Goat Barn Volunteer

Position Title: Barn Volunteer

Uniform Required – YES

Provided by park:

o  Tan button front shirt (1 per year, choice of long or short sleeve)

o  Tan hat

o  Nametag (can be updated with hours of service upon request)

Provided by volunteer:

o  Tan pants (thrift stores are a good source for tan pants)

o  Sturdy closed-toe shoes

Main Goals for This Position to Accomplish:

·       Maintain the Connemara Farm’s goat herd, chickens, and cats.

·       Welcome visitors to the goat farm.

·       Honorably represent the National Park Service.

Description of Work to be Performed:

·       Assists the Park Ranger in a variety of projects such as:

o  Feed and water goats and other animals according to schedule.

o  Monitor animals for injury or illness and assist with medical care and treatment as needed.

o  Clean barns and surrounding areas.

o  Milk goats as needed.

o  Assist with kidding as needed.

·       Create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors by:

o  Introducing visitors to the farm area.

o  Articulating the history of the Sandburg’s involvement with goats.

o  Providing instructions for interacting with the goats.

Scope of Visitor Contacts:

·       Talk with visitors, answer questions and direct visitors to alternative sources of information.

·       Permit visitors to pet the goats and cats, being careful that the visitors do not harm the animals or that the animals do not harm the visitors.

·       Enforce Park policies regarding resource protection and preservation, reporting any concerns or specific incidents as they occur. Monitor visitors for potential safety concerns.

·       Give interpretive guided tours of barn area and conduct short talks with groups according to desire and ability.

·       Monitor the main gate when necessary and take count of the visitors in the barnyard or pasture at one time.

Physical Requirements of Work:

·       Wear a volunteer uniform while performing duties.

·       Standing for up to 4 hours at a time; walking and lifting up to 30 lbs.

·       Work under adverse weather conditions, including rain, excessive heat and cold.

Qualifications:

·       Familiarity with farm animals or farm operations. (This knowledge may be obtained through NPS training.)

·       Ability to be flexible in a work environment that changes often.

·       Ability to work independently and in cooperation with other volunteers and rangers.

·       Ability to interact with all types of people and maintain a professional appearance and manner.

·       Willingness to adhere to prescribed schedules for feeding, treatment, etc. and willingness to adhere to park policy as it relates to resource protection and preservation.

·       Ability to adhere to a prescribed schedule of work and to report to work in a timely manner.

·       Ability to conduct personal research using interpretive materials regularly used at the park to gain an understanding of the park and its resources. Research may include books, pamphlets and exhibits as well as ranger programs, house tours, etc.

Length of Commitment:

·       Daily shifts are four hours in length, or two hours when Winter Hours are in effect. Shifts are available seven days/week.     

·       If you are unable to fill a shift, you will be responsible for finding your own replacement. Volunteers have access to contact information for fill-ins.

·       If you miss more than 2 months of shifts, your volunteer position will be terminated, including your schedule. Due to the daily needs of barn operations, we are unable to hold shifts open for long periods of time. You are welcome to reapply when your schedule allows.

Supervisory Controls:

·       The volunteer will work under the guidance of the park staff and interns assigned to the barn.