Visitor Center Information Volunteer

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Two volunteer positions or two couples are needed to work with the public at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Visitor Center, 8 miles north of Ketchum to share information about the area by phone, email, in person, regarding opportunities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, rafting, mountain biking, scenic drives, historical sites, etc.

The volunteer should have excellent customer service skills, including phone etiquette, and have the ability to read and explain maps. Volunteer will provide 24 to 28 hours per week of service. The service also involves operating a cash register to sell books and maps, and print weather reports, collect the mail, assist with some administrative duties such as filing, checking supplies, bookstore ordering and stocking, copying brochures and flyers. One volunteer out of a couple would assist in taking care of the Visitor Center grounds and minor maintenance.

Please note: There are no lodging quarters, only full hook-up RV pads. Our location has limited cell service directly at the RV site, but most phones work at the Visitor Center, a short walk away. Internet works well in the VC, but not directly at the sites. However, movies/podcasts can be downloaded a short distance away from the RV pads. A mini booster can work at the site (you provide), or the closest public free Wi-Fi is in Ketchum, 10 minutes away. Another option is "Star-link" (you provide) and can service both RV pad locations and you can split the service with the other volunteer couple/person. Email can be accessed on a break while at the Visitor Center. The two RV pad locations are within walking distance to the Visitor Center. If you wish to have a quieter RV pad experience with lots of wilderness nearby but with close access to town, this is your spot! It is imperative that you get along well with the other volunteer(s), as they are in close proximity to each other. This position requires a background check for those who will need to be on the computer to access trail, road and weather reports.

Many free music opportunities, including the Sun Valley Symphony concerts and other activities abound in Ketchum during the summer months, as well as festivals, farmers markets, and hiking trails. Ketchum/Sun Valley area is truly a wonderful place to be in the summer, with endless wilderness, alpine lakes, towering peaks and hiking trails nearby. We have banks, grocery stores and nearby hospital/clinics in Ketchum. Major chains and box stores are available in Boise, 2.5 hours away, or Twin Falls, 1.5 hours away.

The Visitor Center itself is slow paced, with visitation topping out at 80 per day, with the average being 50 per day. If we have two volunteer couples or two single volunteers, hours will be approximately three 8-hour days working and four days off. We have educational displays about the area and its history and a small bookstore. You will be working with a Forest Service Information Assistant and Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8-4:30 p.m.

Work period is generally from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, although we can negotiate a week earlier start times for one couple or volunteer, and a later start/end time for the second couple or volunteer. Our busiest times are from mid-June to Labor Day. Evenings can be cold in the early season, but also temperatures in summer months can top out at 90 degrees for a couple of weeks. Our average daytime temps in the summer are mid-60's to mid-80's and lows in the 30's and 40's.

Start Date - 2025-05-23

End Date - 2025-09-05