Visitor Center Services - Volunteer Docent

Time Commitment: 

• Individual volunteers from the local commuting area who are not in need of an RV pad or housing are asked to contribute a minimum of 4 hours per week.  
• Volunteers who are interested in volunteering but are in need of an RV pad or housing must contribute 32 hours per week. See below for more information on housing and RV sites. 

Time Frame: 

• November to April (ability to stay for the duration of the winter is a plus)

Major Duties: 

 Preserve Volunteer Docents and Interpretation Ambassadors serve as front-line representatives in the visitor centers, boardwalks, and special community events. This position requires that the volunteer be able to sit or stand indoors (in climate control) and outdoors (without climate control) while engaging visitors in a friendly and welcoming manner. Volunteers are expected to follow opening and closing procedures and independently operate visitor contact centers information desks. They will assist the cooperating association in collecting credit card only merchandise sales. For outdoor work, volunteers must be able to spend hours outside in hot environments and be able to walk through water, over uneven terrain. In some cases, volunteers will need to have comfort and familiarity with canoes, kayaks and bicycles. They may drive (if they meet standards) or ride in government vehicles. Uniforms and training are provided.

Working Environment:  

 Visitor Center Operations are inside a climate-controlled building. There will be a fair amount of standing in this role. Boardwalk Operations and Adventures take place outside. The temperature can range from 50 to over 100 degrees. Humidity can make the feels like temperature exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Qualifications: Must have enthusiasm!!! Must enjoy working with people of all ages and have a passion for the environment. Knowledge of natural science (or willingness to learn), good communication skills, flexibility, ability to work well as a team member, are things that the Big Cypress Interpretation team values highly. This volunteer position requires wearing a uniform.  

Compensation, Housing and Community: 

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity.  

Full hook up RV pads (water, electric, sewer) are provided in exchange for 32-hours of volunteering per week. RV sites are located within the preserve. Shared laundry facilities are available. Neighbors include other Preserve volunteers and staff as well as staff from the Florida National Parks Association. At Preserve headquarters you will have access to a community pavilion with WiFi, pool and small gym.  

RVs must be fully contained. Full hookups are included. The preserve offers RV Volunteers a free laundry facility and pool at the headquarters building. RV pads for this position will be located at either Dona Drive or behind the Oasis Visitor Center. 

Area: Big Cypress is a remote location with the closest food, stores, restaurants, hospitals and gas approximately 30 minutes away. Volunteers will need access to a vehicle other than the RV. 

Within a 30 to 60-minute drive from RV sites, the volunteer will find many hiking trails and canoe/kayaking opportunities both in the park and outside the park. The area is surrounded by city, county, state, and other federal public lands that provide great opportunities to recreate and enjoy the outdoors. 

Required training or certifications:  

• Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to drive and haul government vehicles 

Whether personal property is required (list items):  

• Must provide own transportation to and from worksite if are a local VIP.