This opportunity is curated through the UF TESI Environmental Leaders Network. Opportunities posted through the Network may not be affiliated with the Florida Museum or TESI, but are shared with UF undergraduate students who want to learn more about environmental research, education and outreach, and civic engagement.
Opportunity title
Ichetucknee Springs State Park Education Center/Museum Volunteer
Host organization/department
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Description
This position provides support to the state park’s visitor center by greeting visitors, orienting guests to the park and its resources, keeping the space tidy, and (most importantly) answering phone inquiries. Without this position, we have to close the space. Knowledge about the park is not required! We will train you. If the volunteer is interested, they can lead or assist with programs about water conservation, prescribed fires, Leave No Trace principles, safe outdoor recreation, and more.
Date & time
Summer priority, but can start now and extend into winter depending on volunteer availability and interest.
Why should students participate?
In the summer, our park can have as many as 6,000 visitors in a single day from all over the country or even internationally. To succeed, the volunteer will have to adjust their communication style to each person and learn to hear not word-for-word what they are asking but also the essence of what they are trying to learn. This is a great opportunity to learn to communicate with people of all kinds of backgrounds and with whom may disagree with you. This is especially important for those who want to get involved in environmental communication and education careers. Volunteering with Florida State Parks is also a great way to get your foot in the door with any career in the Florida State Parks or the larger Department of Environmental Protection. It will give you an advantage when applying for positions. Many of the park service’s highest personnel started as volunteers.
Who can students contact for more information?
Caitlin Gonsiorek, Park Services Specialist, caitlin.gonsiorek@floridadep.gov