Visitor Services Coordinator

The Mon Forest Towns Partnership is a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening connections between West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest and its surrounding gateway communities. The Partnership works to enhance local economies and improve quality of life for residents and visitors through sustainable, forest-based tourism and community development. It emphasizes protecting environmental quality while promoting outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and small business opportunities.

About the role

Join the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area AmeriCorps program in Elkins, West Virginia, as a Visitor Services Coordinator. This full-time, 6-month position offers the opportunity to continue your AmeriCorps term through 2027. Based at the forest headquarters—with potential to expand to the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and Cranberry Mountain Nature Center—you will serve as the welcoming face of public lands.

In this dynamic role, you will provide essential visitor services, deliver safety and directional guidance, and help travelers navigate recreation opportunities and local amenities. You will also amplify the forest's story through digital media and public affairs support, collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and the Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP). Responsibilities include drafting social media content, authoring web blogs, designing promotional materials like maps and brochures, and coordinating press releases.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitor services, including safety and directional guidance.
• Assist travelers in navigating recreation opportunities and local amenities.
• Draft engaging social media content and author web blogs.
• Design regional promotional materials such as maps and brochures.
• Coordinate press releases and public affairs support.
• Collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service and Mon Forest Towns Partnership.
• Occasional weekend or evening work for events.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage visitors of diverse backgrounds in a welcoming and inclusive manner.
• Organizational and administrative skills, including scheduling, record-keeping, and proficiency in basic office software (e.g., email, word processing, spreadsheets).
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to provide clear directions, convey detailed information, and prepare simple reports.
• Community outreach and relationship-building skills; experience collaborating with local organizations, businesses, or public agencies is preferred.
• Basic marketing or outreach skills, such as updating social media, maintaining informational displays, or assisting with promotional materials.
• Knowledge or strong interest in outdoor recreation, public lands, and rural community development, particularly within West Virginia or similar regions.
• Ability to work on-site in Elkins, WV, including occasional weekends or evenings for events, and to stand or move around the visitor center as needed.
• Previous experience in visitor services, hospitality, tourism, nonprofits, or community-facing roles is preferred but not required.