Interpretation and Visitor Services Volunteer - James River

The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles from Waynesboro, Virginia south to Cherokee, North Carolina. The Parkway has been called ‘America’s Favorite Drive’ for its tremendous scenic beauty, access to mountain environments, historical sites, and serves almost like a “hiking trail” for cars. For more details about the Parkway, visit our website at: www.nps.gov/blri.

Position Description:

Join the Parkway’s volunteer staff to provide exceptional visitor experiences while sharing the history of transportation along the James River including the James River and Kanawha Canal system proposed by George Washington back in 1784. Volunteers at the James River Visitor Center (Parkway milepost 63 near Big Island, VA) have the opportunity to inspire thousands of visitors each year, providing valuable information regarding the Parkway’s historical, natural, and recreational resources.

Responsibilities to Include:

• Working to inspire visitors to learn more about and care for the easily overlooked, James River and Kanawha Canal system including the restored lock #7 at Parkway milepost 63.
• Providing critical visitor information, trip planning advice, and customer service at the James River Visitor Center desk working alongside Parkway staff and independently.
• Providing accurate visitor information concerning the natural and cultural history of the Blue Ridge Parkway, recreational and educational opportunities, area attractions, highway directions, and location of area accommodations. Ensures that an adequate supply of free informational literature is available for distribution.
• Assisting in operating the center’s Eastern National bookstore/outlet including daily sales, handling cash, completes daily accounting reports, restocking sales items, inventory/ordering, and maintaining a neat and tidy sales/information area.
• If trained to do so, providing informal interpretation along area trails and at the restored lock.
• If trained to do so, providing vegetation management including limited trail mowing and tree trimming to reveal elements of the old canal and trail.

Skills Needed:

• Volunteers need to be outgoing with great public speaking skills.
• Volunteers must be able to become resource “experts” learning as much as possible about the Blue Ridge Parkway’s natural and cultural resources, with particular emphasis on the James River and Kanawha Canal System, tree species identification, and geology.
• Volunteers must be customer service oriented to consistently provide visitors with friendly, professional, and outstanding service.
• Must have good teamwork skills as well as the ability to work well independently.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

The James River is at the lowest elevation along the Blue Ridge Parkway around 649 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures can exceed 100F with high humidity. Work will be completed inside the air conditioned Visitor Center and outdoors in a variety of hot, humid, windy, and rainy conditions. Environmental hazards include lightning, ticks, biting flies, poison ivy, and snakes.

Requires the ability to stand for long periods of time as well as the ability to walk short distances (up to ¾ mile) over uneven terrain and climb numerous stairs .

Recommended Training:

There are a variety of excellent, and free, courses available to you at Eppley.org

https://provalenslearning.com/interpretation

• Introduction to the National Park Service: The History of the NPS
• Foundations of Interpretation
• How to Prepare an Interpretive Program
• INPS: The NPS and the Federal Government

Each volunteer will receive an orientation to the Blue Ridge Parkway, James River Visitor Center, James River and Kanawha Canal System, National Park Service Interpretation, safety, and other on-the-job topics required to successfully complete this work.

Work Schedule:

The James River Visitor Center will be open May 15 to Nov 1 2020 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Parkway staffing is limited to 5 days per week (Wed to Sun) and we are looking for outgoing individuals (and/or couples) who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to augment the Parkway staff in order to operate the facility and provide interpretive services in the area working Fri to Tue 8:45AM to 5:15PM usually.

Volunteer shifts are flexible to accommodate most schedules, with emphasis on Sat/Mon/Tue work when Parkway interpreters are off duty.  This position requires a minimum of 32 hours per week per individual in exchange for RV site use.

Volunteer assistance is needed throughout the summer season from May 4th to November 1, 2020, especially at the beginning of the season (late April through May) and in October, our busiest month during fall leaf color.

Uniform:

A NPS Volunteer shirt, name tag, and hat are provided. Applicant will be responsible for obtaining khaki or dark brown volunteer pants and boots. Volunteers are required to wear the complete and proper uniform during work shifts.

To Apply:

A background investigation, including fingerprinting, must be conducted per Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 and the Department of Interior Regulations. The cost of the background check is paid by the park. This must be initiated at least three months prior to arrival if you have never applied or completed a background investigation with the National Park Service. Currently volunteers must have an approved/cleared Background Investigation thru the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Interior (PIV CARD) in order to volunteer.

Contact Park Ranger Peter Hamel at (828) 348-3528 or by email at [email protected] if you are interested in joining the Blue Ridge Parkway Volunteer Staff or if you need more information about this volunteer opportunity.

Volunteer Activities:

• Tour Guide/Interpretation
• Visitor Information
• Historical Preservation
• General Assistance
• Conservation

Living Arrangements:

An RV pad with water/sewer/electric hook ups is available in the nearby Otter Creek Campground at milepost 60. While the housing is located 3 miles away from the duty station, it is a relatively quick easy drive, flat bike ride, or beautiful hike along Otter Creek to get to the James River Visitor Center from the RV pad.

NOTE: Otter Creek Campground has no cell service reception for phone/internet and the nearest service may be several miles away. Verizon signal is available at the James River Visitor Center 3 miles south.

The nearby communities of Lynchburg, Bedford, Big Island, and Lexington Virginia offer a wide range of services including urban housing, groceries, restaurants, entertainment, health care, vehicle repairs, libraries, and more within 30 min to an hour’s drive.

Must have a form of transportation to commute for work and recreation.