Drop-In Day of Service

Our Opportunity:

Drop-in Day of Service Volunteers supports Gateway Arch National Park by keeping the landscape around the park clean and vibrant. Their primary tasks are to pick up litter around the grounds or riverfront; clean wayside exhibits, signs, and other outdoor fixtures; remove graffiti; and help maintain garden beds. Volunteers can serve only the first half of the day if desired, provided that their volunteer supervisor is aware and submits the correct hours worked by each volunteer to the GAPF and NPS Volunteer Managers.

How does this position make an impact?

Gateway Arch National Park hosts thousands of visitors every day during the busy summer tourist season. Though most of these visitors follow the rules of the park, there are still inevitably messes that need to be cleaned up. The flexibility of the drop-in day of service position allows grounds staff to get a lot of hands-on emergent maintenance needs.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This opportunity is open to volunteers 18 or older (though younger applicants with parent/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. Volunteers will be required to sign off that they have read the handbook and agree to its contents before beginning their day of service.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to stay on task until the job is complete

• Enthusiasm, friendliness, and a positive attitude

• Respect for confidentiality of Gateway Arch National Park’s volunteers, partners, members, and donors

• Willingness to take initiative and voice ideas

Physical Requirements:

Most tasks will be moderately physically taxing, including walking, bending, pulling, lifting, and using hand tools. We may be able to offer accommodations or alternate assignments to volunteers who cannot do this work. It is important for prospective volunteers to be honest about their physical limitations so volunteer management can offer them a suitable assignment.

Commitment:

This opportunity requires only a one-day commitment. There is no expectation to volunteer longer than one day, though if desired an individual volunteer could sign up for more than one day of service.

Location:

Day of Service volunteers will meet their volunteer supervisor outside the visitor center entrance promptly at 8am. Volunteers who report late may be allowed to work or may be sent home at the discretion of the Volunteer Supervisor. Once volunteers are checked in, work may take place anywhere throughout the park. In case of heat advisory or thunderstorms, Day of Service events will be cancelled.

Training and Supervision:

Training will be conducted by NPS volunteer supervisors and will vary depending on the tasks for the day. Their daily work tasks should not involve hazardous duties unless staff provide training commensurate with that offered to employees. Assignments can be self-supervising as long as the assigned Volunteer Supervisor is working in the area and can check on the progress/safety of volunteers regularly.

Volunteer Perks:

• Contribute to Gateway Arch National Park

• Annual volunteer recognition event

• Free parking if needed during volunteer hours

• Valuable career experience

• Have fun interacting with rangers and visitors from all over the world