Volunteer Opportunities
No experience is necessary - only a desire to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Volunteers are needed year-round and training is provided; along with uniforms for volunteers who work with the public. Many opportunities exist for volunteering, and we work to match your interests with our needs. Some of the volunteer opportunities include: Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Front Desk Assistant/Greeter, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: The Front Desk Assistant or Greeter is usually the first and often only personal contact a visitor has in the park. The volunteer in this position will greet and welcome each visitor coming into the visitor center, begin each session of the park film; conduct sales and stock merchandise in the Eastern National Bookstore store; and assist with other front desk associated work. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred: Good communication skills, ability to determine visitor needs and answer questions, positive attitude, professional demeanor, knowledge of park information, reliability _____________________________________________________________________________ Goals / Outcomes of Job: Provide a fun and educational experience for visitors, helping them make connections to, and increase their understand of the significance of Fort Scott's story, along with other park themes. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers: Meet and greet people from all around the United States and the world. Be an active steward of the national parks. Build a resume. Greeter desk and safety training provided. VIP uniform provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers Vary _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: This important position is needed 7 days a week. The volunteer coordinator will work to find a mutually beneficial schedule for each volunteer. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Interpretive Guide, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: Throughout the year, the park offers a variety of interpretive programs to visitors, free of charge. In order to provide programs year-round, the NPS needs VIP Park Guides. VIP Park Guides will work alongside NPS staff to conduct talks, demonstrations, or hands-on activities. NPS staff will work with VIPs to determine program topics best suited for special events and the regular calendar. Park interpretive themes and training will be provided to inform the VIP of what information should be shared during each program. Opportunities are typically available seven days a week and take place both indoors and outdoors. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Training Provided: NPS will provide orientation and interpretive training to assist VIPs in selecting appropriate themes, presentation techniques, and historical information that will be shared during each program. _____________________________________________________________________________ Goals / Outcomes of Job: Provide a fun and educational experience for visitors, helping them make connections to, and increase their understand of the significance of Fort Scott's story, along with other park themes. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers: Ability to work with a variety of visitors; strengthen communication skills; thoroughly learn Fort Scott’s story. Official VIP uniform & period costuming provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers vary according to program. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: VIP should work with VIP Coordinator to determine topic, type, length, and date of program. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Education Program Presenter or Assistant, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: During the summer and periodically throughout the year, the park offers a variety of educational programs to students or children. Due to high demand of these programs, the park needs Education Program Presenters and Assistants to help in providing quality educational experiences for students and children. The VIP will conduct various distance learning, as well as, educational programs including classroom sessions & living history demonstrations throughout the park grounds. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Training Provided: NPS will provide interpretive and educational training to assist VIPs in preparation for program presentation. _____________________________________________________________________________ Goals / Outcomes of Job: Provide a fun and educational experience for students and children, helping them make connections to, and increase their understand of the significance of Fort Scott's story, along with other park themes. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers: Ability to work with students; strengthen communication skills; learn Fort Scott’s story. Education program and interpretive training provided. In addition, safety training, VIP uniform and period costuming provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers vary according to programing. _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Living History, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: Throughout the year, the park offers a variety of interpretive programs, including living history, to visitors, free of charge. Due to high demand of these programs, the park needs Living Historians to assist in providing quality experiences for visitors. Living history is an interpretive technique where the past is brought to life. This interpretive technique can cover any period of Fort Scott’s story and can involve demonstrations, talks, weapons programs, etc. Park interpretive themes and training will be provided to the VIP. Opportunities are typically available seven days a week and during special events. Living history can take place both indoors and outdoors ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Goals / Outcomes of Job: Provide a fun and educational experience for students and children, helping them make connections to, and increase their understand of the significance of Fort Scott's story, along with other park themes. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers: Provide a fun and educational experience for visitors, helping them understand the significance of Fort Scott’s story, along with other park themes. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers vary according to programing. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: VIP should work with VIP Coordinator to determine topic, type, length, and date of program. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Library Assistant, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s library encompasses hundreds of books. In order to keep up with the vast amount of research items a VIP Library Assistant is needed. This assistant will provide help to staff, volunteers, and researchers looking for specific books or research subjects. The assistant will also help keep current books organized and help catalogue new publications that enter the library. VIP uniform provided. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Goals / Outcomes of Job: Help provide a suitable and organized library space for staff and researchers to further promote the study and appreciation of the importance of Fort Scott. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers (note: training if applicable): Ability to work with researchers; learn Fort Scott’s story; build research and filing skills; help enhance researcher and park staff research ability; Gain experience with the National Park Service; Ability to “give back” to the National Park Service; VIP uniform provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers Vary. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: VIP should work with VIP Coordinator to determine. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Museum Collections Assistant, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s has thousands of museum artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs. Due to this, there is a need for a Museum Collections Assistant. This VIP will work in the sites collection and exhibit areas, as well as the Curatorial Office. Jobs will include dusting, inventory and accessioning of items, rehousing files, helping with storage, photographing and scanning of artifacts. This job is ongoing year round. VIP uniform will be provided ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Goals / Outcomes of Job: Help provide safe storage and display of museum artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs that are important in preserving the history of Fort Scott. It will also allow staff and researchers an organized museum collection to further the study and appreciation of Fort Scott. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers (note: training if applicable): Opportunity to work with original artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs; Build research, filing, and museum collections skills; help enhance researcher and park staff research ability; Gain experience with the National Park Service; VIP uniform provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers Vary. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: VIP should work with VIP Coordinator to determine. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Garden Assistant, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s historic Officer’s Garden is comprised of dozens of heirloom plants, herbs, and flowers in two large beds. The demonstration vegitable garden consists of numerious traditional and heirloom vegatables. Due to the large amount of care and upkeep the gardens demands, a Gardening Assistant is needed. This VIP will help with breaking up the soil, watering, planting, composting, weeding, and general plant upkeep of the garden. This VIP will also have the opportunity to work with Fort Scott National Historic Site's resource and interpretive managers in giving programs and talking to the public about plants and gardening techniques common during the mid-19th century. VIP uniform provided. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Goals / Outcomes of Job: Making the Officer’s garden, vegetable garden, and park grounds more pleasant and appealing for visitor’s enjoyment, and also to promote the appreciation of gardening and healthy living in Fort Scott. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers (note: training if applicable): Provide a fun and educational experience for visitors involving the Officer’s Garden, Vegetable Garden, and helping visitors understand the significance of Fort Scott’s story and how agriculture played into the lives of the soldiers living in the fort; Gain experience with the National Park Service; Ability to “give back” to the National Park Service; opportunity to stay fit by conducting various light duties. VIP uniform provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Safety Notice: Garden VIPs will be working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including hot & sunny days, stormy weather, rain, cold, etc. There is potential for excessive exposure to sun, so the VIP must take precautions, including sunscreen, a hat, and limited time in the sun. There is a potential for becoming dehydrated or overheating, so the VIP should carry plenty of water and drink regularly while working outdoors at the park. Other safety hazards include snakes, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, poison ivy, briars, or lifting heavy items without assistance. Please use common sense and take every precaution and keep yourself safe. If in doubt, please check with park staff. The VIP must not work outdoors in the likelihood of lightning, whether or not a storm is in progress. In an emergency, VIPs should take shelter inside the visitor center. If Bourbon County is under a severe weather warning (tornado, thunderstorm, excessive heat) from the National Weather Service, VIPs should not be working anywhere outdoors. Shelter should be taken immediately. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers Vary. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: This position may be requested throughout the months of March to November. ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ Volunteers In Parks Job Description
Volunteers In Parks (VIP) can assist the National Park Service in many ways including visitor center operations, resource management projects, research work, historic and natural history programs, clerical assistance, historic restoration, park maintenance, and more. ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Title: Photographer, Fort Scott National Historic Site ____________________________________________________________________________ Job Description: The park consists of over 17 acres, both wooded & open, with multiple buildings and includes both natural and cultural beauty. In order to promote stewardship and appreciation of the importance of Fort Scott's beauty, it is important to record these images for future generations. For this reason there is a need for a VIP Photographer. This VIP can work capturing images of Fort Scott’s natural and cultural beauty. The VIP may also work documenting park programs offered by staff and other VIPs, as well as, ongoing park projects. This position may work with interpretive staff to participate in an Artists in Park program. ____________________________________________________________________________ Skills Needed / Preferred:
Goals / Outcomes of Job: Helping to record images of Fort Scott in order to preserve the current record of stewardship as well as the park’s natural beauty. ____________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to Volunteers (note: training if applicable): Gain experience with the National Park Service and cameras; Ability to “give back” to the National Park Service; opportunity to stay fit by conducting various light duties. Official VIP uniform provided. _____________________________________________________________________________ Safety Notice: Photographer VIPs will be working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including hot & sunny days, stormy weather, rain, cold, etc. There is potential for excessive exposure to sun, so the VIP must take precautions, including sunscreen, a hat, and limited time in the sun. There is a potential for becoming dehydrated or overheating, so the VIP should carry plenty of water and drink regularly while working outdoors at the park. Other safety hazards include snakes, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, poison ivy, briars, or lifting heavy items without assistance. Please use common sense, take every precaution, and keep yourself safe. If in doubt, please check with park staff. When working with living history it is important to be safe in keeping a proper distance during historic weapons firings and/or wearing the proper clothing if proximity is an issue. **Any pictures taken while acting as a VIP become property of the Fort Scott NHS. Rights Reserved. _____________________________________________________________________________ Number of volunteers needed: Numbers Vary. _____________________________________________________________________________ Minimum Commitment: This position may be requested throughout the calendar year. ______________________________________________________________________________
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Fort Scott National Historic Site or send email to Volunteer Coordinator Firearms in the Park: Under 43 C.F.R. § 20.511, Departmental volunteers in the course of their official duties are prohibited from possessing firearms on property under control of the Department. Because of the stated purpose of the sponsors of Section 512 to provide uniformity under applicable state law from bureau-to-bureau, the potential liability issues that could result, and the absence of any criminal penalties applicable to this regulation, this Departmental policy continues to apply to all NPS/FWS employees and volunteers during their official duties. Volunteers who are not on official duty may possess firearms on Departmental lands under the same conditions applicable to members of the general public, according to P.L. 111-24, Section 512. For this purpose, volunteers are considered the same as other employees when engaged in their official activities Volunteer Opportunities on Volunteer.gov | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Last updated: December 18, 2022