Volunteering at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Volunteer Departments

1. Education: At the Institute we provide a variety of community events including: weekend workshops, youth and school programs, hikes and classes. These programs all require additional support by volunteers.

2. Special Events: At the Institute we offer our Family Night programs quarterly, which are larger than normal programs and require additional staff.

3. Public Relations: Help organize and promote programs and through graphic design work.

4. Reception/Gift Shop/Bulk Mail: Help out with the cash register, phones, or work with large mailings and perform general office work.

5. Land Stewardship: Perform maintenance or stewardship activities on the grounds of the Institute.

6. Facility Assistant: Assist our Facility Manager with scheduled work.

7. Facility Rental/Brunch: Assist with kitchen prep, set-up, and guest services.

Education Positions:

• Tasks: Welcome guests to the Institute and give directions to the appropriate program location.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before the program begins.
• Qualifications: Cheerful and out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public.

• Tasks: Accompany staff on the hikes and help keep the group together.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 45 minutes before the hike.
• Qualifications: Out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public, knowledge of program subject a bonus; training will provided. Ability to walk the trails over varying terrain.

• Tasks: Lead hikes or facilitate programming at the Institute.
• Hours and Times: Dates set by Institute's need for programming. Expected to be at Institute 45 minutes before program and stay for 30 minutes after program.
• Qualifications: Knowledge of subject matter, outgoing personality, comfortable speaking to large groups of people, experience leading programs a plus; training provided.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Special Events Positions:

• Tasks: Assist with facility set-up prior to event, arrangement of tables and chairs in event room.
• Hours and Times: Availability one day prior to event.
• Qualifications: Able to lift 40 pounds (table), and self-motivated.

• Tasks: Operate cash register before programming to take fees, and register purchases.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before program and stay for 30 minutes after program.
• Qualifications: Basic math skills and out-going personality, training on cash register required; training will be provided.

• Tasks: Welcome guests as they arrive at the Institute and give directions to appropriate program location.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before program.
• Qualifications: Out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public.

• Tasks: Take guest's program tickets at the auditorium entrance and provide overflow seating if necessary.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before program.
• Qualifications: Out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public.

• Tasks: Accompany staff on the hike and help keep the group together.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before program and stay for 30 minutes after program.
• Qualifications: Out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public, knowledge of program subject a plus.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Public Relations Positions:

• Tasks: Take pictures of property for newsletter; take pictures at Institute events, organize photos digitally for staff access.
• Hours and Times: Will be contacted by e-mails about potential opportunities for photography, the hours will be flexible, sometimes program dependent.
• Qualifications: Open and friendly, experience with cameras and taking photos, provide own equipment, portfolio of previous work, knowledge of the Institute's property a plus.

• Tasks: Distribute fliers to local schools and businesses, represent Institute in professional manner.
• Hours and Times: Will be contacted by e-mail, the hours will be flexible and set at the volunteer's convenience.
• Qualifications: Professional and friendly manner, knowledgeable of the history and background of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, familiarity with the programs at the Institute, have a working knowledge of the surrounding communities and business locations; training will be provided.

• Tasks: Aide in development of marketing materials
• Hours and Times: Will be contacted by e-mail, the hours will be flexible and set at the volunteer's convenience.
• Qualifications: Experience and/or training in the field of graphic arts.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Reception/Gift Shop/Bulk Mail Positions:

• Tasks: Answer phone, greet guests, operate the cash register as needed, membership enrollment.
• Hours and Times: Variable during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
• Qualifications: Friendly, professional and outgoing, must be familiar with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute property and mission (information will be provided), basic math skills, and out-going personality. Training on cash register required (training provided at Institute).

• Tasks: Fold and label with address stickers the newsletter and other mailings.
• Hours and Times: Newsletter: 4-8 hours, one newsletter is published every three months, General Mailings: 2-4 hours variable time period.
• Qualifications: Steady and efficient worker, self-motivated.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Land Stewardship:

• Tasks: Remove trail obstacles such as branches, briars etc, and notify staff of downed trees or washouts. Specific project details will be given by staff members.
• Hours and Times: During business hours, Monday-Friday 9am - 5 pm, Special volunteer work days will be planned throughout the year.
• Qualifications: Be in good physical condition, knowledge of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute trail system. Appropriate attire for outside work.

• Tasks: Remove invasive species from property.
• Hours and Times: Primarily during the growing season, hours can be arranged for convenience of the volunteers.
• Qualifications: Need to be in good physical condition, knowledge of invasive plants, training will be provided.

• Tasks: Maintain and improve existing gardens.
• Hours and Times: Primarily during the growing season, hours can be arranged for convenience of the volunteers.
• Qualifications: Be in good physical condition, dedicated worker, familiarity with native plant species a plus.

• Tasks: Collect and plant native seeds, help with prairie management fires.
• Hours and Times: Will be based upon the season, hours can be arranged for convenience of the volunteers.
• Qualifications: Be in good physical condition, dedicated worker, safety-conscientious, knowledge of native plants and restoration techniques a plus, training will be provided.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Facility Assistant Positions:

• Tasks: Clean rooms, change linen, etc.
• Hours and Times: Daytime and weekday hours (rental dependant).
• Qualifications: Ability to work independently, complete assigned tasks, and self-motivated.

• Tasks: Maintain mowed areas around buildings.
• Hours and Times: Weather dependant.
• Qualifications: Take directions well, ability to work independently, 18 years of age or older.

• Tasks: Clean, change light bulbs, and perform other tasks assigned by Facilities Manager
• Hours and Times: During business hours, Monday -Friday, 9am-5pm
• Qualifications: Ability to work independently, complete assigned tasks, and self-motivated.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments

Facility Rental/Brunch Positions:

• Tasks: Operate cash register, take brunch fees and complete gift shop purchases.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before brunch.
• Qualifications: Basic math skills, and out-going personality, training on cash register required (training provided at Institute).

• Tasks: Welcome guests and give directions to dining area and program location.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before the brunch begins.
• Qualifications: Cheerful and out-going personality, comfortable talking with the public

• Tasks: Assist chef with meal preparation.
• Hours and Times: Variable will be contacted by e-mail or phone several days before the event about the schedule.
• Qualifications: Takes directions well, familiarity with food prep and kitchen safety a plus, will be trained in kitchen preparation by staff.

• Tasks: Make sure clean dishes and silverware, beverages, and condiments, etc are available to guests, clear tables of used plates, etc.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 45 minutes before event.
• Qualifications: Friendly and outgoing.

• Tasks: Run automatic dishwasher and put away clean dishes.
• Hours and Times: Expected to be at Institute 30 minutes before brunch and stay for one hour after brunch.
• Qualifications: Takes directions well, self-motivated.

Back to Listing of Volunteer Departments