Position Meadow Rover Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 6/15/2010--10/11/2010 Activities • Conservation Education • Tour Guide/Interpretation • Visitor Information • Science • General Assistance Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Teens,Seniors,Groups,Family Difficulty Level Average

Goal: Meadow Rovers improve protection of the subalpine meadows at Paradise and Sunrise through visitor education.

Duties:

• Make safety the highest priority in the conduct of all duties.
• Actively promote understanding of and compliance with NPS regulations regarding use of the meadows (stay on trails, no flower picking, no pets on trails, no littering, etc.) Provide visitors with positive resource education messages.
• Provide information to visitors on a wide range of topics, including trails, flowers, wildlife, climbing, etc.
• Provide emergency assistance as needed, using park radio to call for help if necessary.

Qualifications:

• Good communication skills and a genuine enjoyment of people.
• Maturity, a positive attitude, and the ability to think on your feet.
• General knowledge of park resources and regulations, and the desire to continue learning and applying new knowledge.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good physical condition for walking and hiking at elevations above 5000 feet at Paradise and above 6000 feet at Sunrise.

Time commitment: at least 8 hours per month from June to early October. A day of training will be offered in June.

Supervisors:
Paradise: Curt Jacquot, Paradise Interpreter, 360-569-2211 ext. 3312

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Position Plant Propagation (Greenhouse Assistant) Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 4/1/2010--11/30/2010 Activities • Botany • Science • General Assistance • Weed/Invasive Species Control Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Seniors,Groups,Family Difficulty Level Average

Thank you for you interest in volunteering at the Mount Rainier National Park greenhouse. Volunteers play a significant role in the success of the plant production program in the park.

Brief job description: Assist Park Horticulturist in native plant production for park restoration projects.

Duties: Assist the Park Horticulturist in the propagation and maintenance of native plants. Duties include the collection and preparation of cutting material; transplanting seedlings and rooted cuttings; and general plant maintenance.

Some of the tasks that volunteers help us with, and the general timing for those tasks are:

• Seed collection - usually starts in early August and continues through mid-October.
• Seed cleaning - starts in late August and continues until all seed are clean (mid-late November most years).
• Transplanting rooted cuttings - starts in early-mid April and continues until all cuttings are potted up.
• Transplanting seedlings - starts in early-mid June and continues through mid-July.
• Field planting - starts in mid-late August and continues until all plants are planted or the snow depth is too high to clear away for continued planting.

Our normal hours of operation, both for greenhouse and field operations, is Monday - Thursday from 7am - 5:30pm. Volunteers usually come in around 8 or 9am and leave between 3 and 4pm (times vary depending on the volunteer's personal schedule). The field operation usually schedules two Saturdays a year for field planting, and the greenhouse usually schedules 2-3 Saturdays a year (one in the spring for transplanting, and one or two in late summer for seed collection).

Anticipated Results: As a member of the Natural and Cultural Resource Team that propagates planting materials for the restoration of meadows throughout the park, you will be making a significant contribution to providing a beautiful landscape for Mount Rainier’s estimated 2 million annual visitors to enjoy, as well as restoring natural environments damaged by human Activity.

Qualifications:

• Work experience in greenhouse operations, transplanting seedlings, gardening, landscape maintenance and/or college courses of study in botany, horticulture or related field.
• Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time and perform repetitive tasks with a high level of accuracy.
• Willingness to learn by following instructions if not qualified in (1) and (2).
• Physical ability to do the work you are applying for. Seed collection may require the ability to complete a strenuous hike and work at high elevations.

Responsibilities:

• Work within the parameters of this position description unless change is documented by your supervisor.
• Dedication to working with proper equipment in a safe, sane manner at all times. Safety First!

Time Commitment:
Part-time, intermittent. Most need for volunteers is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Training:
The Park Horticulturist will provide training and background information on horticultural practices, greenhouse operations, and production goals.

Benefits:

• Waiver of park entry/camping fees for volunteer period;
• VIP baseball cap;
• Coverage for on-the-job injuries through the VIP Program;
• The satisfaction of making a difference with other great people dedicated to preserving and protecting Mount Rainier - a Crown Jewel of the National Park Service.

Supervisor, and for more information:
Josh Drown, Park Horticulturist, (360) 569-6170.

Position Education Program Volunteer Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave East Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 10/1/2009--6/30/2012 Activities • Conservation Education • Science Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Seniors Difficulty Level Average

Mount Rainier National Park is looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist with the Park's Curriculum-Based Education Program.

Primary duties include: preparing and presenting field-based education programs for visiting school groups, including via snowshoe at elevations up to about 5,500 feet above sea level (elementary through high school students); helping to develop new programs and curricula; researching and writing grant proposals; and assisting with various other education projects.

Program topics may include: the geology of Mount Rainier, park history and historic architecture, life zones ecology, winter ecology, sustainable design/green building, National Park Service Mission and careers, and others.

Education background or experience is desirable. Please send a resume and unofficial transcripts, if relevant. If interested or for more information, please contact Fawn Bauer, Acting Education Program Manager. Email: fawn_bauer@nps.gov, Phone: 360-569-6037.

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Position Campground Host (Summer 2010) Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 5/29/2010--10/11/2010 Activities • Campground Host Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Seniors Difficulty Level Not Difficult

As you can imagine, Campground Host positions at Mount Rainier National Park are in great demand! Hosts are selected each year for the Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Campgrounds. Hosts often return for multiple years. To be considered for any openings, please contact the Campground Supervisor in September or October to express your interest for the following summer. Applications at other times will be kept on file for twelve months and reviewed during the hiring period.

Campground Hosts will next be needed for the 2010 season at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Campgrounds and will be hired in October or November of 2009. Full hookups are available. A commitment of at least 32 hours per week is required. Maximum motorhome length is 30 feet; maximum trailer length is 25 feet. Please include the length of your motorhome or trailer in your application. Our season dates are from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Partial season assignments may be possible. Contact Debbie Hannevig at 360-569-6006 or debbie_hannevig@nps.gov for more information.

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Position Curation Assistant Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 5/1/2010--8/31/2010 Activities • Computers • Research Library • Historical Preservation • Office/Clerical • General Assistance Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Seniors Difficulty Level Average

Duties: The Cultural Resource program at Mount Rainier National Park is looking for detail-oriented individuals who are interested in the photographic history of the park, to assist the Park Curator with the processing of the park's historic photograph collection. This involves organizing the photographs into subjects for easy retrieval, rehousing the images into acid-free containers, completing item-level cataloging into the National Park Service's National Catalog, and, if there is time, digitizing the images for public use.

This work will benefit Mount Rainier National Park by improving the organization of its historic collections and making them more accessible for use by park naturalists, resource managers, and the public.

Location: The park's curation facility in Ashford.

Time Commitment Required: Up to three volunteers are needed who can commit at least one day per week.

Skills required: Ability to hand-print legibly; some computer skills. National Catalog Program will be taught to the volunteers, as well as digitizing.

Other Information: Work will involve repeated bending and lifting of boxes of images. Housing and a small reimbursement for living expenses are available for volunteers who can work at least 32 hours per week.

For more information: Contact Brooke Childrey, Park Curator, at 360-569-2211 extension 2364.

Position Winter Volunteer Opportunities Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 11/1/2009--4/30/2010 Activities • Botany • Conservation Education • Research Library • Tour Guide/Interpretation • Visitor Information • Back Country/Wilderness Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults Difficulty Level Average

What can I do to volunteer for Mount Rainier National Park during the winter?
Many of our park operations shut down or scale back during the winter months. Most of the park is buried by snow, which rules out trail building, biological surveys, revegetation, meadow roving, and most backcountry patrol. Our campgrounds and most of our visitor centers are closed. A few programs remain active through the winter, but need little volunteer assistance. We work with a few volunteers in the greenhouse, and some of our summer meadow rovers return to help with public snowshoe walks. Our museum curator sometimes has projects that volunteers can help with, scanning, sorting, and cataloging historic documents, photos, and artifacts. The education program is most active during the autumn and spring school year, and is always interested in hearing from small numbers of people with an interest and background in working with curriculum-based education. For information about any of these programs, see our separate position listings or contact the Volunteer Program Manager.

One of the most active volunteer programs during the winter is Nordic Patrol. Through a partnership with the Washington Ski Touring Club, volunteers skilled in skiing and snowshoeing patrol the snowy wilderness above Sunrise, marking routes, roping off dangerous areas, and assisting visitors. Information about the program can be found at www.wstc.org.

For most of the winter, one of the best ways to support Mount Rainier National Park is to participate in the work of our partners in the community. The Washington Parks and Forests Coalition is a great place to start. The National Parks Conservation Association is active year-round with citizen-based advocacy efforts on behalf of all of our national parks. The Mountaineers likewise support public lands throughout the state, and sponsor many volunteer and recreational projects throughout the year. The Washington Trails Association sponsors volunteer projects at lower elevations during the winter, gradually moving back up into the high country as the snow melts in the spring. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) provides lots of opportunities for service, especially for young people. Ask how you can help with the fundraising efforts of Washington’s National Park Fund. Many other local groups also support public lands and offer many ways to get involved. Visit Volunteer.gov/gov to look for local options.

Most new volunteer opportunities will be advertised during the spring. Watch our volunteer blog and our website for the announcement of long-term positions such as campground hosts, curatorial librarians, and mountaineering rangers. A variety of summer internships will be posted on the website of the Student Conservation Association. Short-term and recurring projects, especially trail repair, will start recruiting volunteers in late April or early May, though the calendar won’t start filling up until late June when trails and meadows start melting out at high elevations. Look for a calendar of such projects to appear at the top of our volunteer blog in late Spring.

For more ideas, contact Volunteer Program Manager Kevin Bacher at 360-569-2211 ext. 3385, or kevin_bacher@nps.gov.

  Please Complete Your Application at: Winter Volunteer Opportunities Application

Position Washington Trails Association Projects Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 5/29/2010--9/6/2010 Activities • Trail/Campground Maintenance • Back Country/Wilderness Record Date 11/20/2009 Suitable For Adults,Teens,Seniors,Groups Difficulty Level Strenuous

Brief job description: Assist the Washington Trails Association, in cooperation with Mount Rainier Park Trail Crews, in various duties needed to maintain and/or repair the approximately 260 miles of trails in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as trails on adjacent public lands.

Duties:

• Assist with repair of winter damage caused by storms/flooding etc.
• Brushing - by removing plant materials that encroach on the trail
• Tread Cleaning - removing fallen debris and other materials that may cover trail
• Trail opening - remove fallen trees, debris, snow
• Assist with new trail construction as directed by trail crew supervisor
• Assist with upgrading of deteriorated trails
• Maintain and repair trail drainage systems

Anticipated results:

You will be helping to preserve the trails that allow visitor access to the designated wilderness at Mount Rainier. Projects in recent years have included repairing the Wonderland Trail and rebuilding the Glacier Basin Trail, both heavily damaged by flooding in November 2006.

Qualifications for the job:

• Must be able and equipped to hike mountain trails at elevations up to 7000 feet while carrying up to 20 pounds
• Must have physical ability to do the work you are applying for
• Volunteers under age 18 must have written parental approval
• Must be experienced, or willing to learn, trail work procedures and use of tools such as rake, shovel, pulaski, handsaws, loppers, come-a-long
• Willingness to interact in a friendly, helpful manner to visitors that may be encountered on the trail

Responsibilities:

• Work within parameters of this position description unless change is documented by supervisor
• Dedication to working with proper equipment in a safe, sane manner at all times. Safety First!

Training Requirements: On-the-job training; other training as designed by supervisor.

For More Information about the Washington Trails Association and their role in helping with recovery efforts from the floods of November 2006, visit their website at www.wta.org or Mount Rainier's volunteer blog at rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com.

  Please Complete Your Application at: Washington Trails Association Projects Application