Trail Volunteer Management Internship

At the Bay Area's doorstep are some of the most beautiful and diverse parklands anywhere. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the world's largest national parks in an urban setting encompassing 80,000 acres of California coastal landscape visited by 17 million people each year. These parklands add immeasurably to the quality of life in the Bay Area.

The Trail Volunteer Management Internship offers the experience to work in conjunction with the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Presidio Trust within the GGNRA parkland boundaries. Trails Forever, a park wide initiative launched in 2003, was designed to accomplish the mission of creating a world class trail system by utilizing community stewards in improving the quality of trails, supporting resource preservation and engaging the community in sustaining the parks trail system in perpetuity.

Position Overview: 

The Trail Volunteer Management Intern will assist the Trails Stewardship Program Manager in the administration of the Trails Volunteer Program. In addition, the Trail Volunteer Management Intern will assist in the field with volunteer construction and maintenance projects on park trails in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties.

Responsibilities:

• Volunteer Communications/Outreach: Assist with correspondence with volunteers by providing initial program information and initiating follow-up calls.
• Workday Planning and Participation: Organize and facilitate volunteer workdays including workday introduction, participation in trail construction and maintenance, and volunteer management.
• Volunteer Recruitment: Assist in recruitment of new volunteers.
• Maintain the Trails Forever volunteer database and provide program statistics for the purpose of grant reporting and internal tracking.
• Help organize and plan special volunteer recognition events.
• Create display materials (posters, flyers, slide shows, etc) to promote participation in volunteer program.
• Assist park staff with the construction of erosion controlled structures, construction of bridges and boardwalks, routine maintenance duties such as brushing trails, out sloping tread and clearing drainage structures.
• Complete work tasks as instructed, keep daily work log and demonstrate proper work procedures and methods while working on the field with other volunteer groups.
• Follow guidelines in making safety a priority; responsible for use of personal protective gear and insuring that all tools, equipment, vehicles and other co-workers are working safely in all related conditions.
• Ability to follow instructions from all park staff, understand and respect all park regulations and policies.
• Ability to be calm and courteous during stressful situations.
• Enjoy working with a diverse community of people.
• Ability to work with a professional demeanor as a part of a team.
• Proudly wear the NPS volunteer uniform during working hours.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with volunteers.
• Enthusiasm and experience with public speaking and contact.
• Familiarity and/or desire to learn how to operate tools to perform trail work including, but not limited to; power drill, rock bar, single jack, shovel, rake, axe, brushing sheers, weed trimmers and other trail maintenance tools.
• Ability and/or desire to experience trail maintenance work, including but not limited to; cribbing walls, turnpikes, drainage dips, swales, installation of water bars, retaining walls, removal of brush and vegetation.
• Familiarity with and/or desire to learn natural and cultural history of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the role of trails in protecting these resources.
• Computer experience in Microsoft Office Suite, PageMaker, Photoshop and ArcGIS.
• Desire to work both outdoors and indoors. Willingness to perform strenuous physical activity such as frequent bending and lifting and caring heavy weights, sometimes in inclement weather and terrain.

Working Conditions:

Work is often performed outdoors in hilly terrain near the Pacific Coast in elevations from sea level to 2000 feet.  Weather conditions range from hot, dry and dusty to foggy, cold and rainy. Interns may work and operate equipment in adverse conditions that include extended exposure to sun, wind, rain, loud noise, uneven terrain, mud and various insects.  There is a frequent exposure to poison oak and ticks.  At times work will include strenuous physical labor.  Indoor work is performed in a typical office setting.

Application deadline: March 9, 2012
Desired start date: Early to Mid-April
Length of position: One year from start
Schedule:  40 hours per week, Tuesday thru Saturday
Age requirement: 21 years or older
Reliable transportation required: Yes
Driver's license required: Yes
Does position provide out-of-pocket expenses? Yes, $125/week.
Does position provide housing? Yes. Dorm-style housing is provided in the Presidio in San Francisco.  

To Apply: 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter by March 9 to Ally Gregg-Zellars.