Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Great Falls Park! We are constantly in need of qualified volunteers who are interested in assisting us in providing quality visitor services and protecting the resources of this park. On this page, you will find information about the types of jobs volunteers do, as well as the process for applying. For a complete packet with full descriptions and an application, please contact the park and ask to speak with the volunteer coordinator.

Visitor Center Volunteer

Staffs the information desk in the Visitor Center. Duties include answering questions, providing maps and other literature, announcing programs, using a two-way radio, serving as a contact and coordination person during emergencies, acting as a cashier for the park bookstore, answering the phone, and acting as a friendly, helpful contact for visitors.

Trails Maintenance Volunteer ("Trail Crew")

Assists the park staff in the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of park trails and other areas. Duties include using hand tools, occasionally using power equipment, participating in scheduled trail maintenance projects, following written and verbal instructions from staff, and at times being able to participate in individual work projects.

Special Projects Volunteer

Provides essential, technical, or skill-based services for the park. These volunteers can provide services based on their skills, previous experiences, and abilities on an as needed basis. Special project areas where these volunteers are needed include naturalist projects, historic research, photography, newsletter editor, and natural resource protection. Since the special projects can vary greatly, the above list is not all inclusive.

Education Program/Interpretation Volunteer

Provides park visitors, visiting school groups, and external organizations with quality interpretive and educational programs about the various cultural, historical, and natural aspects of the park. Duties include assisting park staff with program development, research into program topics, presenting interpretive/educational programs to groups, program scheduling, and assisting staff with programs. Opportunities to develop, research, and present your own program for a group are possible.

Bike Safety Rove

Roves designated bicycle trails in the park providing general information and orientation to park visitors. They act as a friendly, helpful contact for visitors. These volunteers will operate a portable two-way radio, distribute park maps and literature to visitors, and assist visitors with minor field repair of bicycles. As needed, he/she will assist park staff during park emergencies; including locating emergency incident, rendering first aid, controlling pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and assisting with communications. Bike volunteers help monitor resource and trail conditions, along with notifying park staff about unsafe conditions and resource damage. He/she will inform the volunteer coordinator about general trail conditions. Other duties include assisting with general upkeep of equipment; including cleaning bikes after use, restocking maps/brochures, and changing flat tires as needed.

Cliff Safety Rove

Contact the park for more information.

Qualifications

Qualifications vary depending on the position. Specific qualifications are listed in the volunteer packet. General skills include being comfortable talking to an audience, an ability to handle emergency situations, maintaining a professional appearance, being dependable and punctual, and being capable of speaking in a clear, understandable manner. Volunteers need to enjoy working with people and being of service to others. VIPs must wear a uniform while they are working in the park. The volunteer will need to provide khaki pants, while the park will provide shirts, caps, and jackets. Trail crew and special projects volunteers typically do not need to wear a uniform. Bike safety rove volunteers must be physically able to ride a bicycle on variable trail conditions within Great Falls Park in varying weather conditions.

Time Commitments

Commitments vary depending on the volunteer's position. Visitor Center volunteers are typically long term, although short term is possible. A commitment of three continuous hours once a month is desired. Trail Crew meets one day per month from 8:30-11a.m. on a Saturday. Other positions have a flexible time commitment. Full details are listed in the volunteer packet.

Training

Training is often done while observing rangers and other park staff or VIPs. Opportunities for research and reading prepared programs will be built into the training process for some positions. The VIP packet will have full details.

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like a VIP packet and application, call the park at 703-285-2965 and ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.