We've volunteered at a National Park as campground hosts, a Texas state park as campground hosts and a COE site as day-use area cleanup. Going to make a USFS Visitor Information Station this summer.
But we know that the duties at one National Park might be different from another National Park.
There are two basic divisions in many larger parks - Interpretation and Law Enforcement.
Interpretation is things like Visitor Centers, assisting rangers with presentations, tours, etc.
Some agencies, especially National Parks, put Campground Hosts under Law Enforcement. We were expected to meet all arriving campers, inform them of fees and how to use the iron ranger payment system, basic rules. We were expected to deal with minor issues, escalating from a friendly reminder to a written notice to calling for an LE ranger.
Some agencies, like COE, didn't want us to answer any questions about rules. If we observed behavior against the rules, leave the area and call for a FTE ranger.
The reason I say this is you need to make your exact duties very clear before you arrive. Don't be afraid to ask questions, or turn the position down if it sounds like something you are not comfortable doing.
99+% if the people you meet will be wonderful and a joy to work with. We enjoy helping people get the most out of their very short visit.
Another thing to get specific about is the exact duties they want you to do, the exact number of hours they expect you to work, or to be on duty.
Campground hosts can be on duty for 24 hours a day for three or four straight days, then three or four days off if you have a co-host. Or you could get a single host CG with a Wed-Sun schedule with only Mon-Tue off. You could get credit for 6 hours a day, though you have to make morning rounds at 7 am, and evening rounds at 10 pm.
We once did 13 straight days on duty at a NP campground because our co-host had departed, and the replacement had not arrived. We didn't mind because the rangers were very appreciative of how much work we were doing. They encouraged us to take off in the middle of the day to go into town, or take an evening off. They would cover for us.
A large park often means you, and your co-host, are on your own. You may have little interaction with the full-time staff. A small park might mean you get invited to kids birthday parties or church or evening cookouts.
Every job is different, be sure to ask questions.
Almost always you are going to need to be out talking to people, picking up litter, checking on camp fires, cleaning out charcoal grills for more hours than the posted minimum. How you are treated makes all the difference.
Nothing is worse for you or the agency for you to show up and find out the job isn't what you expected.
Full-Time 2014 - ????
โNot all who wander are lost.โ
"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."
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