Visitor Center Hosts Wanted
Oregon Paleo Lands Center May through October
The Oregon Paleo Lands Center is seeking qualified volunteers now for one or two-month Visitor Center Host assignments: May through October. This is an exciting new position to meet, welcome, and educate visitors and school groups from all over Oregon and the United States. As you help visitors at the Oregon Paleo Lands Center, you will learn about the spectacular natural/cultural history of the John Day Basin. The Center will provide you with training and assistance and with free camping at the Wheeler Co Fairgrounds RV Park. The attractive Center is located next to the historic Wheeler Co. Courthouse in downtown Fossil, a friendly, small community (20 miles from Condon, 65 miles from Madras). The Center is within a short walking distance from a full range of local services such as stores, restaurants, post office, bank, and laundry.
Please see the OPLI – Visitor Center Host Description and Application for details on the position, Fossil area services and attractions, and OPLI contact information.
The Visitor Center Host will:
1. Inform, educate, assist visitors and school groups about John Day Basin natural/cultural
history
2. Assist visitors to enjoy special events
including the Memorial weekend Spray Rodeo, 4th of July Fossil Bluegrass Festival, August
County Fair and Rodeo
3. Keep Center open for the public 4-5 days a week (Thursday-Sunday) Normal Hours 10AM-4PM
4. Orient visitors to John Day Basin attractions, services, lodging, campgrounds using the
Center’s extensive handouts and guides ( Help visitors use nearby State Parks, Scenic Bikeways and Byways, John
Day River, National Monument, National Forests, BLM lands)
5. Lead short talks & occasional in-town tours: Fossil Museum, Fossil historic sites, Wheeler
High Fossil Beds
OPLI developed this Host position with advice from Oregon State Parks. OPLI welcomes volunteers who have served at State Parks or similar sites and also encourages potential OPLI hosts to also check out the State Parks Park Host program:
http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=getinvolved.dsp_volunteerHosting
Oregon Paleo Lands
Institute Center
We are currently closed for the season.
We look forward to seeing you in Spring 2025!
Want to Volunteer?
The Paleo Lands Center invites you, to meet the public and school groups at our educational hub of the John Day Basin. Volunteers can serve as Board Members, Advisors, Center helpers and docents and help share exciting natural history exhibits, brochures, and books with visitors and schools.
Please Contact the Center at
541-763-4480 or paleolands@gmail.com for details
*Please call or email if you would like to schedule your school group for a visit during the week. Thank you!
Contact Information
333 West Fourth Street
Post Office Box 104
Fossil, OR 97830
Phone: (541) 763-4480
Email: paleolands@gmail.com