The primary duty of Rock Creek Park Rovers and BARK Ranger Rovers is to be present on site and to pass along messages to park visitors. Rovers assist in park operations in designated areas by walking/hiking through agreed upon areas of the park as designated in your volunteer position description, along marked trails and through other park sites belonging to Rock Creek Park. Rovers will take note of any immediate hazards, reporting hazards to NPS staff, engaging in meaningful and enriching contacts with
visitors, and enlightening visitors about park policies and rules.
As a Rock Creek Park Rover and/or BARK Ranger Rover, you will partake in roves in which you will walk around a designated area of the park (e.g., Georgetown Waterfront) and serve as a role model and educator for good park practices like keeping all pets on leashes, staying on marked trails, leave no trace, proper tree practices (e.g., no hammocking on the trees), and ensuring people do not swim or wade in the creek. These practices are taught in our Recreate Responsibly campaign!
Duties
Rock Creek Rovers will serve as ambassadors for the National Park Service by providing visitor services. This will include:
Making high quality contacts with pedestrians and bicyclists in the park
Providing directions, maps, park history, information about park resources, and information about the flora and fauna in the park.
Assisting visitors as you are able.
Protecting the park’s valuable resources and the visitors through professional public education about rules, regulations, and safety considerations.
Informing visitors of violations (when safe and appropriate) to support a safe visitor experience and to promote resource stewardship in the park.
Alerting NPS staff to potential problems and safety issues (trees down on trails, graffiti, safety issues).
Assisting with other volunteer programs or ranger-led programs or events as available.
