Natural Resources Management & Visitor Services Camper Host

Background: A Natural Resources Management & Visitor Services Camper Host - Volunteer will help keep picnic and restroom areas clean and operational around CJ Brown Reservoir as part of their main duties. This is important for days where hired cleaning contractors or off work and weekends when the restrooms and shelters get heavy use. They might also help with invasive species removal depending on desire, expertise, and time left after main duties are finished. Some light trail maintenance can also be accomplished as needed (loppers/pruners). Volunteers will be outside in a variety of areas, including: turfgrass, tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and forests of CJ Brown. Volunteers will get training for any necessary equipment (UTV, hand tools, copier, etc.). Applicants must be able to pass a background check and be willing to wear a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers volunteer uniform (shirt and name tag).

Schedule: 20 hours per week as an individual or 30 hours per week split between a couple, per site. Scheduled days of the week are negotiable. Volunteers may serve the entire recreation season April through October. A campsite is provided in a volunteer exclusive area with water, electricity, and sewer hookups.

Specific duties include:

·        Cleaning the 3 picnic shelters as needed so that they are in fresh operating condition for people with shelter reservations and general day use individuals.(checking for wasp nests, throwing away any left garbage, power washing Canada Goose droppings off concrete, sweeping, removing tape, rearranging tables, etc.)

·        Cleaning the 2 restroom facilities as needed so that they are in fresh operating condition. (sweeping, mopping, wipe down sinks/toilets/urinals/changing tables (as needed), refill scent packets, change trash. Locking them if any functional issues arise.

·        Checking and changing trash bags (as needed) for roughly 40 trash cans across the entire area.

·        Issue FREE options of America The Beautiful passes as needed.

·        Light gardening in four flower beds with native plants to support pollinator conservation. Weeding, watering, and planting of new plants provides new habitats for native pollinators.

·        Check trails for overgrowth, fallen trees, and damage and report issues to Park Rangers.

·        Remove invasive and unwanted species: honeysuckle, autumn olive, teasel, thistle, lesser celandine, garlic mustard, crown vetch, and purple loosestrife.

·        Complete general maintenance. Trim trees and shrubs in the recreation areas. This can also include occasional special projects such as staining benches, pressure washing, and mulching.

·        Collect, process, and plant prairie seed. During the late summer and fall, Park Rangers and volunteers will collect seed from prairies to plant in areas lacking those species.

·        Establish native plants in prairies and wetlands depending on the time of year and weather conditions.

·        Assist with feeding/maintenance of Visitor Center education animals.