BEHAVIOURAL
MANAGEMENT
VOLUNTARY WORKER
(TRAINING PLACEMENT)
We currently
have an opportunity for a Voluntary Worker for a period of 6 months (including
a one-month evaluation period and the opportunity, when 5 months into your
placement, to extend to a maximum of one year) within our L.V.I / Field
Conservation Departments.
Our Voluntary Worker training placement program
has resulted in a high percentage of participants finding employment within the
zoological sector and it is our aim, along with your support, to provide you
with the experience necessary to go on to be considered for a position within
the zoo industry.
As such, our Voluntary Worker roles are for those
looking for valuable experience within the zoo industry. A training agreement
will be completed and reviewed regularly with you throughout your training placement
and you will take away a completed training record and certificate on the successful
end of your placement.
Mission Statement
Paignton Zoo is an education, scientific and conservation charity
dedicated to protecting our global wildlife heritage and inspiring in people a
respect for animals, plants and the environment.
Aim of voluntary worker role:
The main aim of
the placement will be to develop and evaluate the newly formed Behavioural
Management Committee (BMC) at all 3 zoo sites – Paignton, Newquay and Living
Coasts; monitor, improve and evaluate current environmental enrichment
practises, develop and evaluate animal training programmes and organise BMC
meetings. The Voluntary Worker will focus on all of our animal sections and
this role relates to all 3 zoo sites but will be based at Paignton Zoo.
The objective of the voluntary worker role is to:
Gain experience
and understanding of the application and importance of environmental enrichment
and animal training programmes to improving the welfare of captive animals.
Apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a
research projects; monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the BMC and
the programmes it involves. Publish on the progress of the BMC’s work. The role
covers all animal sections and you will be asked to volunteer wherever the
relevant Curator or BMC member requires you to. Reflect on training and
experience throughout the placement.
Tasks:
Help keepers
make and provide environmental enrichment and design new enrichments items for
all animal sections. Monitor the effectiveness of enrichment programmes. Write
training programmes and monitor progress. The input of data into global software
ZIMS. Write and submit publications on the work of the BMC. Organise BMC
meetings. Produce a quarterly newsletter for the BMC.
Time:
Paignton Zoo is open every day and Voluntary Workers are full time
i.e. a five-day volunteering week, including some weekends. This will be
discussed as part of your Informal Discussion, which you will be invited to
attend if shortlisted from your Interest Form / CV / covering letter.
Place of duty:
Field Conservation Department; enclosures / areas around the zoos with
some travel to Living Coasts (Torquay) and Newquay Zoo.
Department manager:
Zoo Research Officer and Curator of L.V.I
Skills required:
An MSc or equivalent qualification from an animal science related
discipline; experience of undertaking zoo-based research projects and
publications; previous animal-related work experience or volunteering; good
communication skills (both of these are desirable but not essential); competency
in Microsoft Office programmes; adaptability to different environments; able to
volunteer in a team and independently; must be reliable; able to follow strict
instructions.
Materials required:
A polo shirt, sweatshirt, combat trousers, fleece, waterproof coat and
steel-toe capped wellies or boots are provided for a small deposit (£20) as
part of your induction.
Any health and safety
requirements:
Staff and keepers will talk you through all relevant health and safety
requirements and risk assessments for the duties that you will be carrying out.
Please note
All Voluntary Workers for this role must be aged 18 years or over
All Voluntary Workers are purely voluntary, and as such, Paignton Zoo
does not provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to register
their interest in or take on these positions with us.
If you are successful in
becoming a Voluntary Worker with us, two references will be taken up before you
are able to start and, for identification purposes, you will be required to
bring your passport and your National Insurance card (or number NI printed on a
document) with you to your induction meeting.
To register your interest for this
Behavioural Management Voluntary Worker role
Please complete
the Interest Form at https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/volunteer-register
stating Voluntary Worker: Behavioural Management in the role choice and then
email a CV and covering letter to volunteering@paigntonzoo.org.uk
by Sunday 12th August
If you have
picked up a paper version of our Volunteer Interest Form, please send your
completed form to Volunteers’ Co-ordinator, Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton
TQ4 7EU, along with your CV and covering letter.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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