HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday thru Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Front desk Aide
Job Description
Front Desk Aides are the heart of the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center. As a Front Desk Aide, you will become involved in the daily functions of the Center and will ensure the Center's smooth operations. Front Desk Aides get all the behind the scenes action, learn about what is going on at the Center first-hand, and have the chance to enjoy volunteer benefits and training.
Volunteer Commitment:
Front Desk Aides are needed year round and normally work a set shift. Most Aides work, on average, at least one shift per month (additional shifts are available according to the calendar schedule). Some take a certain day/time each month and others are "floaters".
Shifts:
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. - this shift can be shortened if necessary
(The Center is only open to the public on weekends, so no weekday shifts are currently available.)
Minimum Qualifications:
All volunteers age 16 and older are encouraged to become Front Desk Aides. This position requires public contact, answering phones, greeting visitors and has no specific physical requirements.
Sample Tasks:
The main responsibility is to handle the front desk.
- answering the phone
- registering people for programs
- greeting and directing visitors
- selling items from the gift shop
- answering visitor questions and offering information or suggestions
- assist with program preparations
- organize files
- fold newsletters, brochures, etc.
- create artwork for flyers, exhibits, etc.
- assist Naturalist with special projects
Training & Benefits:
Aides receive training on how to perform their tasks and supplemental training to increase general knowledge of our site. There are many benefits to becoming an *active volunteer at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, including seasonal volunteer appreciation trips, the annual volunteer dinner, skill and resume development, meeting new people, and let's not forget spending time in a natural place (to mention just a few). *Please note: Active volunteer status is reached when you volunteer at least 20 hours a year.
How to Become a Volunteer:
First, fill out a volunteer interest form and return it to the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center located at 700 Otter Point Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 or by fax at 410-612-0819. Second, you will be contacted to set up an interview by the Volunteer Coordinator. The interview is designed to help determine which volunteer opportunities will best suit both your needs and the current openings at the Estuary Center. Please remember the needs of our volunteer programs change so we may not always have openings in all program areas.
Calendar of EventsView all
- Chilly Insect Hunt01/25/2020 @ 11:00 am-12:00 pmGrab your family and a magnifying glass to venture outside to hunt for insects. In the winter? Absolutely!! Learn all the tricks to buggy winter survival.
- Winter Afternoon01/25/2020 @ 2:00 pm-3:30 pmLove camping, but it’s just a little too cold? “Camp” indoors while practicing putting up a tent and making a “fire”, eating s’mores, and more!
- Leight Speaker Series - Nature and Nosh01/25/2020 @ 3:00 pm-5:00 pmWildlife and Habitat Management on Aberdeen Proving Ground: Supporting the Army's Testing and Training Mission by Protecting its Biological Resources by Jess Baylor, Forester, and Deidre DeRoia, Wildlife Biologist. Because military lands often are protected from human access and impact, they contain significant large tracts of valuable natural resources. We'll present an overview of the unique challenges and opportunities associated with conducting natural resources programs and projects on Aberdeen Proving Ground.
- Summer Research Intern Report01/26/2020 @ 1:00 pm-2:00 pm2019 Summer Research Intern Eric Amrhein will present “A Survey of Microplastics in Otter Point Creek.” Learn about the relatively new environmental issue of microplastics, including what they are, where they come from, possible impacts to the environment, how they can be measured, and what you can do to reduce their impact.
- Minecraft and Nature01/26/2020 @ 3:00 pm-4:30 pmIs Minecraft teaching kids about nature? Compare Minecraft’s natural world with real life nature and see what’s true and what’s fantasy.
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