Title: Visitor Center Volunteer

Relation to mission

To educate Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hikers and visitors to ATC HQ to enjoy, appreciate, and protect the A.T.

Purpose

To ensure a positive experience for those visiting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) visitors center, to complement the staff in providing information about the A.T. and ATC to the public, and to assist in recruiting new members.

Responsibilities


  • Provide a friendly greeting and orientation to those visiting the ATC visitor center, tailoring that process to visitors’ needs and interests. (Number of visitors ranges from low of 1 or 2 in winter to as many as 100 or more in summer.)
  • Inspire visitors to support the A.T. through membership in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
  • Recommend local hikes to visitors and offer information about local services and attractions.
  • Ring up purchases and memberships on cash register.
  • Reflect Leave No Trace principles in responses to the public.
  • Photocopy information handouts.
  • Assemble information packets 
  • (Weekdays only): After training period, respond to information calls and email inquiries, redirecting to staff whenever volunteer does not have background or resources to answer accurately or completely.
  • Assist staff in keeping visitor center clean and tidy and keeping information materials stocked.
  • Keep track of volunteer hours in the Volunteer Register

Qualifications


  • Enjoys meeting people.
  • Good listener.
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Customer service experience.
  • Familiarity with Harpers Ferry area day-hikes, services, and attractions or willingness to explore them to be able to explain them to visitors.
  • Familiarity with Appalachian Trail and Appalachian Trail Conservancy or willingness to acquire knowledge.
  • Willingness to learn new tasks and information; willingness to ask questions when unclear about information or procedures.
  • Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles, skills and practices appropriate to the Appalachian Trail, or willingness to learn.

Benefits


  • Discount on merchandise (after 8 hours)
  • The satisfaction of helping visitors learn about, enjoy and appreciate the Appalachian Trail.
  • The satisfaction of making hikers’ visits to ATC and Harpers Ferry more pleasant, meaningful, and memorable.
  • The satisfaction of helping generate support for the A.T.

Supervisors


  • Primary – Laurie Potteiger, Information Services Coordinator
  • Secondary – Dave Tarasevich, Visitor Services Representative

Time Commitment

Required: Two days a month for a minimum of three months. Ideal - One full day (8:45 am – 5:15 pm) per week. 
We recognize volunteers will occasionally have other commitments and will take vacations.

To Apply

Fill out the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters Volunteer Application, and send to Laurie Potteiger, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 or email to [email protected].