Point Reyes National Seashore - Volunteer: Snowy Plover Docent (U.S. National Park Service)

Overview
Snowy Plover Docents educate visitors about the natural history, plight, and protection of the threatened snowy plovers in Point Reyes National Seashore and help protect these nesting shore birds from disturbance by contacting park visitors on the beach and informing them about the seasonal beach closure to dogs. Snowy Plover Docents also provide general park information and assistance to visitors.

Duties

Works, often with another docent, at the North Beach, Kehoe Beach and Abbotts Lagoon trailheads and may independently rove the beach within the plover breeding habitat for the purpose of making contacts with visitors
May staff a snowy plover viewing area or rove the beach at Abbott’s Lagoon with the Snowy Plover Park Guide or Plover Monitoring Biologists
Informs visitors about the access restrictions and educates visitors about the natural history, plight, and protection of the snowy plovers
Uses a two-way radio to communicate with docent supervisor (Park Guide) and law-enforcement rangers when necessary
Provides general park information and assistance to visitors
Uses interpretive materials to help communicate information
Professionally represents the National Park Service by wearing an identifying docent vest and interacting with visitors in a friendly, courteous, tactful, and helpful manner

Snowy Plover Docents must possess very good oral communication skills with a diversity of people, be able to work independently, and be non-confrontational. Docents must also be able to spend a majority of the time standing, walking, and/or hiking; tolerate wind, fog, and cold, and blowing sand; and be comfortable around people and dogs.

Knowledge of the park and teaching experience is helpful.

Schedule and Time Commitment
Workdays are scheduled for 7 hours from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Docents are expected to work at least 7 weekend or holiday days from May 24 (Memorial Day weekend) through September 1 (Labor Day), 2008.

Training
Docents must attend a one-day Snowy Plover Docent training on Sunday, May 18, 2008.

Benefits to the Volunteer
Snowy Plover Docents gain personal enrichment and experience working in a national park setting as well as training and education about the snowy plovers and related park resources. Docents enjoy the satisfaction in helping to protect threatened nesting snowy plovers in addition to communicating with and helping park visitors while representing the National Park Service.

Group Type
Individuals are encouraged to participate.

Minimum Age
Minimum age is 18.

Accommodations
Housing and camping/RV sites are unavailable.

Application and Contact Information
Please apply under the "Current Opportunities" listing. For more information, contact Eric Stearns at 415-464-5124 or by email.

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