Paterson Great Falls Interpretation VIP (volunteers in the park)

Orientation table 

• Staff the orientation table and serve as a first point of contact for visitors.

• Distribute Park brochures and informational materials.

• Assist children and families with Junior Ranger activity books and award completed Junior Ranger badges.

• Help visitors collect park passport stamps.

• Provide Bark Ranger tags to visitors with dogs and explain the program if needed.

• Answer general questions about the park, amenities, and programs.

• Offer friendly customer service and direct visitors to resources, staff, or areas of interest.

• Maintain an organized, welcoming, and fully stocked orientation table.

• Participate in required training on park history and commonly asked questions.

Rove

• Walk throughout the park to observe and monitor conditions, noting any issues or concerns.

• Report safety hazards, maintenance needs, or unusual conditions to park staff.

• Engage with visitors by answering commonly asked questions and offering basic park information.

• Provide wayfinding assistance and help connect visitors to the park’s cultural, natural, and historical stories.

• Maintain a positive, approachable presence that reflects the values of the National Park Service.

• Wear park-provided volunteer shirts, PPE, and follow all training guidelines.

Qualifications:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, enjoy people, and possess a desire to share their knowledge and educate others. Volunteers must be comfortable speaking to small groups and on-on-one, as general public tours and privately scheduled tours vary in size. Volunteers must answer repetitive questions about the park and its resources in a caring and professional manner. Volunteers must have an interest in the park and its resources and try to continually increase their knowledge of the same. Tour Guides must have already served in the Volunteer in Parks role, as that position requires the understanding, and communication skills necessary to understand the resources of the park and articulate them to the public.

Interpretive programs (e.g., tours, demonstrations) are organized, thematic, and attempt to follow guidelines for interpretation as outlined in the NPS Interpretive Development Program (IDP) and covered in training offered at the park. Messages are balanced and educational, objectively portraying philosophies of park management and concerned special interests. Programs incorporate universal concepts and recognize multiple points of view. Safety and resource messages are included in activities. Tour Guides must be able to follow the schematic of the tours, as to articulate the information that the IDP structures.

The National Park Service will provide workspace and uniform items as available. A volunteer patch and nametag supplied by the park will be worn while on duty. Brown, tan, or beige pants in a complementary color will be supplied by the volunteer and worn with the volunteer shirt. For non-visitor contact duties or duties that may soil the uniform, the volunteer may be granted permission to wear other than the standard uniform on a case-by-case basis. Volunteers need to wear the uniform while in public contact. General grooming and clothing need to reflect a professional clean and neat appearance when representing the park.

Health Requirements:

Volunteers must be able to travel over rugged terrain on foot. They must also be able to perform tasks that require frequent bending and straightening from the waist, kneeling and standing, and potentially lifting objects that weigh up to 15 pounds. They must be able to stand on their feet for durations of time more than two hours long. The volunteer must be able to talk for the whole time they are performing the service. They must be able to use fine motor skills to pick up brochures and must be able to hold items in their hands for long periods of time. Volunteers must be able to understand and read/listen to the tour script outline and must have a clear understanding of the resources they are talking about.

Volunteers must complete self-assessments annually to make sure they are able to complete the designated tasks. The supervisor must be informed at the start of an assignment if there are any changes in a volunteer’s self-certification or -assessment. 

Goals:

Provide a meaningful and educational experience for visitors, helping them understand the significance of Paterson Great Falls’ history, along with other park themes. Assist park staff by providing efficient, courteous and helpful information and services to park visitors via our tours. Visitor and staff safety is a primary concern. 

Time Commitment:

Needs can change depending on the park’s busy season. We have two tours. The 2pm tour runs continuously all year round, and the 11am tour is staff dependent. There are also privately scheduled tours that occur in the morning as well, and staff would notify the volunteer to ask if they are able to assist with the tour. The tours last between 45 minutes to an hour. Volunteers should let the volunteer coordinator know at least a week in advance what day they want to come in, which shift, and the nature of their shift (tabling, maintenance, program, etc.). Volunteers would need to call the park should illness or other unexpected happening cause a change to the work schedule as soon as they know they can’t come in for a shift. 

Work Environment:

Volunteers will have contact with the public, and park staff. Standing for long periods of time, walking, and sedentary work is required. The terrain where the activities are held may be rugged and uneven. Volunteers may work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including hot & sunny days, stormy weather, rain, cold, etc. There is potential for excessive exposure to sun, so the VIP must take precautions. There is a potential for becoming dehydrated or overheated, so the VIP should carry plenty of water and drink regularly while working outdoors at the park. Please use common sense, take every precaution, and keep yourself safe. If in doubt, please check with park staff. Please read VIP Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) form for safety information