6O: Campground Host

Welcome to the Olympic National Forest located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. This diverse landscape encompasses the varied landscape of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula from lush rain forests to deep canyons to high mountain ridges to ocean beaches. The Forest offers diverse recreation opportunities for everyone including close proximity to Olympic National Park. Experience the sounds of rushing rivers, lush rain forests, alpine wildflowers, and views of the Puget Sound from mountain peaks. Five Wilderness areas offer solitude and a chance to experience the rich biodiversity the Olympic Peninsula is known for.  

The Olympic National Forest covers over 632,000 acres on the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of Washington State. The Forest is divided into two Ranger Districts with the Pacific Ranger District offices located in Forks and Quinault, Washington and covering the land on the west side of the Peninsula.  The Hood Canal District Ranger District is located on the east side of the Peninsula, along Hood Canal, with the District Office in Quilcene, Washington. The Hood Canal Ranger District is recruiting a Camp Host (Host) for Big Creek Campground and the Pacific Ranger District is looking to fill host positions for Willaby Campground, Falls Creek Campground, and Klahowya Campground. Specific campground settings can be viewed via the following links:

Hood Canal Ranger District:

• Big Creek Campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=47789&actid=29

Pacific Ranger District:

• Klahowya Campground https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=47709&actid=29

• Willaby Creek Campground https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=47781&actid=29

• Falls Creek Campground https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=47745&actid=29

As a Host, you will likely be the first Forest representative our visitors will encounter and the first person they will contact for information regarding the area. Volunteer Hosts are an integral part of the Forest’s recreation program and are critical in achieving the Forest Service mission of “Caring for the Land and Serving the People.” Therefore, we are seeking individuals who will represent the Olympic National Forest in a professional and courteous manner. 

Depending on the Campground, the Host positions will be available from the beginning of May to October 1. Hosts will be expected to work five days a week with two consecutive days off per week. Longer breaks may be considered as long as they are coordinated with the District Recreation Manager. The Length of the season is subject to weather and occupancy. Hosts may be let go as early as Labor Day or as late as Columbus Day. Hosts are requested to be available for public interaction the majority of the day and expected to make full campground rounds early in the morning and evening. Hosts are not expected to contact visitors after daylight hours, be on site on the scheduled days off, or to participate in law enforcement activities.

 Excellent volunteer candidates for these positions will have the following strengths:

• Outgoing personality with strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to perform light maintenance work in outdoor conditions
• Ability to interact with diverse visitors while maintaining a positive, helpful and non-confrontational attitude

Host Duties will include the following:

• Welcoming visitors and providing appropriate Forest information
• Providing visitor information including: recreational opportunities, rules and regulations
• Encouraging fee compliance and Courtesy Rule adherence
• Maintaining the campground and picnic site to standard
• Tracking daily arrivals and posting incoming reservations
• Performing light landscape and bathroom maintenance.
• Trash and fire pit cleanup throughout the campground
• Reporting emergencies and providing District Recreation staff with pertinent information
• Setting a positive camping example for other forest visitors, keeping a clean, presentable and welcoming campsite and encouraging common courtesy throughout the campground.

Requirements of the opportunity

• Possess a valid state driver’s license.
• Volunteer 4-6 hours a day / 20-30 hours weekly and be available other times for public interactions
• Provide your own personal RV accommodations, maintained to be welcoming and approachable by the public.

Local Recreation Staff will provide full training and support in duties. Hosts perform daily responsibilities independently without direct supervision. Forest Recreation employees will make near daily contact to provide support, heavy maintenance and regulatory compliance. The majority of Host's sites have minimal services. Some may have electricity, some may have water, and some have waste holding tanks.

Volunteer recognition and reimbursement

With minimal site services available, the Olympic National Forest reimburses volunteer Hosts $35 daily for “on duty” days on the Pacific Ranger District and $30 daily for the Hood Canal Ranger District. This reimbursement is intended to cover out-of-pocket expenses related to transportation, subsistence, propane and generator fuel that are necessary, reasonable, and arise as a result of voluntary service. To receive this reimbursement, Hosts must be US citizens or international volunteers holding J-1, F-1, or B-1 visas. 

In addition to reimbursement, hosts will be provided a complimentary campsite for the season and personal protective equipment for assigned duties. Hosts who complete a full season in good standing will receive an Interagency Volunteer Pass, valid 12 months from the date of issue. This pass grants the holder / signee and up to three accompanying adults access to Federal Recreation sites, including BLM, FWS, NPS and USFS sites that charge standard entrance fees (overnight camping excluded). Campsite amenities vary, please contact the District representatives for details.

Becoming a volunteer Host in Forest’s campgrounds can be competitive, and these positions may fill quickly.  Please be ready to provide a brief resume and references. We anticipate making selections before April 1, 2019, but feel free to check availability after this date as well.