Visitor Center Services Volunteer - Doughton Park - Blue Ridge Parkway

The National Park Service is seeking Visitor Center Services volunteers at the Doughton Park Visitor Center located at milepost 241.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The volunteers will staff the visitor center information desk answering questions, providing site and park orientation to visitors, and running the cash register.

Doughton Park encompasses 6300 acres along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Sparta and Laurel Springs, NC in Alleghany and Wilkes Counties. It is known for its fenced open meadows, forested ridges, preserved cultural sites such as Brinegar Cabin, and a variety of recreational areas including trails, picnic spots, a historic restaurant, and campground facilities.

Major Duties

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

• Handle cash and credit card transactions.

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

• Share orientation information about Doughton Park including trails, overlooks, facilities, and safety considerations.

• 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, and offer guidance tailored to visitor ability and time constraints.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Blue Ridge Parkway resources, including Doughton Park trails, facilities, regulations, weather patterns, and nearby services—consistent with the standardized responses used across Parkway visitor information outlets.

• 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 Doughton Park Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 10:00 Am to 5:00 pm until mid November. Volunteers are expected to work 8 hours per week. Park staff is willing to negotiate hours worked a day/week.