Visitor Center Volunteer Docent

Description: Visitor Center Docents are front-line representatives of Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. Harkers Island Visitor Center is the gateway to the Outer Banks and Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Each year, the Vistor Center sees over 40,000 visitors. The Visitor Center features a large minke whale skeleton, information on dark sky parks, history of historical villages within the park, a movie theatre, and the park store. Volunteers will answer questions about the park, hand out information and Junior Ranger books, and assist with special projects. Applicants must be able to work behind a desk and be willing to wear a Cape Lookout National Seashore volunteer uniform (shirt and name tag). 

Schedule: To qualify for an RV spot, Volunteers must work a minimum of 32 hours per week. From mid-December to early March, the Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday. From mid-March to early December, the Visitor Center is open 7 days a week. The Visitor Centers hours ate from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Volunteers will be required to work 8 hours, with a 30-minute lunch break and 2 15 –minute breaks. We are seeking coverage for every day of the week. Volunteers may serve multiple months from January to December. Volunteering over the winter season at Cape Lookout National Seashore is often quiet, with minimal visitation from December 1st-March 1st. Volunteers should be comfortable with a quiet, slower-paced environment during these months. 

Specific duties include 

• Staff the front desk by greeting Visitors, answering questions, giving directions, and restocking the brochure rack. The visitor center is where the ferry leaves from to go Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Many visitors come in before their ferry ride. 

• Present weather concerns such as riptide warning and heat advisories. 

• Monitor and stock informational materials, brochures, and Junior Ranger Books. 

• Assist with maintenance of Visitor Center (vacuuming, wiping down facility, keeping windows cleaned) 

• Assist with special events and programming (i.e. Junior Ranger Day, Astronomy Nights, Farmers Markets, community gatherings etc.). 

Requirements: 

 • Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. 

• On-site orientation, training, and a uniform will be provided and required to wear while on-duty. 

• RV must be self-contained. Shower and bathroom facilities are not available in our Volunteer RV campground. The Volunteer RV area is in a communal area which is only accessible to staff and other volunteers. The location is directly adjacent to a waterfront area and on the edge of our walking trail. RV sites have 20-, 30- and 50-amp outlets. Our RV spots are capable of housing Class As, Fifth wheels, and other larger RVs. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment 

Standing for long periods of time, walking, bending, lifting of moderately heavy items, and sedentary work is required. Work is performed outdoors and indoors in both a visitor center and office setting. Trips to park field locations or local travel may be required. While outdoors, the volunteer may be subject to working in adverse weather conditions, uneven terrain, lifting heavy objects, and biting insects. 

Personal Contacts 

The volunteer has daily contacts with the visiting public, other volunteers, park staff, researchers, and concessions staff. These people represent a cross section of the nation and of other countries of the world. Visitors are of all ages, and from all social, ethnic, and economic groups. The volunteer has contact with park visitors for the purpose of providing information about area facilities, services, activities and recreational opportunities. Public contacts occasionally include dealing with visitor complaints and conflicts, although these are typically referred to the supervisor. 

Seeking volunteers for October 29th, 2026, through February 28th, 2027. Volunteers are limited to 4 months.