are available while staffing information desk and bookstore.

FBI fingerprint criminal history check will be administered upon arrival if volunteers do not have a recent clear check in the federal database.

Start Date - 2026-04-01

End Date - 2026-07-18