Visitor Center Services Volunteer - Rocky Knob- Blue Ridge Parkway

The National Park Service is seeking Visitor Center Services Volunteers at the Rocky Knob Visitor Center located at milepost 189 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The volunteers will staff the visitor center information desk answering questions and providing site and park orientation to visitors.

Rocky Knob is a high‑elevation recreation area on the Blue Ridge Parkway known for its sweeping mountain views, quiet forests, and access to Rock Castle Gorge, a rugged, scenic valley once home to a small mountain community. The area includes a visitor center, campground, and several trails, offering visitors a chance to explore both natural beauty and cultural history. Interpretive themes for the site highlight traditional agricultural landscapes, the story of the former Rock Castle Gorge community, regional crafts and skills, and the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Parkway development. Rocky Knob Campground and nearby backcountry sites provide additional opportunities for recreation in this peaceful part of the Parkway.

Major Duties

• Operate the point-of-sale system accurately during sales of merchandise.

• Handle cash, credit card transactions.

• Greet all visitors warmly and provide friendly, proactive assistance.

• Share orientation information about Rocky Knob, including trails, overlooks, facilities, and safety considerations—consistent with duties expected at high-contact sites in the Plateau District such as Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill.

• Answer visitor questions about the Blue Ridge Parkway, its natural and cultural resources, weather, road conditions, and nearby points of interest.

• Provide directions, suggest appropriate hikes (including Rock Castle Gorge), and offer guidance tailored to visitor ability and time constraints.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Blue Ridge Parkway resources, including Rocky Knob trails, Rock Castle Gorge, facilities, regulations, weather patterns, and nearby services—consistent with the standardized responses used across Parkway visitor information.

• Customer service and public communication skills, including greeting visitors, answering questions clearly, and adapting explanations to different experience levels.

• Ability to learn and recall park information, including closures, detours, weather advisories, and safety messaging.

Time Commitment

The Rocky Knob Visitor Center is open Friday – Monday from 10:00 Am to 5:00 pm. Volunteer is expected to work 8 hours per week. Park staff is willing to negotiate hours worked a day/week.