Mount St. Helens Institute

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• Volcano Volunteers
• Campground Host
• Mountain Stewards
• Conservation Corps

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Conservation

Mountain Steward Volunteer Job Description

The Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI) Mountain Steward Volunteers provide important public education, resource protection and monitoring for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.  Mountain Stewards can choose to be involved as Mountain Climbing Stewards and/or Mountain Recreation Stewards.  These two Stewards duties may differ but time requirements, qualifications and physical expectations are very similar. 
   

Mountain Climbing Stewards

Mountain Climbing Stewards typically concentrate all of their efforts on the Mount St. Helens climbing route.

Specific Tasks:

• Perform trail and signage maintenance along the Monitor Ridge climbing route.
  
• Report conditions and resources to the Climbing Program Rangers at the US Forest Service.
  
• Co-lead expeditions to the top of Monitor Ridge.
  
• Perform facility and campsite maintenance at Climber’s Bivouac as well as at various established sites in the Mount Margaret Backcountry.
  
• Provide hikers/climbers on the Monitor Ridge trail with fee compliance, safety, and resource-protection messages along with general information about the volcanic landscape.
  
• Provide assistance to local vendors where permits are purchased.
  
• Support the installment of the blue-bag waste-disposal program.
  
• Experienced Mountain Climbing Stewards who have completed required training will be asked to mentor new Mountain Climbing Stewards.
  
• Mountain Climbing Stewards will report directly to staff of the US Forest Service. Human Resource paperwork, including monthly schedules, will go through the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Mountain Recreation Stewards

Specific Tasks:

• Represent the MSHI and US Forest Service in a positive way while educating the public.
  
• Guide participants on a variety of hikes throughout the trails of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest while providing a safe, fun and informative environment.
  
• Participate in trail maintenance and volunteer work parties with MSHI when available.
  
• Survey, report on and perform trail and signage maintenance within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (MSHNVM) including the Mount Margaret Backcountry.
  
• Perform facility and campsite maintenance at various established sites in the Mount Margaret Backcountry and report recreational conditions.
  
• Participate in the identification, reporting and eradication of invasive species within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with concentrated efforts on the MSHNVM.
  
• Provide visitors on the MSHNVM with fee compliance, safety, and resource-protection messages along with general information about the volcanic landscape and current eruption while representing both MSHI and US Forest Service in a positive and professional way.
  
• Experienced Mountain Recreation Stewards that have completed required training may be asked to mentor new Mountain Recreation Stewards.
  
• Mountain Recreation Stewards will work directly with MSHI to identify areas of need and volunteer scheduling.

Desired Qualifications for both positions:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
  
• Physically able to hike 10-15 miles a day with pack and equipment. See Physical Demands below for more information.
  
• Basic to advanced understanding of trail-maintenance concepts.
  
• Basic First Aid knowledge and training.
  
• Basic understanding of biological and geological concepts.
  
• Able to attend a variety of trainings.
  
• Should have excellent customer-service and communication skills as well as a desire to work with the public, as the Mountain Stewards may be the public’s only official contact while recreating.

Time Preferred for both positions:  Two to four days per month. 

Physical Demands:

Both the Mountain Climbing Steward and Mountain Recreation Steward positions are physically demanding. We ask that all applicants be able to hike steep terrain and be comfortable in the backcountry while packing trail-maintenance and safety equipment (as well as personal provisions) an average of 10-15 miles per day.

Mountain Climbing Stewards and Mountain Recreation Stewards must be able to perform a variety of maintenance duties which include but are not limited to: hiking/climbing steep terrain, carrying a pack (average weight 40 lbs.), using a hammer and other hand tools, bending at waist and knees, reaching, twisting at the hips, using long-handled tools for trail and facilities maintenance.

As this volunteer position is during the peak climbing season, Mountain Climbing Stewards and Mountain Recreation Stewards must be comfortable with physical exertion in hot, exposed areas.

Benefits Provided:

• Volunteer uniforms.
  
• The opportunity to climb Monitor Ridge at no cost.
  
• Training in basic scientific concepts of the volcanic landscape.
  
• The opportunity to gain extensive backcountry and recreational site-maintenance experience.
  
• Ability to work with a growing and dynamic not-for-profit organization.
  
• Opportunities to participate at no cost in MSHI field seminars.

To apply for these positions or to find out more about the Mountain Stewards program please contact Hailey Heath at 360-449-7826 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Or click here to fill out an application.