Lake Manatee State Park Volunteer Information
The following Volunteer positions are open at Lake Manatee State Park:
Campground Host
Work Location: Park Campground
Project Duration: Ongoing
Minimum Hours: 20 Hours a week
Description of Duties: Volunteer will be working with visitors and will be representing the Florida Park Service. A high level of professionalism is required when speaking with the public. Volunteer is responsible for maintaining clean restrooms and campsites. Volunteer will assist visitors with directions and program information, interpret exhibits, and monitor safety of visitors, and check with supervisor and ranger station staff for updates and any special assignments. Volunteers will inform employees about daily status of park and alert them of any maintenance issues. Volunteers are encouraged to make suggestions for improvements in operation through their immediate supervisor. Volunteer is responsible for always having the proper personal protection equipment and practicing safe work habits at all times.
Benefits to Volunteer:
• Personal enrichment and experience working for the Florida Park Service
• Experience in communicating with people in diverse cultures
• Meeting and making new relationships with other volunteers, staff and visitors
Goal/Outcome of job:
• Create a welcoming experience to park visitors
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
• Enjoy talking with people
• Enjoy being out of doors
• Knowledge of Florida native animals and plants helpful
Ground Maintenance and Field Assistant
Work Location: Park Grounds
Project Duration: Ongoing
Description of Duties: Volunteer will be responsible for assisting park rangers or may be asked to perform tasks without supervision. Examples of work projects include the following: maintaining trails, fence lines and fire breaks, clean and maintain equipment, picking up debris from road shoulders, mowing and trimming park grounds and fence lines. Training on all park equipment is required before use. Volunteer should be able to answer visitor questions or direct them to someone who can. Volunteer is encouraged to take the initiative to get involved in projects in which their talents and interests would be best suited. Work collectively to support all areas of the park. Volunteer is responsible for always having the proper personal protection equipment and practicing safe work habits at all times.
Benefits to Volunteer:
• Personal enrichment and experience working for the Florida Park Service
• Professional grade equipment experience
• Experience in communicating with people in diverse cultures
• Meeting and making new relationships with other volunteers, staff and visitors
Goal/Outcome of job:
• Maintaining resource-based recreation
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
• Experience with chainsaws, hand tools, operating tractors and heavy equipment.
• Mechanical skills are always needed
• Familiarity with Florida exotic plants is helpful
• Knowledge of local area and resources helpful
Office Assistant
Location: Ranger Station
Project Duration: Ongoing
Description of Duties: Volunteer is responsible for visitor services and office operations at the ranger station. Position involves greeting park visitors and campers, providing park information, answering telephone calls, making copies of handouts, taking admission fees, registering campers and reconciling shift reports. Volunteer will be responsible for distributing park service and local information, taking reservations for the pavilion and selling park merchandise and passes. Volunteer is responsible for always having the proper personal protection equipment and practicing safe work habits at all times.
Benefits to Volunteer:
• Personal enrichment and experience working for the Florida Park Service
• Retail and customer service job experience
• Experience in communicating with people in diverse culture
• Meeting and making new relationships with other volunteers, staff and customers
• Experience with using computer programs such as Excel, Word, Reserve America
Goal/Outcome of job:
• Provide efficient courteous service, and helpful information to park visitors
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
• Good oral communications
• Comfortable dealing with money
• Knowledge of local area and resources helpful
• Computer experience helpful
• Bi-lingual skills helpful
Picnic Area Maintenance
Location: Day use area
Project Duration: Ongoing
Description of Duties:
Volunteer will be working around visitors and will be representing the Florida Park Service. A high level of professionalism is needed when speaking with the public. Volunteer is responsible for maintaining clean restrooms and may be asked to assist campground host in preparing campsites for incoming campers. Volunteer will assist visitors with directions and program information, interpret exhibits, and monitor safety of visitors, check with supervisor and ranger station staff for updates and any special assignments. Volunteers will inform park staff about daily status of park and alert them of any maintenance issues. They are responsible for the cleanliness of the day-use areas which including the swimming area, picnic area, boat ramp and the trails leading to these areas. Volunteer is responsible for always having the proper personal protection equipment and practicing safe work habits at all times.
Benefits to Volunteer:
• Personal enrichment and experience working for the Florida Park Service
• Experience in communicating with people in diverse cultures
• Meeting and making new relationships with other volunteers, staff and visitors
Goal/Outcome of job:
• Create a welcoming experience to park visitors
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
• Enjoy talking with people
• Enjoy being out of doors
• Knowledge of Florida native animals and plants helpful
Resource Management
Location: Park Grounds
Project Duration: Ongoing
Description of Duties:
Volunteer will be responsible for assisting park rangers or may be asked to perform tasks without supervision. Examples of work projects: maintaining trails, fence lines and fire breaks, physical and chemical exotic plant removal, tracking and mapping of treated areas, wildlife observations, clean and maintain equipment. Training of all equipment is required before use. Volunteer should be able to answer visitor questions or direct them to someone who can. Volunteer is encouraged to take the initiative to get involved in projects in which their talents and interests would be best suited. Work collectively to support all areas of the park. Volunteer is responsible for always having the proper personal protection equipment and practicing safe work habits at all times.
Benefits to Volunteer:
• Personal enrichment and experience working for the Florida Park Service
• Professional grade equipment experience
• Experience in communicating with people in diverse cultures
• Meeting and making new relationships with other volunteers, staff and visitors
Goal/Outcome of job:
• Maintaining resource-based recreation by controlling exotic, and maintaining fire breaks
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
• Experience with chainsaws, hand tools, operating tractors and heavy equipment
• Familiarity with Florida exotic plants is helpful
• Knowledge of local area and resources helpful
• GPS experience helpful
Special Requirements:
• Herbicide license helpful
