Snowy Plover Docent

Overview
Assist park management in balancing wildlife protection and visitor recreation, specifically by helping to protect threatened Western Snowy Plovers from disturbance during the nesting season and creating awareness among park visitors on the beach and at trailheads.

Duties

• Collaboratively or independently staff a trailhead information table at the North Beach, Kehoe Beach or Abbott’s Lagoon
• Rove the beach within the plover breeding habitat independently or with another docent for the purpose of making contacts with visitors
• Staff a snowy plover viewing area with a spotting scope or rove the beach at Abbott’s Lagoon with the Snowy Plover Docent Program Manager or Plover Monitoring Biologists
• Educate visitors about the natural history, plight, and protection of the snowy plovers
• Inform dog owners about beach restrictions and provide information on areas open to dogs, when necessary
• Use a two-way radio to communicate with the Snowy Plover Docent Program Manager and law-enforcement rangers when necessary
• Provide general park information and assistance to visitors
• Use interpretive materials to help communicate information
• Professionally represent the National Park Service by wearing an identifying docent vest and interact with visitors in a friendly, courteous, tactful, and helpful manner

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired
Snowy Plover Docents must possess very good oral communication skills with a diversity of people, be able to work independently, and be non-confrontational. Docents must also be able to spend a majority of the time standing, walking, and/or hiking; tolerate wind, fog, cold, and blowing sand; and be comfortable around people and dogs. Knowledge of the park and teaching experience is helpful.

Schedule and Time Commitment
Workdays are scheduled for 7 hours from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Docents are expected to work at least once a month between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Training
Training is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, at Bear Valley in addition to on-the-job training.

Benefits to the Volunteer
Snowy Plover Docents gain personal enrichment and experience working in a national park setting as well as training and education about the snowy plovers and related park resources. Docents enjoy the satisfaction in helping to protect threatened nesting Western Snowy Plovers in addition to communicating with and helping park visitors while representing the National Park Service.

Group Type
Individuals are encouraged to participate.

Minimum Age
Minimum age is 18.

Accommodations
Housing and camping/RV sites are unavailable.

Application and Contact Information
Please apply using the link below. For more information, contact Matthew Lau at 415-464-5223 or [email protected].