Camp And Park Host Program Handbook - CA State Parks

Camp and Park HostC A L I F O R N I AS T A T EP A R K S 2 0 1 2Program HandbookPublished byCalifornia state Parksinterpretation and education division2012October 2011

Camp and Park HostProgram HandbookCalifornia State ParksInterpretation and Education DivisionSacramento, California2012

2012 California State ParksCalifornia State Parks supports equal access.This publication can be made available in alternate formats.For information call: (800) 777-0369(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.711, TTY relay servicewww.parks.ca.govQuestions about this handbook or request for copies should be directed to:Interpretation and Education DivisionCalifornia State ParksPO Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001Phone: (916) 654-2249interp@parks.ca.gov

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for thehealth, inspiration and education of the people of California byhelping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity,protecting its most valuable natural and cultural resources, andcreating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe 2012 edition of Volunteers in Parks Program Camp and Park Host Handbook wasprepared by Margo Cowan, Volunteers in Parks Program Coordinator, Interpretation andEducation Division, California State Parks. Sincere thanks and acknowledgements aregiven to the following individuals for their contributions.*Brian BaerPhotographer, Interpretation and Education DivisionDiane BarclayPark Interpretive Specialist, Interpretation and Education DivisionMaria HeilpernVolunteer, Interpretation and Education DivisionWil JoraeMuseum Curator II, Interpretation and Education DivisionLorissa KemperGraphic Designer III, Interpretation and Education DivisionCate MurphyPublications Editor, Interpretation and Education DivisionCorinne NelsonOffice Technician, Interpretation and Education DivisionJohn PalmerSenior Photographer, Interpretation and Education DivisionBrock PatelBusiness Service Officer III, Business Services SectionTad PerezGraphic Designer III, Interpretation and Education DivisionDonna PozziChief, Interpretation and Education DivisionDana SchnabelGraphic Designer II, Business Services SectionCarlos TapiaDigital Print Operator II, Business Services SectionIngrid van DijkOffice Technician, Interpretation and Education DivisionVictoria YturraldeStaff Park and Recreation Specialist,Interpretation and Education DivisionThe Interpretation and Education Division also extends appreciation to all membersof the manuscript review committee, headquarters and field staff, and the staff of theDistribution and Reproduction Center for their assistance in the production of thispublication and its contents.* Classifications and divisions reflect the positions held by these individuals at the time of publication.

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookUSiNG ThE CAMp AND pArK hOST prOGrAM hANDbOOKThe purpose of the Camp and Park host Program handbook is to set out policies andprocedures to guide department staff in implementing a consistent statewide hostProgram.Additional information regarding Department operations and policies may be found inthe Volunteers in Parks Program Guidelines, the Department Operations Manual, theDepartment Administrative Manual, and Departmental Notices.The Camp and Park Host Program Handbook is divided into three sections:Introduction gives a legal, historical and operational overview of the Volunteers in ParksProgram and the Camp and Park Host Program.Program Policies and Procedures explain departmental policies, guidelines and legalrequirements for managing Host Programs within California State Parks.Appendices provide reference material and samples of forms related to the HostProgram.i

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookVOLUNTEErS iN pArKS prOGrAMCAMp AND pArK hOST prOGrAM hANDbOOKCONTENTSpAGEiNTrODUCTiONHistorical Background of Volunteers in State Parks. 1Volunteers in Parks Program Legal Authority . 1Camp and Park Host Program Background . 2Definition of a Department Volunteer. 2Department Volunteer Recruitment Policy . 2Designated Host Coordinator. 3prOGrAM pOLiCiES AND prOCEDUrESChapter 1: Camp and Park Host Assignments1.1 Host Types and Eligibility . 5Camp and Park Hosts. 5Other Host Positions. 5International Volunteers. 51.2 Host Duties and Responsibilities . 71.3 Compliance with Park Regulations and Laws. 71.4 Standards of Conduct. 71.5 Hours of Service . 8Rest Breaks . 8Smoking Breaks . 81.6 Travel Expense Claims . 91.7 Home Based Occupations / Commercial Activities . 9Chapter 2: Host Site Designation, Amenities, and Occupancy2.1 Host Site Designation. 112.2 Amenities . 11Basic Site Amenities . 11Yards and Gardens. 12Pets . 12Television Antennas and Satellite Dishes . 132.3 Occupancy . 13Duration of Occupancy . 13Limits on Occupancy and Use . 14Minimum Hour Commitment for Site Occupancy . 14iii

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookCondition of Premises . 15Repairs and Alterations. 15Damage to the Premises . 15Chapter 3: Recruitment and Registration3.1 Host Recruitment .17Policy.17Qualifications .18Interview Process .18Personal Reference Checks.18Assignment of Hosts .18Assignment of Designated Host Site.18Notification of Unsuccessful Applicants.183.2 Host Registration. 19Required Registration Documents . 19Vehicle Registration. 19Processing Confidential Information. 19Chapter 4: Orientation, Training, and Evaluation4.1 Creating a Positive Work Environment . 214.2 Orientation . 214.3 Training. 224.4 Performance Evaluation. 234.5 Separating Hosts. 234.6 Terminating Hosts . 23Chapter 5: Motivation and Recognition5.1 Motivating Hosts. 255.2 Complimentary Park Passes. 26VIPP District Passes. 26VIPP Statewide Pass. 265.3 Ordering, Processing, and Issuing VIPP Passes. 27Ordering VIPP Passes. 27Issuing District and Statewide Passes to Hosts. 27Issuing 200-Hour Passes . 27Host Use of District and Statewide Passes . 275.4 Department Recognition Awards . 28District and Unit Awards. 28Department Awards . 28Awards and Honors (Chart) . 29iv

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookChapter 6: Uniforms and Accessories6.1 Volunteer Patch . 336.2 Volunteer Name Badge. 346.3 Host Caps and Visors. 346.4 Optional Uniform Items Provided by District or Host . 34Chapter 7: Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Tort Liability7.1 Worker’s Compensation Insurance. 377.2 Tort Liability Coverage. 377.3 Liability Questions. 37Chapter 8: Risk Management8.1 Policies. 398.2 Strategies . 398.3 Procedures for Reporting Accidents . 408.4 Natural Disasters. 40Chapter 9: Use of Firearms, Vehicles, Equipment, Personal Resources9.1 Firearms/Ammunition . 419.2 State Equipment and Vehicles . 419.3 Personal Resources . 42Chapter 10: Funding Sources10.1 Volunteer Enhancement Program (VEP). 4310.2 Cooperating Associations . 4310.3 California State Parks Foundation. 4310.4 Ranger Lane Volunteer Fund. 44APPENDICES . 45Appendix A General InformationA State Park System is BornCamp Host Duty StatementHost Standards of ConductTax Benefits of VolunteeringAppendix BDPR 145DPR 161DPR 175DPR 183DPR 208DPR 208DDPR 208EDPR 208FDepartmental (DPR) FormsAccountable Documents RequisitionEquipment Operator Qualification CardEmployee State Property/Equipment Issue RecordProject Evaluation (PEF)Volunteer Service AgreementVolunteer Confidential InformationVolunteers in Parks - Statewide PassVolunteers in Parks – District Passv

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookDPR 208HDPR 208IDPR 208JDPR 208KDPR 308ADPR 593DPR 615DPR 883DPR 954DPR 967ADPR 993DPRDPRState Parks Volunteer ApplicationVolunteer Medallion NominationPoppy Award NominationVolunteer Service Agreement ChecklistRecord of Passes IssuedUse of Criminal Justice InformationEmployee’s/Volunteer’s Notice of Pre-Designated PhysicianPre-Employment Arrest/Conviction Disclosure StatementSelf Identification and CertificationDirector’s Special CommendationVisual Media Consent FormUniversal Access Award InformationUniversal Access Award NominationAppendix CSTD 204STD 261STD 262ASTD 268STD 270STD 689STD 910INF 254BCII 8016Standard (State) FormsPayee Data RecordAuthorization to Use a Privately Owned Vehicle on State BusinessTravel Expense ClaimAccident Report (Other than Motor VehicleVehicle Accident ReportOath of AllegianceEssential Functions Health QuestionnaireGovernment Agency Request for Drivers License InformationRequest for Live Scan ServiceAppendix DVIPPVIPPVIPPVIPPVIPPVIPPVIPPVolunteers in Parks Program (VIPP) FormsAnnual Program Activity ReportInterview ProcedureOrientation ChecklistPerformance EvaluationExit InterviewPoppy Award and Volunteer Medallion (Sample Language)International Volunteers ApplicationAppendix E Legal/Administrative References and Department PoliciesSTATE LAWSCalifornia Government Code §3110 through 3119.5:California State Government Volunteers ActCalifornia Labor Code §1720.4:Public WorksCalifornia Vehicle Code §4000.4:Registration Required: Primary Usevi

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookCalifornia Vehicle Code §17150, §17151:Liability of Private OwnersState Administrative Manual (SAM) §2420:Motor Vehicle Liability Self-Insurance ProgramState Administrative Manual (SAM) §2455:Motor Vehicle Accident Reporting and InvestigationDEPARTMENT POLICIESDepartment Administrative Manual (DAM) 0215.3:Employment/Pre-Employment Criminal History ChecksDepartment Administrative Manual (DAM) 0250.10:Nepotism PolicyDepartment Administrative Manual (DAM) §1260:Employee Vehicle Accident PreventionDepartment Administrative Manual (DAM) §1265:Vehicle Operation Policies and ProceduresDepartmental Notice 96-26:Receipts, Tickets and Passes AccountabilityDepartmental Notice 97-42:Complimentary PassesDepartmental Notice 2002-08:Equal Employment Opportunity PolicyDepartment Operations Manual (DOM) 0907:Intellectual PropertyDepartment Operations Manual (DOM) 0908.3-0908.4:Volunteers in California State ParksDepartment Operations Manual (DOM) 2200; Department HousingSections 2205.4, 2205.11, and 2206DOM Memo 129: Camp and Park Host Length of Occupancyvii

Camp and Park Host Program HandbookiNTrODUCTiONHistorical Background of Volunteersin State ParksCalifornia State Parks volunteers follow aproud tradition of direct citizen initiativeand voluntary action in support of publicparks that dates back to the 19th century.Volunteer participation in public parksbegan in the mid-1860s when concernedcitizens helped to establish Yosemite asCalifornia’s first state park. From that timeforward, the State’s park volunteers havenever wavered from serving the needs ofCalifornians and visitors from all over theworld. A brief history of California StateParks is found in Appendix A – GeneralInformation.Today, Californians enjoy one of thelargest and most popular park systemsin the world. The diversity and beauty ofCalifornia’s state parks attract more than71 million visitors annually, challengingpark managers to seek alternative andcost-efficient ways of providing neededmaintenance, visitor programs and overalloperational support. Volunteers are integralto the successful operation of our stateparks.Volunteers in Parks ProgramLegal AuthorityThe California State GovernmentVolunteers Act (Government Code §3110through 3119.5, Appendix E), passed by theLegislature in 1978, recognized the value ofvolunteerism to state government and all ofCalifornia.Introduction Page 1