Starrigavan Recreation Area Winter Host

This is a volunteer position at the Starrigavan Recreation Area in Sitka, Alaska (Home - Visit Sitka). The hours of volunteer service will depend on the number of campers, picnickers and visitors in the recreation area and light maintenance duties that need to be accomplished but is typically 20 -30 hours per week. The volunteer should expect to schedule time to complete duties and responsibilities as listed below. The recreation area is located on Sitka’s main road but is approximately 7 miles from stores. Individuals or couples may apply. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions. Site is well-developed, but there are slip, trip, and fall hazards in any outdoor environment. Brown bears frequent the area.

DUTIES

·     Volunteer will provide hosting and upkeep at Starrigavan Recreation Area, Sawmill Creek Campground, and Harbor Mountain Picnic Area.

·     Open and close public access gates daily unless snow and/or ice is present on roads.

·     Monitor waste levels in outhouse vaults and contact supervisor if issues arise.

·     Provide information and recreation area rules to visitors.

·     Post and monitor campsite, picnic site, and rental cabin reservation information. 

·     Clean campsites, picnic sites, and rental cabin when needed.

·     Pick up litter around the recreation area.

·     Fill potholes on campground roads as necessary.

·     Clean restrooms as needed and directed by supervisor.   

·     Remove illegal fire rings as necessary.

·     Provide light and occasional maintenance needs as determined by supervisor. This may require use of small gas or electric powered equipment such as string trimmers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, etc.

·     Patrol recreation area using UTV or FS vehicle, report issues and/or problems to police or FS law enforcement and supervisor.

·     Assist FS staff with splitting firewood using a hydraulic wood splitter and stacking firewood in woodsheds

·     Dispense firewood purchased by campers and picnickers.

·     Informally convey Bear Aware, Coexist with Brown Bears and Low Impact Camping message to visitors. Open and close trails as necessary if bears are in area. Communicate with FS staff about the presence of bears.

·     Keep host cabin area clear of snow using UTV, snow blower, or shovel

·     Other duties as assigned.

HOUSING

Lodging is provided to the volunteers in the host cabin within the Starrigavan Recreation Area. The cabin includes furnace, electric range top and oven, microwave, refrigerator, television, internet, washer and dryer, all necessary living room, bedroom and dining furniture, dishware and basic kitchen utensils, cookware, cleaning supplies, and a phone. There is no dishwasher, wood stove, or garage and volunteers should be prepared to provide their own queen-size bedding and specialty electrical appliances (e.g. blender) if desired. Cellular service is spotty within the recreation area, but landline phones and basic internet service are provided. Internet service is often slow and may have temporary outages or experience slow network speeds. Health and safety compliance inspections may be made on a periodic basis. Forest Service personnel will attempt to notify host(s) prior to entry except in the event of an emergency. The government cannot accept liability for personal items left or stored at the cabin. No pets are allowed to reside on premises or at the host cabin. 

See links below for more information:

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233179

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233994

https://visitsitka.org/member/sawmill-creek-campground