Interpretation and Visitor Services Volunteer

Volunteer Position Title: Interpretation and Visitor Services Volunteer

Supervisor: VIP Supervisory Park Ranger and Volunteer Coordination Team

Description:

"Liberty Enlightening the World," better known as the Statue of Liberty, was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States in commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States and in celebration the United States’ Centennial. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, it is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924, and National Park Service Rangers and staff have been caring for the colossal copper statue since 1933.

Interpretation and Visitor Services volunteers assist the NPS in our mission by providing operational support and visitor assistance. They assist us in the daily tasks necessary to serve the millions of visitors who come to the islands each year; they provide information, orientation, and resource interpretation to our visitors; their presence and assistance allow staff to complete other tasks to ensure the operation continues to run smoothly and in accordance with agency and federal expectations and regulations; and they join us as team members, sharing their time with people who love coming to work every day and who are grateful for the help the volunteers so generously provide.

Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration are part of Statue of Liberty National Monument; at this time, we are only recruiting volunteers willing to serve on Liberty Island.

Major Duties:

• Assist in NPS operations by staffing assigned posts, including museums, information centers, and potentially giving tours on Liberty Island or Ellis Island.
• Professionally represent the National Park Service by providing high quality customer service.
  • Provide orientation, information, and interpretation to visitors regarding available park activities, potential safety hazards, ferry conditions, the histories of the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, Fort Wood, Ellis Island, American immigration, New York Harbor, and other relevant topics.
  • Follow ADA requirements and Division requirements for accessibility and equal access by notifying visitors of accommodations and assisting them as necessary and appropriate.
• Provide maps and brochures as requested.
• Rove museums and grounds as scheduled to assist park users with orientation, information, and interpretation of the park.
• Provide a productive level of operational support by being able and willing to staff multiple posts throughout a day's shift.

Work Location:

Liberty Island

Work Environment:

• The volunteer will have daily contact with a diverse and abundant visiting public as well as park staff, park partners, and concessionaires.
  • Some visitor interactions may require dealing with problems, complaints, or conflicts.
• The volunteer should expect a combination of duties and posted locations throughout each shift.
  • Work is performed primarily indoors, but outdoor posts may be assigned which can result in exposure to temperature, rain, wind, and direct sunlight.
  • Some post assignments require walking and standing for up to an hour at a time.
  • The volunteer may need to move through unrestored portions of Ellis Island during their shift.
• Ferry transportation to the park requires using a gangway; the angle of the gangway is dependent upon the tide level and can at times be at a steep angle, requiring the ability to navigate a steep incline.

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) will be provided during the application process and annually when re-signing a Volunteer Service Agreement.

Time Commitment:

4 – 40 hours per week, between 8:30am – 5:00pm

Sunday – Saturday, seasonal or year-round

Uniform:

The park will provide a VIP shirt and name badge that must be worn for each shift. Hats and jackets will also be provided but are not necessary year-round.

The volunteer will wear their own pants or slacks (not faded or stained and without holes) and tennis or dress shoes.

Skill and qualifications needed:

Required:

• Ability to communicate and work with a diverse public.
• Ability and willingness to communicate with park dispatch during emergencies.
• Ability to learn and communicate the cultural and natural history of the park.
• Ability to read maps and to give directions.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and competency when staffing posts.
• Willingness to dutifully staff multiple operational posts on island throughout a shift.

Desired:

• Previous experience working an information desk or in visitor services.
• Personal knowledge or connection to park natural and cultural history.
• Knowledge of park and New York / New Jersey area.

Required credentials:

All volunteers must apply for a US Park Police ID which will be shown at entry checkpoints and when boarding ferries. A background check is required.

Provided benefits:

In addition to the uniform pieces listed above, ferry service to and from Battery Park and Liberty Island will be provided for scheduled shifts. Some parking is available on Ellis Island for volunteers; prior permission is required and drivers may be required to submit to a vehicle search by US Park Police and their K-9 Unit. A park-issued parking permit is required to park on Ellis Island.

Housing is not provided.

Reimbursements are not authorized.