It's Criminal Not to Talk About It
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Alcatraz Island Night Tour Volunteer
Join the Alcatraz Night Tour for an excellent and exciting opportunity to give back to your community!
The visitor services volunteer position is located on Alcatraz Island, the oldest permanent military installation, west of the Mississippi River. Alcatraz Island has served many roles in history. It has been a U.S. military fortification and prison (1850’s–1933), federal penitentiary (1934–1963), site of an occupation by American Indians (1969–1971), breeding site for many species of nesting birds and a part of the national park system since 1972. There is a lot of history to explore on this small rock in the San Francisco Bay!
Volunteers are an integral part of the Alcatraz staff. Working with the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy volunteers provide vital services to Alcatraz visitors.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The visitor services volunteer will lead behind-the-scenes impromptu tours and informal cell door demonstrations, hand out maps to visitors and direct visitors to programs. The visitor services volunteer will also staff closed areas of the prison open at night and assist in the closure of the island at the end of the Night Tour. Training will be provided and guidance will be available every step of the way. Opportunities for special projects may be available.
If the visitor services volunteer is interested in conducting formal interpretive programs during the Alcatraz Night Tour, they may apply for the interpretive volunteer position. Extra training is required for this position and will be provided by the Volunteer Program Supervisor.
DURATION
- Minimum of 10 hours per month, with a commitment of six months. Housing is not available.
- Hours from March–October, 1:45pm–9:45pm
- Hours from November–February 11:30am–7:30pm
- The Alcatraz Night Tour is held Thursday-Monday. We are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide excellent customer service
- Answer questions for visitors about Alcatraz history
- Research Alcatraz history
- Greet visitors coming off the boat
- Rove to create a presence, protect park resources and answer questions
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS DESIRED
- Interest in local cultural and natural history
- Ability to speak in front of large groups
- Ability to work with a culturally diverse population
- Ability to follow directions and work as a member of a team
- Desire to learn and try new things
- Bilingual skills helpful
BENEFITS
- Valuable, hands-on work experience
- Personal enrichment and experience working in a national park setting
- Experience in communicating with people of diverse cultures
- Opportunity to get to know the park site intimately
- Accrual of knowledge and skills necessary to perform interpretive functions and provide visitor information.