During the last fiscal year, 638 people generously volunteered 47,862 hours of their time and talents assisting the National Park Service at Mount Rainier. From those of us who recognize both the value of your time and the value of Mount Rainier National Park, a heartfelt THANK YOU!

GOALS:
The practical goal of the VIP Program at Mount Rainier is to recruit and sustain a team of loyal, motivated volunteers, comprised of individuals and members of employee groups or organizations, in order to provide a reliable alternative labor source to assist the paid professional park staff in completing work projects and rendering services that would be impossible without volunteer help. The inherent goal is assured when all of us who have discovered the "Joy of Volunteering" at Mount Rainier form partnerships with the park to preserve and protect one of the "Crown Jewel" of the National Park System.

VOLUNTEERS AND THE BOTTOM LINE:
In September 1992, Superintendent Bill Briggle implemented his vision for a more dynamic program at Mount Rainier by bringing the volunteers into full partnership with the professional park coordinators in day-to-day management of volunteer activities. Superintendent Briggle's action not only has increased effectiveness in the utilization of volunteers but also has led to impressive growth in the number of volunteers and the total hours contributed. At Mount Rainier in fiscal year 1996, 638 volunteers contributed 47,862 hours. Multiply 47,862 hours by $12.84, Internal Revenue's estimated dollar value of each volunteer hour, to prove that this effort stretches substantially park funding available to cover the work backlog.

The prime need for volunteers at Mount Rainier is from May through September. Few opportunities exist during the weather-closure months with the exception of Nordic Ski Patrollers and volunteers needed to backup the Interpretive Rangers at the Paradise and Longmire Visitor Centers on weekends and holidays.

HOUSING:
Limited housing, consisting of a shared apartment or bunkhouse, or a tent, is provided at no charge. Volunteers will need to provide their own cooking utensils and bedding. Seventeen RV-sites, with full hookups, are available for volunteers who work full-time. The sites are located at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Campgrounds, and at the old Longmire Campground.

MEALS:
Volunteers must provide their own meals. The cost of meals is reimbursed, if needed by the volunteer, at the discretion of the supervisor, providing funds are available. Fortunately, most of our volunteers do not request reimbursement or we would be unable to sustain such a vigorous program.

TRAINING:
Emphasis on comprehensive training has increased dramatically at Mount Rainier. Our volunteers benefit because they are invited to attend most of it. So far this season, VIPs have participated in: Ranger Skills Training such as Search and Rescue, River Crossing, Map & Compass; Emergency Medical Services; Bloodborne Pathogen, etc. Some of our highly-qualified volunteers also participate as medical advisor and instructors in ranger skills. The accelerated focus on training that includes volunteers also benefits the National Park Service. It is estimated that about one-fourth of the seasonal employees at Mount Rainier this summer were VIPs prior to hiring. Volunteering is, in fact, a backdoor to seasonal employment. This affords the park access to well-trained, highly-motivated seasonal staff members at a measurable savings in dollars and time commitment on the part of the park. Other volunteers have moved up the ladder and are now career employees of the National Park Service.

UNIFORM:
Persons working in public contact work will be provided with a khaki shirt; green baseball-type cap, VIP patches and a name bar. Any additional items required by the supervisor will either be provided out of stock on hand or reimbursed to the limit of funds available. Hardhats and safety gear and equipment are furnished as work requires. The VIP Program has acquired 15 Bendix radios that are issued to volunteers in remote areas.

TIME COMMITMENT:
Full-time (minimum of 32 hours per week); part-time (minimum 16 hours per month); part-time, intermittent: variable, one to 14 days as duties or projects require.

OPPORTUNITIES:
Administration: Assist with office duties such as data input, word processing; general clerical duties at either Tahoma Woods or Longmire. The busy Purchasing Office in the Warehouse at Longmire needs skilled office workers with good communication skills and knowledge of 10-key calculator and personal computer from May through September.

Campground Host:
Assists ranger in the daily operation of auto campground as resident host. Duties: Respond to visitor's questions; assist with fee collection; direct campers to vacant campsites; perform light maintenance and litter pickup. Host campsite is provided for volunteers with self-contained RV-vehicles. Time Commitment: 4-6 weeks between mid-June and mid-September.

Interpretation:
A volunteer librarian assists with the daily operation of the park's reference library; duties consist of accessioning, cataloging, and general library duties. The librarian assists with the management of the park's archives, collections and historic photographs. Other volunteers are needed to assist with operation of visitor centers, museum and wilderness information centers. General duties include answering visitor's questions; providing directions; selling books, maps and other publications; and issuing backcountry camping permits. Volunteers also rove meadows at Paradise and Sunrise to answer questions and respond to visitor's needs.

Maintenance:
Maintenance Team Volunteers assist with cleaning, maintenance and repair of buildings, equipment, facilities and grounds. Duties include cleaning restrooms and buildings; collecting trash; picking up litter and making minor repairs. General handyman-type skills helpful. RV-sites are available at Longmire for full-time Maintenance Team crew members.Other duties may include assistance to rangers in the visitor protection and interpretive divisions.

Meadow Rehabilitation:
Volunteers assist revegetation crew in repairing and replainting of subalpine meadows and trails. . Work is done outdoors in all weather at elevations of 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Volunteers will be using hand tools, and carrying heavy loads for short distrances.

Resource Management:
Volunteers are utilized in research projects such as bear, elk, fisheries, mountain goats, owl, marbled murrelet, and air and water quality studies. Persons are also needed to help operate a greenhouse and conduct vegetation studies. A knowledge of biological or wildlife studies is helpful.needed.

Visitor Protection:
Volunteers are utilized in a wide range of activities throughout the park These include: Trail Rovers in the Yakima District; Wilderness Rangers in the Klapatchee District; Climbing Ranger Assistants in the Tahoma District; Ranger Station Assistants throughout the park. Roadside Assistance Vehicle Drivers on roads throughout the park; Ranger Assistants are especially needed in the Carbon River/Mowich Lake District, that includes the "Little Red Caboose" ranger station located at Wilkeson.

Trail Work:
Volunteers work with trail crew, either as a member of a group or organization or independently, on the repair and maintenance of the park's 300 miles of trails from the low forest to the subalpine meadows. Knowledge of hand tools; good physical condition, and willingness to work outdoors in all types of weather is required.

APPLICATIONS:
Applications are accepted year round and retained for one year after date of receipt. For information on current volunteer opportunities and applications contact: VIP Coordinator, Mount Rainier National Park, Tahoma Woods Star Route, Ashford, WA 98304. Tel. (360)-569-2211, ext 2304#. E-mail: Becky_Ingle@nps.gov. Application should include information about your availability; housing needs; skills and knowledge; and work interests, along with your name and address and contact information. Also check out the NPS VIP Page at http://www.nps.gov/volunteer/.

We'll be going "cyber" in a big way by next summer with more volunteer opportunities available on a nationwide bulletin board.

Last Updated:Friday, 01-Oct-1999 17:01:03 Eastern Daylight Time
http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/vip.htm
Author: Volunteer Coordinators

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