Campground Assistant

Located along the beautiful Cumberland Mountains, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park stretches across three states, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, offering a unique and diverse experience. With over 80 miles of hiking trails, historical sites, overlooks, camping, and guided tours, Cumberland Gap provides opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Wilderness Road Campground, located in Lee County, Virginia, is Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's only front-country campground. The campground offers 154 total sites, 41 of those with 20-, 30- and 50-amp hookups. Other amenities include a water filling station, a wastewater dumping station, three heated bath houses, and bear-proof containers on primitive camping sites. All campsites must be reserved through the rec.gov website.

Main Goals for This Position to Accomplish: The main goals of the Campground Assistant are:

·      Help ensure that Wilderness Road Campground remains clean, safe, and welcoming for campers and visitors.

·      Communicate regularly with staff members from multiple park divisions and keep them well-informed regarding any campground needs, visitor concerns, and safety issues.

Brief Description of Work to be Performed: Under the supervision and guidance of park staff:

·      Patrol the campground at least 2 times per shift checking for unlawfully occupied campsites (based on the rec.gov reservation calendar), collecting and disposing of any trash or debris, cleaning grills and fire rings that need attention, and check for down trees or limbs.

·      Hang and pull site reservation placards.

·      Restock maps and information outside of entrance station.

·      Empty the trash as needed from bear proof trash cans.

·      Maintain knowledge of—and keep visitors informed of—campground rules and park policies.

·      Help any campers in need of assistance, answer visitor questions, and report incidents and safety concerns to Law Enforcement when appropriate.

·      Routinely check, clean, and restock campground facilities (i.e. restrooms and bathhouses) and communicate any issues to maintenance staff in a timely manner.

·      As needed: staff the entrance station, sell Eastern National merchandise, and handle the cash register.

·      Assist visitors with the Recreation.gov campsite reservation process.

·      Maintain proper care of park issued equipment, including but not limited to radio, vehicles, Kubota, keys, and ground keeping tools.

·      Assist interpretive staff with park programming, safety talks, and demonstrations as needed.

·      Attend trainings as needed.

·      Rove campground trails for hazards.

·      Other duties as needed.

Length of Commitment: The Campground Assistant is expected to commit to a regular schedule as agreed upon with the Volunteer Coordinator and/or Supervisor. Although the Volunteer Service Agreement is valid for up to one year, the volunteer or the park may terminate service at any time.

Tools, Equipment, and Vehicles to be Operated: A radio, Kubota, campground keys, and any tools, supplies, or equipment needed to perform Campground Host duties (i.e., groundskeeping, housekeeping, light maintenance, and so on) will be provided by the park.

Location Where Work Will Be Performed: Most of the volunteer’s duties will be performed in Wilderness Road Campground, located in Lee County, Virginia. The volunteer will occasionally report to other areas of the park, such as the main visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Qualifications: As a Campground Assistant, you must be willing/able to do the following:

·      Read, understand, and clearly communicate information from a variety of park resources (maps, policies, brochures, and so on) to visitors and campers of various ages and backgrounds.

·      Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

·      Walk or hike moderate distances over both even and uneven terrain.

·      Remain standing or sitting in one location for extended periods of time.

·      Behave in a professional, courteous, and safe manner while representing the National Park Service, especially when in the presence of park visitors.

·      Arrive ON TIME at the proper location for volunteer duties, as agreed upon ahead of time by the Volunteer Coordinator(s) and/or Supervisor(s).

·      Respect the park’s equipment and to use it properly, as demonstrated during training/orientation.

Uniform Requirements: Wearing an official and current volunteer uniform shirt—provided by the park—is required while performing volunteer duties. Closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes are required and must be provided by the volunteer.

Benefits to the Volunteer: Some of the benefits of volunteering as a Campground Assistant with the National Park Service include:

·      Gaining experience supporting park operations and visitor services.

·      Networking with National Park Service staff, partners, and affiliates.

15% discount at the visitor center gift shop.

·      Record of volunteer hours with the National Park Service.

With 250 hours of volunteer service, a volunteer is eligible for an America the Beautiful annual park pass.