Visitor Center Greeter and Nature Store Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to assist in operation of the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center and Nature Store, located in Shirley, NY. If you like interacting with people, both young and old, this is the volunteer position for you!! Volunteer duties include: meet and cheerfully greet visitors; provide area and refuge recreation opportunity information; give orientations to the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System; assist visitors with refuge rules and regulations; concisely explain the refuge entrance fee options; answer telephones; answer visitor questions; respond to visitor correspondences; distribute brochures; and restock brochures. These duties provide volunteers with the opportunity to reach diverse groups of people with a knowledge and appreciation of the environment and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Training Provided: Thorough training in all aspects of visitor center operation is provided to new volunteers. New volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers at first. Knowledge of Long Island is beneficial but not necessary.

Length of Time Volunteers Needed: Both short and long term.

Number of Volunteers Needed: 1-2 each shift.

Would you like the Volunteers to have any special skills, interest, or experience? Volunteers should have good communication skills, an interest in and ability to learn about area history and natural resources and a desire to share knowledge with visiting public and work with others, including children. Experience with public speaking is beneficial, but not necessary. A flexibility to handle variations in routine due to shifting priorities and visitor needs is appreciated. This position will provide a motivated person the opportunity to spread his/her appreciation of the natural world to many refuge visitors.