8P: Visitor Center Frontliner Volunteer

Dates (Session has a 3 day training prior to start):  

• Session 1: April 15th to July 31st

Location: Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger Station, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

Number of Positions: 2 couples per session

Time commitment: Each couple will serve 3-4 days a week at an 8-hour shift (8:45am-5:15pm), for 3-4 months.  Consecutive days off are offered, except in unusual circumstances.

Description:  Pisgah Ranger Station Visitor Center Frontliner Volunteers serve alongside Forest Service employees to provide customer service and guidance to our visitors.  As a member of the Pisgah District team, Frontliner volunteers are expected to perform service and conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner with other workers and the public. Our Frontliner volunteers receive formal, informal, and on-the-job training to help ready them for the duties they perform.  These duties include, but are not limited to:

• Selected volunteers will perform daily activities to support the operations of a visitor center including greeting and educating callers and visitors and responding to a variety of questions regarding Forest Service recreational opportunities, programs, exhibits, facilities, permits, policies and functions. Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding recreation.
• Provide excellent customer service and accurate visitor information to Forest visitors while staffing the busy front desk at the visitor center and answering repetitive questions about trip planning and recreational activities.
• Be interested in and familiar with the recreation amenities and opportunities throughout the district.
• Become acquainted with District staff and programs.
• Follow issues and activities occurring on the District, across Pisgah National Forest, and within the agency that may help provide the public with needed information.
• Serve as Collection Officer to sell Interagency Passes. (Volunteer is held accountable for the funds collected and must maintain accountability records as required.)
• As needed, may assist with sales at the gift shop run by the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association, which includes working in QuickBooks POSS, and processing credit cards.
• Keep work area and visitor center tidy and presentable for the public, requiring duties such as, but not limited to:
• Keeping brochure rack stocked and helping keep track of back stock.
• Wiping down countertops, dusting exhibits and other areas that accumulate dust/germs.

Skills and Abilities Needed:  Volunteer must be positive, able to serve in a team environment, have strong communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with others and public. Individual will need to maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times, and ability to deal with stressful situations. Candidate must be able to follow instructions and will receive an orientation, and some on the job training.  Applicant may be required to be on their feet for extended periods of time. 

Housing:  Couple or individual must be able to provide their own RV or travel trailer.  The size of your RV may be requested prior to position offer.  Each site offers full hook-ups, and other amenities include washer/dryer, Wi-Fi, and a community fire ring, with firewood available.  Cell reception is limited.  Verizon works best.  The Visitor Center, trails, and Davidson River are within walking distance of the RV pad. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

About the Area:  Located on Hwy 276, the facility is located approximately 2 miles from Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, 6 miles from Brevard, North Carolina, and 14 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Asheville Regional Airport is nearby.  The site is nestled in a quiet, peaceful setting.  Pisgah Ranger District has nearly 400 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Transylvania County, North Carolina is known for the abundance of natural waterfalls, and there are several within district boundaries.

Please apply online (through volunteer.gov). If you've volunteered before, please include experience and references in your application.