Volunteer Positions
For anyone interested in volunteering, please contact the Park Volunteer Coordinator, Richard Hotchkiss at 804-732-3966 ext. 113 or e-mail us
Internships are offered for either college credit (arranged through your institution) or through the Student Conservation Association (see link on side bar). Internship duties can include, but are not limited to those listed below.
On-Going Positions
Greet Public at Visitor Center: Provide critical first contact with visitors. Accept fees, handle bookstore sales, orient visitors to park, answer questions. May advance to providing interpretive presentations with adequate experience and training.
Education Assistant: Assist Park Education Specialist with presentations to students both in park and at remote locations such as schools. Logistics include moving significant volume of educational materials. Instruction includes verbal presentations, role play, artwork and crafts. This is a very busy position!
Historical Researcher: Study original period documents and reference materials related to the Civil War in general and the Siege of Petersburg in particular. Write papers on findings to add to our knowledge base.
Trail Patrol (Foot, Bike or Horse): Wear proper Volunteer identification. Patrol trails to offer assistance, maps, and directions to visitors. Flag hazard trees or other hazards and map for treatment by Maintenance Division. This position involves NO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Boundary Assistant: Assist with the marking and clearing of the park boundary. Ensure that corner monuments are clearly marked and visible and the boundary line is clear of vegetation. Assist with the removal of debris and trash.
Resource Management Assistant/Intern: Work with park resource management staff in a variety of natural and cultural resource functions. Duties may include plant and animal inventories, invasive plant removal, GIS/GPS projects, photo documentation of projects, earthwork management projects, assisting with environmental compliance and natural research projects.
Trail Maintenance:Perform a wide variety of trail maintenance activities to include erosion control, sustainability projects and clearing.
Inventory Breeding Birds: Assist in a breeding bird monitoring program. Experienced volunteers are being sought to assist us in surveying in May or June. Mandatory training lasts 3-4 hours. Assignment requires 30 minutes at each point (travel, collect basic data, and conduct 10 minute point count). If interested, please contact Tim Blumenschine at Tim_Blumenschine@nps.gov.
One-Time Projects
Construction of trails at Five Forks: The park is currently constructing several miles of multi-use trails at the Five Forks Unit in Dinwiddie County. Work will involve clearing vegetation from the trail, installing culverts and/or bridges (as needed), and installing trail signs. A Chainsaw certified Park Ranger will fell and buck trees, allowing volunteers to easily clear off the trail. This is a Great Eagle Scout Project.
Remove Debris from Harrison Creek: This creek forms the Parks western boundary north and south of Route 36. Debris to be removed includes shopping carts, tires, metal tanks and other items.
Open Fishhook Trail: Vicinity of Church Road and Flank Road, Dinwiddie County. Approximate half-mile trail linking Fort Welch and Fort Gregg is overgrown, blocked by wind thrown trees, and needs gravel ramps added to footbridge.
