Roving Park Host for the James River Park System

Brief Organizational Description: 
The James River Park System is located in the heart of Richmond and offers over 650 acres of wild green space, featuring James River access, beautiful trails, diverse wildlife and native flora, and endless opportunities to explore wild places. 

Volunteer Position Description and Purpose:
Do you have a love for the James River Park System and helping others feel the same? JRPS is seeking volunteers to serve as Roving Park Hosts, to share resources with park visitors, answer questions about park features and amenities, and help visitors hit the trails with all of the information they need to enjoy our parks. 

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:
Roving Park Hosts are volunteers who walk, run or bike on trails throughout JRPS, providing resources, answering questions, and inspiring a love of nature for visitors of the parks. Shifts offered for Saturdays. Volunteer shifts will be from 10:00am-12:00pm, 12:00pm-2:00pm, and 2:00pm-4:00pm. Roving Park Hosts will be supplied with bookbags with all necessary resources, such as trail and river safety maps, basic first aid supplies, binoculars, and other resources, and are welcome to enjoy the trails and assist visitors as local resource experts. Throughout volunteer shifts, hosts will also provide an invaluable service for park rangers, by identifying any issues needing addressing, such as trash overflows, grafitti, or downed trees and hazards. If you consider yourself an avid nature lover, and love spending Saturdays throughout JRPS,  this is a great opportunity to share that passion and be a resource for people new to the park!

Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Anyone with a passion for ecology, park history, river safety, and park interpretation. The opportunity involves walking, hiking, or biking throughout the shift. 

Time Commitment:
Volunteers must sign up for at least (1) 2-hour shift, and are welcome to stay for as many shifts as they would like. 

Other Information (if applicable):

• Prior to volunteering, a JRPS park ranger will schedule an informal training at Reedy Creek, where you will learn more about the opportunity and be provided with all of the resources you need. As your volunteer shift proceeds, a ranger will be readily available to assist and will check-in periodically to provide support. 
• Clothing appropriate for the outdoors, whether you are on foot or on bike.
• Parking will be available in the Reedy Creek headquarters parking lot
• Any food or snacks, weather appropriate clothing. JRPS staff will be able to provide you with all other tools and resources required for the opportunity, as well as water.