Volunteer Park Ranger - Interpretation (Late Winter)

Crater Lake National Park is seeking volunteers to operate our visitor center and lead guided snowshoe walks. This is an opportunity to live, work, and play in a winter wonderland on the slopes of a sleeping volcano.

PARK PROFILE

Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest lake in the USA. Fed by rain and snow, the lake is 1,943 feet deep and is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. It rests inside a 6-mile-wide caldera, formed 7,700 years ago when a 12,000-foot-tall volcano collapsed following a major eruption. Later eruptions formed Wizard Island, a cinder cone near the southwest shore. Today, old-growth forests blanket the volcano’s outer slopes, harboring 700 native plant species and 72 types of mammals. The park is central to the cultural traditions of several American Indian tribes, whose ancestors witnessed the lake's formation. Established in 1902, the park is the 5th-oldest National Park Service site in America, enjoyed by more than 500,000 visitors annually.

WINTER AT CRATER LAKE

Crater Lake is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the USA. Storms from the Pacific Ocean dump an average of 42 feet of snow at Park Headquarters and more than 50 feet at Rim Village. Despite all the snow, the park has relatively mild winter temperatures, with daily highs averaging 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. From November to June, the park’s North Entrance and Rim Drive are closed to cars. Highway 62 and Park Headquarters are open all year. Rim Village is open most of the winter, as weather allows. The park offers excellent opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. The nearest supermarkets are 60 miles away. Reliable personal transportation is strongly recommended.

DATES & HOURS

The position will start on January 29 and run through April 30. The volunteer will serve 6 to 8 hours per day (6 hours most days; 8 hours on busy days). They will typically work 5 days on, 2 days off, then 4 days on, 3 days off. Two positions are available. Both individuals and couples are welcome to apply, but couples won’t be able to share the same days off.

DUTIES            

The volunteer will spend 80% of their time operating the Steel Visitor Center, which receives between 10 and 200 people per day in the winter. They will answer questions, help people plan their visit, and show the park film. They will also provide information via phone, mail, and email. The park receives an average of 20 phone calls, 5 letters, and 10 emails per day. The volunteer will use a cash register to ring up sales of books and souvenirs.

The volunteer will spend 20% of their time preparing and presenting guided snowshoe walks to the public. Snowshoe walks are offered on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and some weekdays from late November through April. The walks are 2 hours long, moderate-to-strenuous in difficulty, and limited to 30 people per group. There is no cost for the tour, and snowshoes are provided free of charge. Around 2,000 visitors each year participate in these popular programs. The volunteer will be given training in interpretation and winter ecology.

QUALIFICATIONS   

We are seeking volunteers who have strong customer service skills and some public speaking experience (or at least ability). They must have a positive attitude, the patience to deal with repetitive questions and tasks, and enthusiasm for serving the public. They must be willing to wear a volunteer uniform, shovel snow, and live in a remote, mountainous location with frequent storms and slippery roads. They will be living and working at elevations of 6,400 to 7,200 feet. Computer skills are helpful, along with an interest in ecology, winter recreation, and resource interpretation. This position is rated strenuous: while leading snowshoe walks, the volunteer will be breaking trail through deep snow.

BENEFITS

·      Free housing (see below)

·      Reimbursement for groceries, supplies, and gasoline (up to $400/month)

·      America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass (free entry to 2,000 federal recreation sites for 1 year) after serving 250 hours

HOUSING

The volunteer will live in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house within walking distance (6 minutes) of work. They will have a private bedroom and one or two housemates. The house has a washer & dryer (free of charge) and satellite TV. There is no cell reception, but the house has free Wi-Fi. Internet access is also available on government computers at the office. The volunteer will have access to the park’s physical fitness center, which is also outfitted with satellite TV. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate volunteers with RVs in the winter due to deep snow, and pets are not allowed in volunteer housing.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are encouraged to e-mail a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for 3 references to David_Grimes@nps.gov. You may also apply online, through this website, but preference will be given to applicants who reach out directly. We typically receive 15-20 applications for these positions. Thank you for your interest!