Volunteer Bike Patrol - Cumberland, MD - 2026

The park is recruiting volunteers to join the Bike Patrol in Cumberland, MD. Applicants must be 18 years or older.

The goal of the Volunteer Bike Patrol is to provide visitors with helpful information, maintain good public relations as a representative of the National Park Service, and monitor park resources and visitor usage.

The minimum time commitment for this volunteer opportunity is 40 hours per year.

Responsibilities Include:

●     Serve as a public representative of the NPS & the C&O Canal NHP while biking in the park

●     Greet and welcome visitors using the towpath, and provide them with information on the park’s history, resources, regulations, and safety

●     Alert staff to potential problems and safety hazards on the towpath

●     Relay visitor comments and concerns to park staff

●     May provide first aid and bike maintenance to visitors when needed, in accordance with training

●     May assist with special events and programming

●     Log volunteer hours in a timely manner

●     Follow the park’s policies and guidelines and understand the park’s organizational structure.

Other Requirements:

Volunteer must provide their own bike and helmet. The use of a helmet is required. Excellent communication skills; knowledge of the park and local resources, or the desire to learn; basic bike maintenance skills or willingness to learn; willingness to provide basic first aid, according to certification level; and ability to safely operate a bicycle. CPR/First Aid certification is preferred, but not required.

Physical Effort: Must have the ability to cycle outdoors for a suggested tour of one to four hours at a time.

Working Conditions: Position takes place outdoors, across seasons, and weather conditions can vary. 

Required Training Provided by Park: Training will be scheduled through the position supervisor and involves: (1) orientation training on park history and policies; (2) basic interpretation and customer service training provided by the park; (3) training rides with an experienced Bike Patrol volunteer or staff.