Blue Spring State Park is one of the largest natural winter migration sites for Florida manatees in the world and a popular manatee destination year-round. Manatee Observers in the winter season help educate the public on manatees and what we can do to protect them. Manatee Observers during the summer help monitor manatees during swim season and help prevent instances of manatee harassment. Come join our team!

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

Visitor Services: A willingness and desire to help others, customer service experience, excellent communication skills with the ability to speak and to interact with visitors in a friendly manner. A desire to educate and inspire the public about manatees and spring ecology.

Resource Management: Have an interest in monitoring and protecting wildlife and natural areas. Monitor and report observations of Florida manatees.

Protection: Ensure Park rules are interpreted in a friendly yet effective manner. Maintain a constant lookout for safety concerns and take appropriate action to correct and/or report to rangers in a timely, effective manner. Wear proper protective equipment.

SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS

Flexible. Most volunteers tend to do at least one, 4-hour shift a week.

TRAINING/PRE-REQUISITS

Pass National and Florida sexual offender checks

Have a valid driver's license

You may be asked to provide an alternate valid form of identification

Safety training will be on-going and provided by the park

In the Volunteer Portal, have a Volunteer Application, a current Volunteer Agreement, and Volunteer DEP Annual Combo Training (diversity, sexual harassment, & workers' compensation), both renewed annually

Learn information about springs, Florida manatees, and guidelines on manatee harassment

Participate in orientations and interpretation trainings

BENEFITS

You will be provided a Volunteer T-shirt and a nametag

Upon completing your first 50 hours, you will receive a free entrance pass* to the park you currently serve and 6 visits for you and your family to any other state park

Upon completing 250 hours, you will receive a special volunteer annual pass for you and your family to any Florida State Park (*request passes from the Volunteer Manager. Some restrictions apply)

Join us in park staff gatherings (i.e., potlucks, celebrations, holiday parties, etc.)

Be a part of the Florida Park Service family, working alongside like-minded staff and volunteers

You have the opportunity for personal enrichment and experience working in a unique state park setting