Hillsborough River State Park
Campground Hosts are park ambassadors. They perform a variety of tasks such as greeting visitors and handing out information, replacing restroom supplies, cleaning campsites, picking up litter, and informing the rangers about potential problems. Hosts serve as official greeters and must like people, be courteous, outgoing, and helpful to all park visitors. Host volunteers need to be physically capable of performing these duties. You will be scheduled to work varied days and hours, not to exceed 32 hours per week. Hosts are asked to give full attention to their volunteer effort by not accepting employment outside the park during their stay as hosts. We ask for at least a 60 day commitment.
We supply campground hosts with:
Free camping with hookups and a sign for your campsite
A Volunteer Orientation Guidebook about Florida State Parks
A uniform designating your status as volunteer - consisting of a cap, t-shirts, and name tag
Training by State Park personnel
Insurance for job-related medical costs
Goal/Outcome of Job: Make guests feel welcome and keep campground sites and restrooms clean and well maintained.
Supervisor: Assistant Park Manager or designee
Work location: Campground
Hours Required: Resident Volunteers: 5 days a week, (hours will vary with workload). We ask for a minimum of 20 hours/ week for one person and 32 hours/ week for a couple. There are usually 3 couples assigned campground host positions. Schedules can vary and overlap to suit individual desires or work-loads. A minimum of two-month commitment is required for this position and a maximum of 4 months is allowed.
Uniform: FPS Volunteer T-shirt with “black” trousers or shorts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Hospitality: Make guests feel welcome by providing information and assistance while conveying a friendly, professional Florida Park Service image.
Camp Monitor: Be aware of park rules and regulations; have copies of same to be given out to campers who do not seem to be aware of them. Always approach campers in a kind and respectful manner. Notify a ranger of any problems in the campground that cannot be resolved in the above manner. Call a ranger to report disturbances during quiet hour (11:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m.).
Campground Facility Maintenance: Inspect restrooms periodically for cleanliness and to keep appropriate supplies well stocked.
Make repairs as needed - replace burned-out light bulbs, repair leaks, etc.
Report vandalism to your supervisor and clean or make repairs as necessary.
Report maintenance/repair needs that you cannot handle to your supervisor provide them with a written list.
Keep the outside of the building looking nice–sidewalks swept, and cobwebs and mud daubers removed.
For All Volunteer Positions Keep In Mind:
Volunteers are selected on a variety of factors. Experience is preferred but not required. We understand that a major draw for Volunteers is to learn new skills, see new places and meet new people. Do not let any perceived shortcoming in experience ever deter you from applying for a volunteer position in the Florida Park Service. After all, variety is the spice of life.
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This is an excellent job sheet and describes the duties, benefits and requirements for most, if not all, the Campground Host positions in every Florida State Park. Below we have added a few more of the volunteer positions that some of the parks may need that do not involve working in a campground but will still get you a FREE Campsite in exchange for working.