Garnet Ghost Town Volunteer (Historical Interpretation and Visitor Center Sales)

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Garnet Ghost Town BLM is looking for volunteers who are willing to commit 32-40 hours a week and a minimum of one month (up to four months), to work alongside interpretive rangers; sharing information with visitors and leaving them with a greater understanding and appreciation of the historic mining town.

Description

The Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking volunteers for Garnet Ghost Town. Volunteers are required to work 32-40 hours per week/four-five days a week. Volunteers must be willing to commit to a one month minimum.

Garnet Ghost Town is a historic gold mining town located at about 6000’ elevation in the Garnet Mountain Range in Granite County, Montana. The ghost town is managed by the BLM. Garnet Preservation Association (GPA), the private non-profit partner of the BLM manages the gift shop portion of the visitor center. The site consists of preserved historic buildings, a visitor center, and interpretive trails. Garnet Ghost Town is open year-round, but only fully staffed May-October, depending on weather. The nearest city is Missoula, Montana, located about 40 miles from Garnet.

Lodging is available for volunteers at the ghost town. These lodgings include three primitive cabins and two RV sites. Each cabin has one to two beds, kitchen area, table, chairs, propane cook stove, propane refrigerator,, and a woodstove for heat. There is no electricity or running water in the cabins. Water is available on site at three different locations from water spigots. Beyond the three public outhouses, there are two private outhouses and a shower house (located at the RV Pad) for volunteer and staff use. Shower house consists of a shower, sink, toilet, washer, and dryer. At the RV Pad, there are two sites, 30-amp hookups, water, propane, and septic. Our electricity comes from a solar/generator set up, so electricity use at the RV sites is very limited (i.e., no RV A/C use on our system). There is limited cellphone service on site.

Duties

Duties include staffing the visitor center/gift shop, orienting visitors to the site, providing directions, and historic information about the ghost town and surrounding areas, conducting gift shop sales (handling money, operating a computer sales system, monitoring inventory, and balancing drawer at end of day), giving tours and light duty maintenance. Volunteers are also expected to assist the park rangers in guided school and group tours and provide impromptu tours to visitors. Duties may vary day to day. Training will be provided.

The BLM will provide volunteers with uniform vests and nametags.

Qualifications

Volunteers must have the ability to speak easily to the public on an individual and group basis and have the ability to learn about the area history and share that knowledge with visitors. Volunteers must also have a willingness to work and get along with a diverse blend of co-workers and visitors and be able to deal with the public in positive and professional manner. Volunteers also must be able to stand for long periods of time, be able to walk one to three miles on uneven terrain and be able to work at high elevations.

Start Date - 2025-05-01

End Date - 2025-10-15