Dakota County Parks

General Description

Enjoy the outdoors while also assisting park visitors with questions, directions and first aid care. Our patrol units offer a vital service to the trail programs by being trained individuals who are onsite to assist our park users with day to day operations and emergencies. Qualified candidates are enthusiastic and frequent users of our parks that want to serve as friendly ambassadors to our guests. Volunteer on your own time (no set schedule), while personally enjoying the trails, it doesn’t get better than that!

Locations

Be a part of the Ski Trail Patrol team at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings or Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Rosemount. Click here to learn more about cross country skiing in Dakota County Parks. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Help provide a safe and enjoyable experience to all park visitors.
• Provide directions and help answer questions.
• Assist in an emergency if you are onsite.
• Carry a cell phone with you while on patrol to be accessible to visitor center contact.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years old or older.
• Good physical fitness and customer service skills.
• Intermediate riding skill level.
• Must provide your own ski equipment.
• Completion of all required training.
• Complete a background check with the county (if applicable).

Benefits

• Free CPR/First Aid Training.
• Great way to gather hours for school requirements, professional development, etc.
• Set your own schedule and times.
• Great opportunity to grow personally: customer service, emergency prep, and people skills.
• A great team full of people who love what you already like to do.

Time Commitment

The Ski Trail Patrol team is a one-season commitment (winter-spring of each year). Volunteers are asked to commit to 30 hours per year. You are more than welcomed to hop on another patrol team after the snow melts and continue your volunteer time with us.  

Required Training

Volunteers must complete all training before volunteering on our patrol teams.

• Volunteer Patrol Training (Required) - December 4 at 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Zoom Meeting): This event will be recorded and made available for viewing at a later date if you cannot attend the live meeting. Meeting link will be sent out by email. 
  
• Volunteer Patrol Social (Optional) - December 10 at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (In-person): This event is not mandatory but we welcome everyone to come and enjoy dinner and a chance to mingle with other patrollers and learn more about the program. We also are giving away free swag! 
• CPR & First Aid Certification (Required) - This training will be hosted online and can be completed by the volunteer on their own time. 

Activity Level

Active - Involves physical exertion for an extended period of time; can involve rough, uneven or steep terrain. Not recommended for volunteers with physical limitations.

Contact Information

Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator

Dakota County Communications

1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033

Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us