What's in Bloom Educator

Do you love horticulture and education? We've got just the thing for you!

About This Opportunity: What’s In Bloom Educator Volunteers support Gateway Arch National Park by helping create a welcoming, informative, and visitor-centered environment by sharing samples of plants that are blooming in the park. Volunteers will be provided with a wooden wheeled cart containing the blooms in labeled containers and with an informational sheet about the featured species. If volunteers wish to do additional research about the plants, they may, though it is not required. Since volunteers will be set up outside the main entrance of the park, they will likely be the first staff that visitors see. Therefore, volunteers should also be friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable about the basic logistics of the park (bathroom locations, tram tickets, museum content,
upcoming events, programs, etc.)

Scope and Effect: Interpretive programs inform the public about park values, park activities, the purpose of the park, and its objectives. The image of the National Park Service, the park, park partners, and the harmony of relationships with the local communities and beyond are affected by the volunteer's knowledge, abilities, and actions. It is essential that all volunteer programs be well-developed, accurate, inclusive, and informative.

Roles and Responsibilities: 18 or older (younger applicants with parental/guardian approval may be considered). As representatives of The National Park Service and Gateway Arch Park Foundation, volunteers must adhere to the policies, procedures, and code of conduct as outlined in the volunteer handbook provided prior to or during training.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills:
● Excellent communication skills
● A desire to interact with the public and learn more about our gardens/landscaping, the park’s history, and the National Park Service
● Enthusiasm, friendliness, and a positive attitude
● Respect for all staff at Gateway Arch National Park, including volunteers and partners
● Willingness to take initiative and voice ideas
● Agreement to abide by all policies in Directors Order 7 (guidelines for the Volunteers-in-Parks program)

Physical Requirements:
● Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time
● Ability to occasionally lift and move up to forty (40) pounds to prepare materials at the start and finish of each shift.

Potential risks may include:
● Slipping or tripping
● Sharp or slippery surfaces
● Potential interactions with unruly visitors
● Uncomfortable outdoor conditions such as heat or cold. On sunny days a shade structure will be available if desired. On days when a heat advisory is in effect, all outdoor programs (including the What’s In Bloom cart) will be canceled or moved indoors. We will let you know as soon as possible if a heat advisory is a forecast.
● If programs take place indoors, volunteers may work in close quarters with park staff and visitors with limited social distancing opportunities and possible exposure to the surface and airborne related viruses, contaminants, and hazardous materials
● If you believe a task is unsafe before or during any event, please stop working and notify the project lead to fix the issue. This is NPS policy as outlined in the Operational Leadership training.

Commitment: A minimum of four hours per month is required to keep your volunteer status active.

Location: Gateway Arch National Park

• Parking for volunteers is at the Kiener West Lot at 604 Pine Street.

• Before each volunteer shift, the volunteer will receive an email telling them where to park that day.

Training and Supervision: New volunteers must attend orientation onsite or virtually. Volunteer supervisors will provide training on the volunteer’s first shift. The training style and methods will vary depending on the position, supervisor, and personal learning styles. Volunteers may be informally shadowed at any time, and formal audits will occur once a year (they can occur more frequently if the volunteer requests it).