Visitor Services Couples

Visitor Services Volunteer Couple

San Juan Island National Historical Park is seeking enthusiastic volunteer couples to join our team and help serve visitors. This is an opportunity to live and work on beautiful San Juan Island while helping visitors discover the history, stories, and natural beauty of this unique national park.

We are seeking several couples to provide visitor services at American Camp, English Camp, and the park's new welcome center in Friday Harbor. Volunteers should expect to work at multiple locations throughout their assignment, and commuting between park sites will be required. For example, volunteers stationed primarily at American Camp may be required to commute to English Camp or Friday Harbor at least two days per week.

The English Camp contact station is an outdoor pop-up tent and table. Volunteers assigned to this location must be comfortable setting up and taking down the tent and table and working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Position Details

Role: Visitor Services Volunteer Couples 

Duration: May 1 – September 7 

Schedule: 32 hours per week (four 8-hour shifts, including weekends) 

Location: San Juan Island, Washington

What You'll Do

• Welcome and orient visitors at American Camp Visitor Center, English Camp, and the Friday Harbor Welcome Center.
• Answer questions and provide information about park features, trails, facilities, and recreational opportunities.
• Learn and share information about:
• The Pig War, including the lives and daily routines of American and British soldiers stationed on the island.
• Coast Salish peoples, cultures, and histories of the Pacific Northwest.
• Pioneer and settler history of the region during the 1800s.
• Pacific Northwest flora, fauna, geology, and natural resources.
• Assist with retail operations and cash-register sales.
• Support visitor-center operations, including opening, closing, and general cleaning.
• Hike park trails and rove visitor-use areas to engage with visitors away from visitor centers.
• Operate a wildlife-viewing station using NPS equipment.
• Set up and operate the outdoor contact station at English Camp when assigned.
• Perform all duties in a professional, respectful, and safety-conscious manner.

Qualifications

• Experience interacting professionally with the public.
• Ability and willingness to learn and accurately communicate park-specific information.
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers and staff and contribute to a healthy work environment.
• Comfortable operating a cash register and processing sales.
• Punctual, dependable, and able to follow established procedures.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for interacting with visitors.
• Ability to work independently at visitor-contact locations.
• Ability to drive between park locations as needed.
• Ability to set up and take down a pop-up tent and table.
• Communication, cooperation, respect, and professionalism are essential. Volunteers will spend significant time working and living near other volunteers and staff.

Working Environment

This position combines indoor visitor-center operations with outdoor visitor engagement. 

• Approximately 50% of the position is performed inside visitor centers, primarily at the front desk.
• Approximately 50% is spent outdoors, hiking trails and engaging with visitors away from visitor centers.
• English Camp assignments are conducted at an outdoor pop-up contact station.
• Outdoor work may involve sun, wind, rain, cold, and changing weather conditions.
• Volunteers are expected to perform both front-desk and trail-roving duties.
• Volunteers are expected to contribute to a safe, positive, and respectful workplace. The NPS has zero tolerance for hostile behavior.
• Comprehensive training and appropriate safety guidance will be provided.

What We Provide

• Comprehensive orientation and training, with approximately 50% completed virtually before arrival.
• RV campsite with full hookups, including electricity, water, sewage, and Wi-Fi.
• Park housing may be available at a reduced rental rate.
• A supportive team environment in a beautiful national park setting.

Housing and Amenities

• RV Sites: Sites include full hookups and accommodate RVs up to 32 feet. Cell coverage within the park is limited; T-Mobile generally provides the best service.
• Park Housing: Housing may be available at a reduced rental rate and consists of a lightly furnished one- to two-bedroom apartment. If housing is needed, please indicate this on your application. 
• Friday Harbor: The town provides access to shopping, gas, groceries, a laundromat, restaurants, and entertainment. 

Uniform Requirements

• Volunteers must wear an official NPS volunteer uniform and name tag while on duty.

Volunteer Couple Assignments

This opportunity is intended for couples who wish to volunteer and live on San Juan Island together. Both members of the couple should be prepared to participate fully in the Visitor Services Volunteer program and meet the expectations of the position.

Applicants should understand that this is a full, active visitor-services position requiring regular public interaction, outdoor work, weekend and holiday availability, and travel between park locations.