Lone Star Travelers Blog

The next pull out is not named and so of course we call it No Name Point.  This is a good spot to pause, look at your map and plan your remaining stops and perhaps some hikes.  You may hike anywhere in Petrified Forest National Park within the following guidelines.  If there is a designated walkway or path you must stay on it.  You may not walk into any areas with signs indicating closed area or authorized vehicles or personnel only.  (these are few)  Otherwise you may strike out into the Painted Desert or the Petrified Forest on your own.  You must park your vehicle in an overlook parking lot or if you pull off on the side of the road you must be completely off the roadway and on the other side of the designated white line.  The park closes at 7PM in the summer and 6PM at other times of the year.  At closing time you must be in your vehicle heading for an exit.

Buy a pocket sized personal address book just for this volunteer job.  You will be meeting many new people and before long will be collecting multiple names and telephone numbers as well as e-mail addresses. Having one book just for this park will help you keep your new friends list organized.  When you have moved on, either to another location or back home you will easily be able to search for the information and keep up with correspondence.  This book is also where you should record pertinent park information such as the name, phone number and e-mail address of your supervisor, mailing address at the park and other important information such as the contact for park dispatch and or park police.  Alternately you can of course create new contact lists using software on your Mac or PC or you may prefer your Blackberry. I find the old fashioned pocket address book easy and convenient. 

The written application is almost always followed up by a phone interview. This is very informal and will give you the opportunity to ask any additional questions that have not already been answered, as well as highlight any experience you think will help the recruiter in his or her screening process . The volunteer recruiter will be able to quickly assess your personality. Most important tips are sound interested, keep it upbeat and cheerful. At the conclusion of this conversation you will either be offered the volunteer job or advised when you will hear of the decision. Either scenario is typical and one is not better than the other. If the recruiter is not ready to offer you the position it may just mean she needs to look at how to fill in the schedule. Thank the recruiter for his or her time and make sure to close with “I look forwards to hearing from you soon” or a similar phrase.

Entirely optional but a very nice touch.  A well written resume can be sent to the recruiter first as an introduction or along with your volunteer job application to enhance it. As with any resume keep it to one page and make it relevant.  A resume builder on your computer can help you find a format you like and you just fill in the various fields.A basic resume will include fields such as OBJECTIVE, QUALIFICATIONS, HOBBIES AND SKILLS, and EXPERIENCE. Adjust these fields to fit you personally. The last category should be REFERENCES and read “available upon request.” Note: have them ready for when they are requested. Make it easy for the recruiter and include phone number with area code as well as e-mail address. Tip: As a courtesy always check with your references before you give out their names and get their OK.