Mount St. Helens Institute

The Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI) Volcano Volunteer program features a group of well-trained interpreters who offer their expertise on Mount St. Helens and related topics to visitors, school groups and others. Volcano Volunteers work at one of the following locations:

North side of the volcano: Johnston Ridge Observatory

Objective:

To maintain and expand the missions of the Mount St. Helens Institute and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to provide recreation and education opportunities and resource protection at some of Mount St. Helens’ most appropriate and heavily visited sites.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work with diverse groups of individuals, organizations, and partners to provide quality visitor information/orientation and customer service to the visiting public.
  
• Rove trails/visitor areas while educating visitors about the institute’s and monument’s missions.
  
• Assist with resource protection and monitoring.
  
• Informally educate the public about the extraordinary features of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the 1980 eruption, the biological recovery, the scientific research that is taking place, and the eruption that began in October 2004, or research, prepare and conduct formal message-driven interpretive programs 5-25 minutes in length to a variety of audiences.
  
• Work with school groups on field trips or in classrooms to provide interpretive information.  Also perform informational outreach to local organizations and interest groups, as requested.
  
• Help the staff of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and MSHI as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn and share knowledge with a diverse audience
  
• Background or interest in science and natural processes
  
• Ability to communicate well with others
  
• Skill in providing quality customer service
  
• Participate in mandatory training session and continuing training and enrichment activities
  
• Valid driver’s license

Time Commitment:

Negotiable. Examples of preferred time commitments:
1. One to two days per week for at least 2 months
2. Full-time, 5 days per week for at least 2-months
3. Two plus days every other week for at least 2 months
4. Ability to volunteer on weekends is highly desirable

Benefits:

• Receive a week-long intensive training in interpretation, ecology, and geology.
  
• Stay in government-provided housing or enjoy a unique camping experience.
  
• Help people from the U.S and around the world to understand the dynamic nature of the Earth.
  
• Uniforms and some weather gear provided at no cost.
  
• Opportunity to make new friends and interact with lots of people.
  
• Opportunity to attend any MSHI field seminars for free as ongoing training/enrichment.

To apply for a position or to find out more about Volcano Volunteers, contact Hailey Heath at 360-449-7826 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fill out an application here.