Working for the COE as a full timer RVer - RV-Dreams Community Forum

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

Working for the COE as a full timer RVer

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

JanieD; You may try the Workamper News Forum as they advertise for the Corp. They also have a search at the top of the threads!

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

We recently went through the process. We used our son's physical address for the Dunn number.

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

My wife, Evin, and I recently were gatekeepers at COE Campground in Texas. We went there thinking it would be opening the gate at 6 AM, opening the gatehouse at 8 or 9, closing the gatehouse at 5 or 6 and then locking the gate at 10. We worked four days on and four days off. That is the way it was at the COE Campground we visited in Florida. Instead of what we thought, at the one we were hired at Evin opened the gate before 6 AM and closed after 10 PM. One of us had to be in the gatehouse the entire time. I did the cooking and dog walking and 8 security rounds in our vehicle. It was about a 5 mile trip each time. At times we were very busy and both of us worked the window/gate. In our park, there used to be three couples working, now there is only two because of budget times.

COE rangers are not sworn officers. Their numbers were also cut (budget cuts did away with summer college interns) and they often were not there as there were other campgrounds and areas to patrol. Most of the time we were on our own. In a lot of parks the "locals" book the weekends to party and do not want to adhere to the quiet time hours and other rules such as dogs on leashes. They are use to having their way. It is their cheap lake place where they go to party and avoid a DUI by staying off the highways. They know the rangers cannot arrest them. They only listened when the sheriff came. Often there was not one available. Our rangers left their park patrols, if they were any, and went to the office six mile or more away to do paper work an hour before quiet time and then called it a day. During problem times they often were no where to be found or already off duty.

I suggest that you talk to some other gatekeepers and see if their experiences were the same. I know that the hours and duties are not the same at each park. Some parks allow alcohol and some don't I understand. We were paid $120 a day but in busy times we both worked over 16 hours a day. Do the math, that is $3.75 an hour plus your campsite less your vehicle expenses. On the weekend, if you did your job it could be dangerous. As full-timers over 62 we enjoy the COE campgrounds; but, we would not do the 16 hours a day again. Most of the guest were great; but, it took only one unruly drunk to ruin your day. Some gatekeepers kept their head in the sand and eyes looking out ignoring rounds and they seemed to be happy with the situation. When they did patrols the kept their eyes on the road and their window rolled up. Some rangers did the same. The campers ran the campground. That was not my way. So, again, no more.

The paper work and getting the DUNN # was a hassle and I had to get an area person help me get through it. I think I used my brother-in-law's address. Some of the regulations make no sense because full-timer RVers are who usually does the work. But the regulations are for all contract employees. See where you want to go and then contact the lake manager and ask him or her the tough questions. Send me an email if you have any other questions. We had a great lake manager and most of the rangers were great; but, it was what it was and it was not for us. If it seems too good to be true, often it is!!

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 08:46:20 PM

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am not going to attempt to defend the COE.

As I read your post, it appeared to me that you went into the job with a real misunderstanding of the hours, and job duties that are most often, outlined very clearly in the bid package. (Ours was very detailed) You said you thought you knew what the job would be, based on the job in a different state.

With any position, it behooves you to thoroughly check out exactly what is required. I am sorry that the job did not meet your expectations.

The fact that you mentioned is critical, is that the job duties will vary widely. Most basic rules will be set by each district, but there can widely varying individual duties from park to park.

My experience with the COE is that positions are often held by the same folks for many years, because they like it so much. (The one we now have was completed by the same couple for 12 years.) If a position is open in the COE,it might be wise to ask why the position is open.

Ask questions. Know what you are getting into.

I thank you for posting so that others can learn form your experience.

-- Edited by Dog Folks on Thursday 26th of December 2013 06:47:35 AM

rvingft · RV-Dreams Family Member

One of the blogs I follow is Coleen Sykora's Workers On Wheels. She often posts opportunities for COE hosting opportunities. If/when we are looking for such an opportunity I will contact the park directly and ask those tough questions before I committed or applied. As in RVP and CPG, not all are the same. Even KOA parks which are a franchise, can be so drastically different based the ownership and management.

We have met 1 couple who host every year at the same park while the park is open. Their replacement is another couple who host every year during the park's closed season. It seems to work well for everyone - the COE included. Am sure they would much rather not have to interview and train new folks.

Another blogger I follow volunteered in the office while her husband took care of the growing list of maintenance chores on their RV for the 3 months they were in that park. That volunteer opportunity ALMOST lead to a different full-time paid position at another park nearby.

Public parks are always looking for volunteers and once the details and paperwork can be worked out, it's a great opportunity to stay in a nice area for an exchange of your time. How much and whether it was a great-goord-notsogood experience will vary.

I hope you can find a great park and enjoy a great experience!

injunear · RV-Dreams Family Member

Resonantly we stayed 28 days at a COE park on Lake Belton in Texas. There were two sets of gate guards and a camp host. The camp host would drive around the park about 8:00 am. Then the gate guard would man the gate at 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and leave the gate open all night. This must be their winter schedule.

We talked to them all and they loved it there. The gate guards are seasonal and the host lived there year round. Guards got pay a little plus their site. The Host only got a free site.

Wayne

Ann-Hank · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just spent 2 months getting our CAGE code. It is a real "Catch 22", I stood our ground and said our trailer, truck and DL are all with our mail service in SD. We are also registered to vote with that address. I finally got a rep from the CAGE department that went to her supervisor and found out it can be done with a mail service for full time RVers. She was great and I only dealt with her directly after that. We got our number in 2 days. I would be very careful of using a different address, it will be you address of record and you may end up with a tax obligation you don't want.

Right now we are volunteering with the Corps at Allatoona Lake in GA and really love it. We are wanting to go to a job in OR for next summer. One of the positions was posted Friday and the other should be out soon. This being our first time to bid, I plan on taking it into one of our rangers for advise on filling it out.

As stated by Dog Folks, every area and every job is different. This bid is 84 pages long with great details about your duties and the park. I have seen some that you need a Dr. letter stating that you physically fit to do the job. Most you have to be bonded, back ground check and high insurance on your vehicle.

Good luck.