Description

Clean, Drain, Dry! Stop invasive species by helping inspect watercraft. This is an important position for the protection of natural resources from non-native species that threaten wildlife, drinking water/irrigation and all water related outdoor recreation in the State of Colorado. Daily interaction with park visitors requires effective communication and public relations skills.

Responsibilities and Duties

Assist with Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program by performing physical watercraft inspections for Zebra/Quagga Mussels, Milfoil, or other plant species

• Conduct physical boat inspections and boater interviews
• Provide information and assistance to the boating public (distribute brochures, promote ANS education, educate about State Park regulations, etc.)
• Cleaning and light maintenance duties of interior and exterior of ANS inspection areas, including maintenance of facilities and grounds
• Accurate counting and recording of all boat inspections

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Willingness to work with people of diverse backgrounds
• Dependable and communicative
• Excel at working individually and as a team member
• Safe handling of tools and equipment is required
• Comfortable working outside in various weather conditions
• Must be able to life 20+ pounds
• Good decision-making and judgement
• Familiarity with Barr Lake State Park and its activities is a plus
• Committed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Barr Lake State Park's mission and goals

Help us out! We are looking for volunteers to help with a variety of our education volunteer roles.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Naturalist:

• Facilitate naturalist programs and information, such as for school programs, displays, website, brochures, roving interpretation along the trail, and more.

Leave No Trace Ambassador:

• The Leave No Trace (LNT) initiative includes helping to implement the 7 principles into all aspects of park operations. This will include education via an information booth at events, displays and park brochures.
• There are also opportunities to help with LNT education programs through pop-up tables at the park and education school groups.

Archery Program Assistant:

• We are looking for volunteer help in the maintenance and operation of our archery range as well as teaching archery to visitors.
• Teach archery shooting and safety and help maintain the range for future shooters!
• If interested in leading archery programs, formal 8-hour certification training required.

Fishing Clinic Assistant:

• Help visitors cast, untangle lines, set up fishing poles, attach lures.
• 4-hour basic training program can be provided.

Toddler Story Time:

• Toddler Story Time is hosted in or outside the Nature Center on the fourth Thursday of each month (exceptions made when the day falls on a holiday).
• Volunteers will read a book to the children, provide a craft, and a snack for this one-hour program.
• Some special toddler programs are also hosted seasonally, such as the Fall Toddler Program, and the Toddler Holiday Party where the kids can decorate a tree in the Nature Center.

Greet guests at gate, provide information, and collect money for passes.

Help with mailings, attend meetings, and help spearhead friends activites.

Maintenance volunteers help to protect, preserve, enhance, and manage the wildlife habitat, visitor recreation areas, and facilities around the park. Work may include ongoing maintenance and improvements, short-term construction projects, and preparation of facilities for park events. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Under direction from the Park Resource Technician, perform maintenance such as weed control, tree trimming, and trail maintenance projects in designated areas of the park.
• Assist with other maintenance and landscaping projects which may include, but are not limited to; painting or staining fences and buildings, installing new park signage, maintaining park tools and machinery, washing vehicles, cleaning bathrooms, and picking up litter.
• Water plants and gardens, flower beds
• Spray weeds
• Trail work, technical work on tools and equipment, and vehicles
• Staining and painting 

Program Description

As a Park Ambassador, you can choose which opportunities are right for you. Possible Park Ambassador Roles are listed below.:

• Trail Ambassadors (On foot or mounted)
• Walk or ride the park’s trails to provide information to visitors including trail information, location of park facilities, information about upcoming events, and fun facts. Volunteers must act as responsible and inclusive role models exhibiting a friendly face to the public, great personal trail etiquette, and leave no trace practices.
• Volunteers on bikes or horses will provide their own transportation.
• Special Events and Projects
• Barr Lake is a busy park with countless events and projects all year! 
• Help out with our events and projects by: setting up the day before or the day of an event; cleaning up at the end of an event; hosting a table, game, or activity at an event; preparing materials for an event such as crafts or other items requiring assembly; maintaining the area for the event such as picking up litter, removing obstacles like tree limbs, and other maintenance activities.
• Events may be at the park, or at off-site locations such as local festivals or with park partners like Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

Responsibilities and Duties

Trail Ambassadors (On foot or mounted)

• Greet and assist visitors. Share information about the park including park activities, locations of facilities, trail information, and upcoming events. Sharing other information like park history, wildlife facts, and other interesting tidbits about the park and its natural resources is encouraged!
• Take note of trail conditions and report any significant changes or concerns to park staff. Pick up trash, and notify staff if assistance is needed.
• Educate visitors on park regulation violations such as dogs off leash, littering, and taking of plants, rocks, etc. Share Leave No Trace protocols to help visitors understand why these rules are enforced.
• While trail ambassadors are one of the faces of the park, you will never be expected to put yourself in danger or in an uncomfortable position. Contact a ranger if conflict occurs or if a situation requires staff assistance.

Special Events and Projects

• Primary expectations include: setting up and/or taking down, and clean up of event items like decorations, tables and chairs, tents, games, etc.; planning and coordinating logistics; attending events as a representative of the park; hosting a table or activity.
• As a special projects volunteer, you may be asked to share input about an event or project, and help brainstorm ideas. Creativity is a plus!

Conveniently located 25 minutes east of Denver, Barr Lake is famous for its bird watching opportunities, but there is more to the park than birds! Hiking trails, boating opportunities for small boats, and hand-propelled and sailing crafts make Barr Lake a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Denver. This park does not have campgrounds, but we are looking for volunteer park hosts.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The responsibilities of the Resident Volunteer are varied and dependent on the areas of greatest need, as well as on the volunteer’s individual skillset, ability, and interests. The responsibilities listed below are extensive, but not all encompassing, meaning you may be asked to perform many or most of these tasks, but they will be on an as needed or rotating basis. 

• Cleanup park grounds and facilities.
• Complete special or seasonal maintenance tasks as needed.
• Greeting and assisting park visitors with park information.
• Selling parks passes, registrations, and wildlife licenses.
• Assisting with word processing and data entry on computers. Filing and other clerical tasks as needed
• Design and prepare displays for bulletin boards.
• Marketing and advertising park programs.
• Assisting with writing and editing brochures, fact sheets, and manuals.
• Producing artwork or graphic designs for publications, signs or flyers and assisting with special events as needed.
• Assist with Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program by performing physical watercraft inspections for invasive Zebra/Quagga Mussels, Milfoil or other plant species.
• May report visitor complaints.
• Other duties as assigned.

Site Elevation: 

5,000 ft.

Pets are allowed.

The Track Chair Program allows wheelchair users and those with varied mobility the opportunity to explore hiking trails and experience the outdoors in an accessible way.

On average, outings range from 2-3 hours depending on the participant’s desires.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Schedule use of the track chair with the public.
• Get the track chair ready for use by parking it in front of the Nature Center.
• Orient the participant with instructions for how to use the chair. (The chair may also be driven by the volunteer using the attached remote.)
• Walk the trail with the participant to ensure safe use of the chair and safe passage along the trail.
• Return the track chair to the designated trailer for rangers to return to storage.
• Report any issues with the chair, trail conditions, etc to park staff.

If you enjoy talking to people about all things Barr Lake, this position is for you! Visitor Services Ambassadors serve as the first point of contact with visitors, ensuring they feel welcomed and informed about recreational opportunities and conditions, possess the required entry pass, and have a safe and enjoyable experience. Required training will be provided.

Responsibilities and Duties

This is a customer service based position that involves working in the entrance station and/or Nature Center, greeting visitors, and selling CPW products and merchandise. Daily interaction with park visitors requires effective communication and public relations skills.

• Welcome visitors, answer questions, sell or verify passes.
• Payment processing and cash handling.
• Verify validity of annual passes, including Keep Colorado Wild (KCW).
• Light maintenance, including dusting and sweeping.
• Document and report visitor complaints.