Isle Royale National Park Visitor Services & Interpretation Student Intern

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This position is located at Isle Royale National Park, located in northern Michigan, on an island in Lake Superior. Primary duties are staffing the visitor center desk and sales area, providing trip-planning assistance, and disseminating information in person or via mail, telephone, or electronic mail (if background check cleared for computer use.). Duties may also include assisting with, or conducting interpretive programs (i.e. orientations, talks and hikes), helping to prepare for special events, or helping to construct temporary displays and exhibits. This position is primarily geared for university students looking to explore public lands opportunities though all applicants will be considered.

MAJOR DUTIES

As a uniformed volunteer with the National Park Service, the volunteer serves as a front-line representative of the agency while giving an interpretive program. The volunteer is responsible for providing current, accurate information on Isle Royale National Park and the National Park Service (NPS) to visitors, along with information on surrounding areas. The volunteer will be responsible for planning a program from start to finish and/or using a park established program under the guidelines given by the Lead District Interpreter. The volunteer explains other recreational opportunities, including national park interpretive services and concession facilities and services. The volunteer is responsible for the safety of the visitors while on a designated interpretive program and informs visitors of potential safety hazards; provides directions and routes of travel through the park.

The volunteer may also perform a variety of general office duties, including answering telephones, responding to written or phone requests for information, filing, typing and duplicating informational handouts. The volunteer operates a variety of office machines, including cash registers, calculators, typewriters, copiers, computers (subject to background check), and telephone/fax machines.

The volunteer staffs the visitor center front desk when needed and assigned by the Lead District Interpreter, provides trip planning information, publications, and general information to help visitors find their way through the park.

The volunteer staffs the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association sales outlet, makes sales using a cash register, inventories stock, and keeps display area stocked and neat in appearance at all times.

The volunteer may also perform any or all of the following duties in the course of completing their work. These duties are secondary to the primary duties and constitute 20% or less of the duties of the position.

· Collecting fees, issuing permits, assisting with transportation operations.

· Performing roving contact at a variety of park locations.

· Assisting other park staff at special events.

· Going into the field to familiarize self with area resources.

· Assisting, as needed, with basic emergency response.

FACTORS

To perform the duties of this position, the volunteer must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

· Knowledge of NPS mission and goals.

· Knowledge of the park and operations.

· Public speaking skills.

· Skill in the handling of cash, checks, and credit cards, and ability to complete mathematical calculations and make change.

· Ability to operate an electronic cash register, credit card machine, calculator, typewriter, and computer.

· Knowledge of NPS and park fee collection guidelines and procedures.

· Ability to communicate effectively and deal with a high volume of personal contacts in a courteous, friendly, tactful, and intelligent manner.

Supervisory Controls

The volunteer works under the direct supervision of the Lead District Interpreter. After receiving specific instructions, the volunteer performs routine assignments independently. The supervisor is available when problems or unusual situations arise. Supervisor spot checks routine work for accuracy, with closer review performed for more difficult or non-routine assignments.

Complexity

The volunteer contacts visitors, conducts sales, disseminates information and is frequently required to perform multiple tasks during high volume visitation. Assignments are primarily repetitive, consisting of clearly defined tasks. Questions regarding non-routine tasks are referred to the supervisor.

Scope and Effect

The results of the incumbent's activities contribute to visitor enjoyment and understanding of the park area and the public’s appreciation of the National Park Service mission. These activities affect the NPS and its employees, visitors, land managers, and neighbors.



Personal Contacts

The volunteer has daily contacts with the visiting public, other volunteers, park staff, researchers, and concessions staff. These people represent a cross section of the nation and of other countries of the world. Visitors are of all ages, and from all social, ethnic, and economic groups. The volunteer has contact with park visitors for the purpose of providing information about area facilities, services, activities and recreational opportunities. Public contacts occasionally include dealing with visitor complaints and conflicts, although these are typically referred to the supervisor.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Standing for long periods of time, walking, bending, lifting of moderately heavy items, and sedentary work is required. Work is performed outdoors and indoors in both a visitor center and office setting. Trips to park field locations or local travel may be required. While outdoors, the volunteer may be subject to working in adverse weather conditions, uneven terrain, lifting heavy objects, and biting insects.

Start Date - 2025-05-05

End Date - 2025-09-26