Visitor Assistant/Interpretation (Full-Time)

Description

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is looking for motivated, enthusiastic volunteers to share their passion for history with visitors from around the world. The park is located in the Texas Hill Country, which is also known as the Edwards Plateau Ecological Region of Texas. This ecoregion includes a wide range of plant and animal communities, making it one of the most biologically diverse regions in the nation. The park’s headquarters is located in Johnson City, approximately 45 miles west of Austin, and 50 miles north of San Antonio. The LBJ Ranch, a separate district containing the Texas White House and a working cattle ranch is located fourteen miles from headquarters, near Stonewall. The park encompasses sites and histories that span the past 150 years, with a special emphasis on the 1960s during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. Learn more online and visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

Duties

Interpretive park rangers and volunteers are essential to the National Park Service’s mission to preserve America’s most significant cultural and natural resources. Interpreters help visitors discover the meaning and significance associated with park resources. By volunteering as an interpreter you will:

 Provide information about the park and surrounding area.

 Assist visitors with planning their visit to the park sites.

Conduct interpretive tours of the boyhood home of President Johnson in Johnson

City and/or tours of the Texas White House complex near Stonewall.

 Learn about Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency and the park’s resources.

Operate a cash register on behalf of Western National Parks Association.

 Position requires standing times of thirty minutes to an hour conducting thirty

 minute guided tours through two different homes.

Desired Skills

 A welcoming and professional demeanor.

 Enjoys working with the public and can patiently answer repetitive questions.

 The ability to communicate effectively with the public.

 Works well both as a team member and independently, once trained.

 Has an interest in history.

Requirements

 A background investigation must be conducted per Homeland Security Presidential            Directive 12 and the Department of Interior Regulations. The cost of the background check and fingerprinting is paid by the park. This must be iniated at least three months prior to arrival if you have never applied or completed a background investigation with the National Park Service. If you have an approved Background Investigation thru the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Interior (PIV CARD) from previous parks this allows a quicker entry to volunteering with the Park.

 Volunteers desiring housing (RV Pads) must work a minimum of 32 hours per week, for at        least three months or longer.

Benefits to Volunteers

 Orientation to the park, training in interpretation, and volunteer uniforms are provided.

 Learn more about the Texas Hill Country, the National Park Service, and the Johnson Presidency from qualified NPS Staff.

 Practice public speaking and have opportunities to research and develop your own        programs. Meet visitors from around the world and welcome them to the Hill Country

 Join a fun and dedicated team of NPS staff.

Living Arrangements

The park has a total of ten RV pads at two different sites (Johnson City/Stonewall) with full hookups, 30/50 AMP, and a washer and dryer.  Summer temperatures can reach into the  100s, though the average summer temperature is 92 degrees. The winter temperatures range from mid twenties to thirties in the night to fifties and sixties in the day. (Dec, Jan, Feb) Please check for availability.

Use of RV Pad will require a minimum of 3-month commitment and a minimum of 32 hours per week for a single occupancy and 32 hours each for couple occupancy, including weekends and holidays. We offer a four days on three days off fixed schedule.

Pets are welcome (trained, obedient, and people friendly) but could be left alone for at least eight hours in the course of a day, due to the location of RV pads in relation to work assignments. Also pets must remain leashed at all times when located on the parks.

Must have a form of transportation to commute to duty for either park. The park pays for propane usage during volunteer's stay. They must arrive with a full tank. Propane bottles are refuled in Johnson City.There is no service available for internal tank refueling to the two sites.

Mail

Personal mail cannot be delivered to the Park. The local Post Office does have General mail delivery at no cost, or you can rent a PO Box. Items thru UPS or FEDEX can be sent but at a minimum.

Questions?

Contact the volunteer coordinator Terry Sentell at 830-868-7128 x231 / [email protected]