High School Volunteer - Summer Resource Worker - MBISP
Purpose
A volunteer opportunity to explore the conservation career field by working with professional DNR staff in a park setting and completing meaningful work that will have a positive impact on the natural resources and recreational opportunities of the state park.
Desired outcomes
Volunteer will complete meaningful resource management and buildings and grounds maintenance work that will have a positive impact on the ecological communities and recreational opportunities of the park. Volunteer will experience work involved in maintaining a park's natural resources and facilities and work alongside professional park staff as a way of gaining education and experience in the trade and exploring conservation as a possible future career field.
Impact this position will have
- Removal of invasive flora and other conservation work beneficial to the park's ecological community.
- Assistance with buildings and grounds maintenance and upkeep necessary for park operation.
- Provide opportunity for volunteer to have a positive influence on their local community by working to enhance the natural environment and public facilities present at a public recreation location.
Benefits to the volunteer
- Experience: natural resource work, facility maintenance work, working with others, work in state park/conservation field
- Impact: work that positively influences local community and the state park's natural resources and recreation opportunities
Responsibilities (duties and tasks)
Authorized work:
Natural resource work, including:
- Invasive plant removal via hand-pulling, seed head cutting, stem cutting, or use of hand tools,
- Buckthorn cutting via hand tools,
- Pesticide application on cut buckthorn stumps via the Buckthorn Blaster,
- Other resource work as assigned that volunteer is willing to complete and has been properly trained and equipped to complete safely
Assisting park staff in buildings and grounds maintenance work, including:
- Grounds cleanup (litter, branches, cleaning firepits)
- Building cleaning
- Observation of and assistance with other facility upkeep work completed by park staff as properly trained and able to complete safely
Restricted work:
- Driving vehicles
- Fueling vehicles
- Using power saws or drill press
- Using a ladder
- Handling wild animals
- Handling chemicals that the volunteer has not been trained to use
- Cleaning areas that contain risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens without receiving DNR blood borne pathogen training
- Completing any work without proper use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Any other work that the volunteer has not been properly trained or equipped to complete safely
Qualifications
- Enthusiasm for completing conservation work at a state park
- Willingness to work with others
- Ability to work outdoors in conditions that can include sunny, wet, rough terrain, wooded and/or thick vegetation
- Willingness to comply with state PPE, safety standards, and culture of respect
- Completion of required training prior to beginning work
Volunteer expectations
Volunteers are expected to follow the DNR workplace behaviors when interacting with staff and the public:
- Be open and honest. Communicate your ideas, concerns, and questions with staff early and often.
- Respect others. Treat everyone how they want to be treated and with respect.
- Work together. Take pride in your volunteer role and listen to coworkers.
- Respect departmental processes. Understand and follow park rules and safety policies.
- Value safety. Put safety first, and demonstrate safety for others.
Training
Trainings can be accessed electronically in the “files” section of the volunteer’s profile in MyImpact.com
Required trainings for this position:
- Basic Rules of Safety in the DNR
- Hazardous and Poisonous Plants
- Hazards and Unsafe Conditions
- Heat and Cold Related Illness
- Ticks
- UV Protection from the Sun
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Worker's Compensation Information
- Buckthorn Blaster Training Video and Quiz (found online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/volunteer-safety-resources.html)
Additional information
This is a seasonal volunteer position designed for high school students. Time commitment and schedule is flexible. Looking for one or two days a week. For more information and to get connected, contact Myre-Big Island State Park staff at myrebigisland.statepark@state.mn.us or at 507-668-7061.
