Job Descriptions for Volunteers

at the Falls of the Ohio State Park

Volunteer Job Description

Collections Curator

Supervisor: Interpretive Naturalist in charge of collections or Property Manager

Training: Detailed orientation to the collections storage will be provided, including the proper techniques to handle specimens. Specific training may be required for numbering, measuring, data entry, photography and conservation. Safety and security guidelines are provided.

Qualifications: Interest in history or science. Ability to use a computer and learn the database program. Ability to learn and use conservation techniques for cleaning artifacts when necessary. Ability to write or adhere small numbers on specimens.

Objective: Curator works with the Interpretive Center historical artifacts and natural history specimens in the collections storage areas or in the supervisor’s work area when doing data entry.

Responsibilities may include the following tasks:

1. Catalog artifacts and specimens as outlined in training.
2. Learn and practice with the information and methods provided during training.
3. Follow safety and security guidelines outlined in training.
4. Work in a professional manner and treat all items as if they are irreplaceable.
5. To avoid potential conflict of interest, before you begin please report interests in collecting if they overlap with the objects in collections.
6. Must be able to work independently, but should bring technical problems to the attention of the supervisor when they arise.
7. May require bending, lifting, stretching, carrying, using a step ladder, precision manipulation, cutting foam or paper, cleaning specimens, working with adhesives, etc.

Volunteer Job Description

Gardener / Grounds

Supervisor: Interpretive Naturalist, Laborer or Property Manager

Training: Will be done by appropriate staff and will be specific to your assigned work area.

Qualifications: Enjoys being outdoors and getting hands dirty. Ability to distinguish plants in the garden from weeds is required. Must be able to work independently and come in on a regular basis. You must be able to haul garden hoses.

Objective: Maintain adopted garden area on a regular basis.

Responsibilities may include the following tasks:

1. Garden area will be assigned by Interpretive Naturalist or Property Manager.
2. Become familiar with the plants and weeds in your garden.
3. Be able to respond to questions about the gardens to all park visitors.
4. Pick up trash in the gardens.
5. Follow safety guidelines when using all tools.
6. Notify interpretive naturalists or property manager if someone (or weather) has caused damage to the gardens.
7. May be involved with weeding, planting, deadheading, watering, seed collection, etc.

Volunteer Job Description

Roving Naturalist

Supervisor: Interpretive Naturalist

Training: Observe the various naturalist staff members for several sessions while they lead hikes. Rove when you are comfortable with the required duties. Pair up with another volunteer.

Qualifications: Ability to be polite to all; neat appearance; pleasant speaking voice; ability to walk for extended periods of time over irregular terrain. Must be able to work independently.

Objective: Provide interpretive services for visitors on the fossil beds, the woodland trail or at the cabin.

Responsibilities may include the following tasks:

1. Familiarize yourself with the surroundings – including identification of common fossils, flora and fauna as well as history of structures visible from the deck or cabin.
2. Learn and practice with the information and methods provided during training.
3. Be helpful and informative to all park visitors.
4. Observe visitors to deter illegal removal of rocks, fossils or plants from the park. Politely remind visitors that such removal is illegal and signs are posted at all access points to the fossil beds.
5. Follow the safety and security guidelines outlined in training.
6. Notify interpretive naturalists or property manager if someone causing damage to the park ignores your warning. (Notify park staff if you are not comfortable asking visitors to stop collecting, vandalizing, etc.)
7. Greet visitors and encourage them to return with family and friends when they depart.

Volunteer Job Description

School Group Assistant

Supervisor: Interpretive Naturalist

Training: Observe groups for several sessions. Job-shadow a naturalist or experienced volunteer until you are comfortable with the required duties.

Qualifications: Ability to be polite to all; comfortable in crowded and noisy situations, neat appearance; pleasant speaking voice; ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time.

Objective: Work with one class from arrival to departure. You will meet with the interpretive naturalists before the group arrives to get assigned to a specific class (typically “A,” “B,” or “C”) and get instructions as to the type of program, whether the group has pencils and activity sheets, and any special needs.

Responsibilities may include all or part of the following tasks:

1. Greet your assigned class at the bus or in lobby.
2. Introduce yourself to the teacher, chaperons and students.
3. Guide the class to their assigned starting point (which may be the lobby, exhibit gallery, movie, kids corner, deck or library).
4. Make sure that class has the grade-appropriate activity sheet
5. Distribute the magazine “clip boards.”
6. Distribute and collect pencils as needed.
7. Get group into the movie on time; bring them out afterwards and guide to their assigned area.
8. Work with students who are struggling to answer questions. Show them the exhibit where their answer can be found.
9. Work with the teacher and chaperons to keep the class together and their voices low (especially in the lobby)
10. Help insure that a chaperon is with a group of no more than 5 students in gift shop.
11. Make sure that the students do not pile up in the hall way or in the lobby while waiting to get into the gift shop.
12. Insure that if your group needs to gather together, it is done in the river or bird observation room and not in the lobby.
13. Assist lab instructor – indoors or outdoors – with class.
14. Guide class out the rear door when they are ready to depart for picnic or school. Keep them out of the lobby unless they are picking up their lunches that may be stored there.
15. Help class recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles, and see that other trash is properly disposed of if the group picnics here.
16. Bid group “fair well” when they depart and encourage them to comeback with family and friends.

Created August 9, 2010, Updated November 8, 2010