Park Host - Clover, SC

PARK HOST PROGRAM

GENERAL PROCEDURE SUMMARY

Our State Park, under the general guidelines set forth by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism's (SCPRT) Office of State Parks, has initiated a Park Host Program. The program offers opportunities for volunteers to assist with the operation and maintenance of the park. For the purpose of this document, a "volunteer" is considered to be any person that provides a service without benefit of wages from SCPRT. The following terms and procedures are in addition to those outlined in the S.C. State Parks Procedures and Training Manual, and in no way negate any conditions contained therein.

OBJECTIVE:

 To serve as a representative of our State Park (as well as the Office of State Parks) to campers and other park visitors by providing assistance and serving as information source; assist the park in providing a quality operation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

To be available to park visitors in order to render assistance and provide information; to ensure that the facilities and grounds are maintained in a condition that will ensure park visitor satisfaction; to project a positive image with regards to customer service, appearance codes, and personal conduct.

TYPE OF WORK:

The position involves standing for long periods of time, bending, stooping, walking on uneven surfaces, and medium lifting; exposure to weather conditions, cleaning agents, and other material used in maintaining park facilities.

The primary duty of the host will be to maintain the park in a manner following all park service guidelines as well as park specific guidelines provided in this document or given orally or in writing by the Ranger or Management staffs of the State Park.  Hosts will be responsible for (but not limited to) the daily cleaning of campground restrooms, picking up trash, blowing off campsites, cleaning out fire rings, painting and leveling signs and site posts and other duties as deemed necessary by park staff.  They will also assist in checking in campers, disseminating park information and providing customer service.

Hosts will be provided with a worklist each week by the ranger staff to direct the efforts and this list will need to be followed unless otherwise cleared with the staff.

NOTE: The host will NOT:

Take any action beyond an information level when violations are noticed.

Work Log/Scheduling:

Hosts once hired will be required to complete a work log showing what they were working on at what times and will be turned into the duty ranger every Monday by 9 a.m.

Maintenance hosts will be required to check in with the lead maintenance employee for that day for that days work.

Hosts will be given two days “off” per week to be determined upon arrival.  They will be given these days off each week and they will not be changed without one weeks notice.

SERVICE / TIME COMMITMENT / APPLICATION AND SELECTION:

The State Park Host Program will operate year round. It will consist of four (3) month volunteer service periods. The program will consist of 3-4 campground hosts, and 2-4 maintenance hosts serving overlapping periods. Exact arrival / departure dates to be determined during the application process.

The host will provide a minimum of twenty four (24) hours of service per week, actively pursuing the items covered in "TYPE OF WORK". In addition, the host must be available on an "as needed" basis at any time he / she are on the park.

Applications will be available year round, and can be accepted at the park or by mail. Applications will be valid for the following calendar year's service periods, only. If selected, qualified applicants will be allowed to host one (1) service period per year for up to two (2) consecutive years, after which, if they re-apply, their names will be placed at the bottom of the applicant pool until such time as one calendar year has expired (NOTE: An application must be submitted for each year, in compliance with the application process). Spouses may not apply separately for the purpose of extending or increasing the allowable service time as stated above.

First priority will be given to applicants with one (1) year’s experience (from the previous year) as host here.  Second priority will be given to the most qualified applicants on a first-apply, first –serve basis.

Selected applicants will be notified by mail and / or phone, no earlier than November 1.  Only selected applicants will be contacted after application. Those wishing to inquire as to the status of their application should do so only after We reserve the right to alter these service conditions in such cases as there are an insufficient number of qualified applicants, where the only qualified applicants have served the maximum allowable service time as defined in the above paragraph, or where an agreement is prematurely terminated.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Our State Park will accept volunteers without discrimination because of race, religion, color, political affiliation, physical disability, national origin, sex or age, except where sex or age is a bonafide occupational qualification.  Efforts will be made to select volunteers who can best provide the specific service in accordance with the park's goals and objectives. All applicable Department of Labor age restrictions relating to the operation of machinery, equipment, or type work must be observed.

Our State Park will make the necessary effort to recruit qualified volunteers; however, the park will only accept volunteers that meet the qualifications outlined for the Host Program. Potential volunteers will be evaluated on the basis of past work and / or volunteer experience, mental capacity, physical ability and willingness to serve as a State Park Host.

The host must be in a physical condition that will allow the items covered in “TYPE OF WORK" to be performed. The host must, also, be able to deal tactfully and cordially with the public.

Criteria for the Host Program:  Host must

provide his / her own camping unit

participate in a park level orientation

Sign the "Agreement for Individual Voluntary Services" form (This agreement may be terminated by either party. Insufficient or unsatisfactory work will be grounds for termination).

Must wear any uniform items designated for the campground host position according to the agency uniform guidelines.

BENEFITS:

A designated camp site will be provided for the host for the duration of his / her service period. Utilities will be provided at no charge. No permanent or semi-permanent facilities can be constructed on this site. The site will not give the appearance of a year-round resident.