Cave Tour Assistant (CTA)

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Please note: There is NO park housing/RV pad available for this position.

Located along the beautiful Cumberland Mountains, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park stretches across three states: Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. With over 85 miles of hiking trails, historical sites, overlooks, camping, and guided tours, Cumberland Gap provides opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Guided tours of the legendary Gap Cave occur seasonally from April through September. On the morning of their scheduled tour, visitors arrive at the Daniel Boone Visitor Information Center, where they are greeted by their tour guide and given flashlights. The group then hikes 1/2 mile to the entrance of Gap Cave. From start to finish, including hiking time, the average cave tour lasts approximately two hours.

Every cave tour at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park must involve a minimum of two park personnel: a CaveTour Guide , who leads the tour, and a Cave Tour Assistant (CTA) , who follows behind the tour. Volunteers start out as CTAs. but can receive training to become tour guides if they have sufficient experience and interest.

Main Duties

• Complete an official CTA training led by a staff member experienced in leading cave tours.
• Interact with visitors as they arrive for tours, help distribute flashlights, and check that everyone is wearing proper footwear before the tour commences.
• Carry cave keys and use them to correctly lock/unlock the entrance and exit gates so that the tour group can enter and exit the cave.
• Remain behind tour groups and ensure that no visitor gets left behind the group or travels off the tour path.
• Safely escort visitor(s) out of the cave before the conclusion of the tour, if needed.
• Use a park radio when needed to communicate with park staff.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Preferred: first aid/CPR certification and/or medical experience
• Work as a member of a team, communicate effectively, and follow instructions accurately.
• Behave in a professional, courteous, and safe manner while representing the National Park Service, especially when in the presence of park visitors.
• Arrive ON TIME at the proper location for volunteer duties, as agreed upon ahead of time by the Cave Tour Guide and the Volunteer Coordinator(s).
• Walk and hike over steep, rocky, damp, and/or uneven terrain, remain standing for extended periods of time, ascend, and descend uneven stone stairs, duck/stoop/bend/crouch to avoid obstacles while walking forward, and do all these things safely in a low-light environment and while carrying a flashlight.
• Perform volunteer duties outdoors in varying weather conditions, as well as in a cave environment, for extended periods of time.

Start Date - 2024-04-01

End Date - 2024-09-01

Activities include: Tour Guide/Interpretation;Visitor Information