Manatee Roving Interpreter Volunteer
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Manatee Roving Interpreter Volunteer
The Interpreter will share facts about the Florida manatee informally to visitors along the boardwalk and day use area, assist Park Staff with obtaining the morning manatee count, assist Manatee Interpreters with visitor services during the children manatee presentations, assist Park Staff with visitor services during the general public manatee presentations, keep record of visitor contacts while roving the boardwalk and keep record of attendance during manatee presentations.
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Location: Blue Spring State Park - Day Use Area
Duration: Mid November through Late March
Contact: Connor Wagner
Email: Connor.Wagner@FloridaDEP.gov
Phone: 386.775.3625
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Description of Duties:
The Interpreter will:
- Shares facts about the Florida manatee informally to visitors along the boardwalk and day use area.
- Assist Park Staff with obtaining the morning manatee count.
- Assist Manatee Interpreters with visitor services during the children manatee presentations.
- Assist Park Staff with visitor services during the general public manatee presentations.
- Keep record of visitor contacts while roving the boardwalk.
- Keep record of attendance during manatee presentations.
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Benefits to Volunteer:
Volunteering allows you to maintain a valuable Florida resource and provide visitors with a positive and comfortable experience. Volunteering allows you to share unique and important Florida resources with visitors from all over the world. It is an opportunity to gain and develop public speaking skills and learn about interpretation.
Volunteers are provided with a T-Shirt, name tag, and park specific training. Upon completion of 500 hours, volunteers receive an annual pass for all Florida State Parks. Volunteers are eligible for recognition and awards on a park, district and statewide level. Volunteers are also eligible for workers compensation if injured while volunteering. Volunteers are included in all park staff gatherings as well (potlucks, celebrations, holiday parties etc.)
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Standards of Performance:
- All information and interpretive programs must be in line with the Florida State Park’s mission and standards.
- This position requires adherence to a schedule agreed upon between the volunteer and the park. If the volunteer is unable to make the scheduled program, the park must be notified ahead of time.
- At all times, the volunteer is expected to be professional and courteous to park visitors.
- The Manatee Interpreter must have a willingness to use provided materials and seek outside materials to learn more about manatees and park resources.
- Management has the right to dismiss a volunteer at any time. The volunteer may choose to resign at any time.
- The Manatee Interpreter may be required to take training courses from time to time and completion of the training courses will be a condition to continue volunteering.
- Manatee Interpreter may NOT use park telephones, computers or any other equipment for personal use.
- The Manatee Interpreter will NOT drive or operate fire trucks, tractors, trailers, ATVs or chainsaws without prior permission from Park Management.
- Volunteers are viewed by the public as park staff and are recognized and evaluated by the public as such.
- Manatee Interpreter will not discuss confidential park information including park staff/volunteer/employee personal information with the public.
- Manatee Interpreter will not disclose the locations of any money, equipment or other park related sensitive items to the public.
- Manatee Interpreters are expected to maintain a professional attitude at all times.
- Any questions about the Manatee Interpreter duties should be directed at Park Management.
- Manatee Interpreters are expected to maintain a proper appearance at all times.
- No park vehicle will be operated after consuming alcohol of any amount.
- Personal safety is the responsibility of the Manatee Interpreter. All necessary Personal Protective Equipment will be provided by the park. Manatee Interpreter are required to wear a PPE as required for the task.
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience Desired:
Comfort with speaking publicly to varying sized groups of people is necessary. General knowledge of manatees, Florida’s ecosystems, history, and geology is welcomed, but it is not essential. Strong attention to detail and organizational skill are needed. The ability to work with others and alone.
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Special Requirements:
All volunteers must be friendly and courteous to visitors at all times, and uphold the image of the Florida State Parks.
Contact the Ranger Station if needed for non-compliant visitors.