Volunteer Activities
• Tour Guide/Interpretation
• Visitor Information
• General Assistance

Photo Courtesy of NPS

Honor George Washington by volunteering at the Washington Monument, the 555 foot obelisk that towers over Washington, DC. From here, one can have an unobstructed view to the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. Help us staff in the daily operation and interpretation of this iconic symbol.

Volunteers (VIPs) work primarily at the Washington Monument grounds alongside rangers and other VIPs. VIPs may situate themselves inside the lobby, at the top inside the pyramid or outside the entrance area. This includes providing information and answering visitor’s questions about the Washington Monument, other points of interests and providing directions.

Description of Duties:

The volunteer duties at the monument are two-folds, roving and operational. Volunteer rovers deflect and help answer questions while helping other VIPs and rangers concentrate on their operational tasks of ushering the visitors through the security checkpoint and into the monument in a timely manner.

Volunteer rovers can be deployed anytime while operational volunteers have set time to work the lines, check for tickets, ushering the visitors and operate the elevator. Many visitors are there early to get tickets, take advantage of the view and photo ops. Volunteer rovers can help visitors plan their days as well as answer any questions that might arise. Operational volunteers while inside make sure visitors stay safe and have a positive experience while also provide information.

Roving volunteers can essentially do the same shifts but are allowed to start early to greet visitors while some provide overlapping coverage to make sure shift change runs smoothly.

VIPs will be required to stand and walk for up to four hours at a time in variable weather conditions.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Interacting with visitors by answering questions about the Washington Monument and Washington, DC.

• Providing greetings, announcements, orientation, information, interpretation and friendly customer service.

• Distributing maps brochures and other printed materials.

• Monitoring the cleanliness of the monument inside and outside.

• Operating a “walkie-talkie”

• Ensuring that visitors comply with rules of safe, courteous and acceptable behavior.

• Responding to visitor emergencies.

   

Requirements:

The ideal candidate must have good communication skills. Knowledge of the Washington Monument and facts about other park sites and the local DC area is essential.

Also required:

Must be 16 years of age or older (exceptions can be made for younger applicants)

Position commitment of at least 3 months and a minimum of eight hours a month

Volunteer shirt and cap (provided); business casual slacks or khaki shorts (summer)

Minimum requirement is at least two days a month for at least one of the following time slots for operational support:

• 9:00am - 1:00pm

• 1:00pm - 5:00pm

The opening shift will need at least a 15-minute walk up from the Ranger Station to open the monument while the 1-5pm shift add an extra 15 minutes to properly close the monument.

Available dates and shifts to volunteer:

Monday - all shifts are available

Tuesday - all shifts are available

Wednesday - all shifts are available

Thursday - all shifts are available

Friday - all shifts are available

Saturday - all shifts are available

Sunday - all shifts are available

Support: 

Training for this position will be provided. In addition, guides, rangers, and supervisory personnel are always on hand and will be available for questions and assistance.

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Coordinator New Thanyachareon at new_thanyachareon@nps.gov

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available

We are advertising for two individuals for two separate office areas.

Incumbents will work primarily at the headquarters office building with park management staff and the Permit Office.

For Headquarters:

Incumbent is stationed at the front desk and will be responsible for answering phone calls; this includes providing information about the park as well as directions to callers. The incumbent also takes messages and relays same to appropriate personnel. The incumbent is also responsible for keeping the front desk area neat and organized.  

Must be able to use common office and communication equipment (multi-line telephones, desk top computers, copiers, fax machines, postage machine, etc.). Work is performed in an office that is closed to the public.  Work is primarily sedentary and takes place in a low-traffic, well-lighted, and climate-controlled space.

For the Permit Office:

Duties primarily consist of:

• Provide back up to the NPS staff person assigned to the front desk of the permit office.

• Answer the phone and deal with inquiries from the public about the permitting process.

• Listen to messages left on the answering machine and return calls. It may be necessary to consult with others to get answers before returning calls.

• Direct people to the website for further information and/or the necessary forms.

• Forward calls to the appropriate ranger.

• Greet visitors to the office for meetings or to drop off a permit application.

• Review the application to determine if the correct form had been used, if it was filled out completely and appropriate fees were attached. If correct, the permit application will need to be dated and time stamped when received.

• Pick up the permit office mail and review permits that arrived for the same issues.

• Telephone applicants immediately to advise them if the form they submitted was incorrect or incomplete.

• Create a folder for the permit application and enter it into the handwritten logbook after the NPS staff person assigns a permit application number and enters the application into the computer system. All permit applications are logged in chronologically by date received. Label the pending event on the master wall calendar in the office.

• File folders alphabetically by date (month and year) and permit number once permit applications are finalized.

• Turn in folders to the Chief for assignment. Once assigned, log in folders to the assignment book and distribute the folders to the appropriate ranger/staff person.

• Assists with other clerical duties such as copying, filing, shredding, stapling, distributing, etc.

It may take some time to become comfortable answering the most basic questions. The staff at the permit office are there to help.

Shifts are from 9am – 1pm or 1-5pm, Monday thru Friday.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate must have strong communication skills, and have proven organization and efficiency in their working style. Knowledge of the National Mall and facts about other park sites and the local area is essential.

Also required:

Must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid drivers license.

Position commitment of at least 3 months and a minimum of four hours a week.

VIP uniform (provided); business casual slacks or khaki shorts (summer)

Minimum requirement is one day weekly for at least three to four months:

• 9:00am - 1:00pm

• 1:00pm - 5:00pm

• 9:00am - 3:00pm

Available Day(s):

Monday thru Friday

Support: 

Training for this position will be provided. In addition, guides, rangers, and supervisory personnel are always on hand and will be available for questions and assistance.

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available

Volunteer Activities
• Visitor Information
• General Assistance

Photo Courtesy of NPS

Description

The Trails & Rails program is a partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service that connects travelers to the heritage and natural resources of a specific region while traveling by rail.  On Saturdays between March and December, volunteer guides ride aboard Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train from Union Station in Washington, DC to Penn Station in New York, NY.  After a brief layover they embark on the return journey.  The entire round trip takes about 10 hours, making for an exciting, yet arduous, day.  Volunteers must meet Amtrak’s requirements for physical fitness.  Tasks performed may include but are not limited to:

Interacting with passengers by answering questions about National Park Service (NPS) sites along the route and providing information intended to encourage visitation and stewardship at those particular sites

Providing interpretation, customer service, and trip planning recommendations

Maintaining and distributing maps, pamphlets, brochures and other printed materials

Making informational announcements over the train’s intercom system

Operating an Ipad connected to Amtrak wi-fi

Walking aisles to greet travelers

Recording the number of interactions with riders

Maintaining a trip log to record interactions and noteworthy occurrences during both trips and sending log to Lead Trails & Rails Volunteer promptly after return trip is complete

Time Commitment:

Minimum 50 hours per calendar year

Minimum 1 year commitment

12 hours of training in February at Union Station in Washington, DC (counts as part of 50 hour minimum)

Questions? 

Please contact Trails & Rails Coordinator Ron Grissom at james_grissom@nps.gov

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available

Volunteer Activities
• Office/Clerical
• Visitor Information
• General Assistance

Photo Courtesy of NPS

Description
 

Receptionist duties:

The Receptionist works primarily at Survey Lodge on the Washington Monument grounds alongside park rangers. Incumbent is stationed at the front desk of Survey Lodge and will be responsible for answering phone calls; this includes providing information about the park as well as directions to callers. The Receptionist also takes messages and relays same to appropriate personnel. The incumbent is also responsible for keeping the front desk area neat and organized.  

Receptionists will use common office and communication equipment (multi-line telephones, desk top computers, copiers, fax machines, two-way radios, etc.). Work is performed in an office that is closed to the public.  Work is primarily sedentary and takes place in a low-traffic, well-lighted, and climate-controlled space.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate must have strong communication skills, and have proven organization and efficiency in their working style. Knowledge of the Washington Monument and facts about other park sites and the local area is essential.

Also required:

Must be 16 years of age or older (exceptions can be made for younger applicants)

Position commitment of at least 3 months and a minimum of eight hours a month

VIP shirt and cap (provided); business casual slacks or khaki shorts (summer)

Minimum requirement is one day biweekly (every other week) for at least one of the following time slots:

• 9:00am - 1:00pm

• 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Available dates and shifts to volunteer:

Monday - both shifts are available

Tuesday - both shifts are available

Wednesday - both shifts are available

Thursday - afternoon shift is available

Saturday - both shifts are available

Sunday - both shifts are available

Support: 

Training for this position will be provided. In addition, guides, rangers, and supervisory personnel are always on hand and will be available for questions and assistance.

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available

Volunteer Activities
• Construction/Maintenance
• Conservation Education
• Historical Preservation
• Other
• General Assistance
• Weed/Invasive Species Control

Photo Courtesy of NPS

Note: This opportunity is for groups of 15 +

Does your organization want to plan a day of service? Perhaps you would like to give back by completing a service project on the National Mall! Volunteers assist in a myriad of fun and meaningful projects that help to maintain the park and ensure enjoyment of visitors, present and future.

Some examples of projects include landscape work, minor tree pruning, gardening, staining park benches, painting, and general clean-up of the park on the Mall itself or at one of the iconic memorials. Tools and gloves are provided. Most projects take place between 9am and noon on weekdays and weekends. Volunteer(s) can receive community service hours for these projects.

The mission of the National Mall and Memorial Parks is to manage, preserve, and maintain the monuments, memorials, and historic sites in the heart of Washington, D.C., and to provide opportunities for all Americans and park visitors to understand and be inspired by their significance. By volunteering, you can help advance the National Park Service mission and have a lasting effect on generations to come. Join in the fun!

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available

Volunteer Activities
• Construction/Maintenance
• Conservation Education
• Historical Preservation
• Visitor Information
• General Assistance
• Weed/Invasive Species Control

Photo Courtesy of NPS

Volunteers work on general maintenance tasks throughout the year. As necessary, work parties are organized from a pool of available volunteers, but individual volunteers frequently work independently. Activities include picking up trash and recyclables, weeding gardens, planting flowers and shrubs, painting park benches, shoveling snow in winter, and monitoring the park for intricate maintenance to be completed by the National Park Service. Special events and observances take place in the park from time to time. Volunteers are on call and frequently asked to help with these events as they occur. 

HOUSING & AMENITIES
Not Available