Garden Key Host
General Description of Duties: This is a full-time, temporary volunteer position duty stationed on remote Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, approximately 70 nautical miles from Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. Most volunteers enter the VIP program at Dry Tortugas National Park as Garden Key Hosts. The hosts are responsible for the daily operation of the primitive park campground, composting toilets and public changing rooms. Hosts typically work a minimum of 40 hours per week greeting campers, interacting with visitors, operating the park bookstore and assisting park staff with a wide variety of activities such as maintenance, beach cleanup, clerical work or resource monitoring. Volunteers work closely with park staff on a daily basis and function as an integral part of the team.
Special Requirements: The Garden Key Host opportunity is available for two people and requires sharing a very small 150-square-foot quarters unit with bunk beds, typically described as “one step up from primitive camping.” The unit is equipped with basic cookware and a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, countertop convection oven, electric skillet and gas grill. There is no stove. Most volunteer duties at Garden Key must be performed daily, so volunteers do not have scheduled days off each week.
Loggerhead Key Light Keeper
General Description of Duties: This is a full-time, temporary volunteer position duty stationed on remote Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, approximately 70 nautical miles from Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. Veterans of the Garden Key Host program sometimes move on to serve as keepers of Loggerhead Key. These volunteers live at Loggerhead for a four week period and perform all aspects of daily operation including maintaining a photovoltaic hybrid power system and water systems. Volunteers maintain and improve facilities on the island, collect refuse from the beaches, and notify park staff of any Cuban refugee landings. Volunteers on Loggerhead Key are expected to provide a minimum of 32 hours per week of service; however, most of these hard-working individuals do much more. The peace and solitude of Loggerhead Key are the primary reward for their dedication.
Special Requirements: Loggerhead Key is 3 miles from Garden Key and the Park’s administrative offices with no scheduled transportation, phone service or Internet access. Volunteers are provided with a park VHF radio and charger and must maintain daily communication with park staff. Volunteers are required to scan the island in the morning and evening for refugees and report any landings or other important information to park staff.
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To view more NPS volunteer opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/volunteer or www.volunteer.gov/gov
