AQUARIUM SECTION
VOLUNTARY
WORKER
(TRAINING PLACEMENT) from 1st March 2019
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 Aquarium section.
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.
This is a physically demanding role so
commitment and a level of physical fitness is a must. It’s a very rewarding
role and will allow you to volunteer alongside keepers, aiding them in their
daily duties and helping care for the animals.
Mission
Statement
Living Coasts 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 attend to the husbandry requirements of the animal collection as directed by
the Senior Keeper in charge. Voluntary Workers focus on one of our animal
sections and this role specifically relates to the Aquarium section.
The objective
of the voluntary worker role is to:
Gain experience and understanding of
the work of a zoo animal keeping department; Apply own personal skills and take
ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project; Reflect on training
and experience throughout the placement.
Tasks:
The role covers all the areas within
the Aquarium section and you will be asked to volunteer wherever the Senior
Keeper requires you to: Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding,
cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification etc.; Opportunities to
observe and take part in animal handling, rearing and training. Observations of
animals and recording of relevant information; Training in basic research
methods; Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and
sensitive manner; Assisting with student supervision, alongside a member of
staff, at the direction of the senior keeper; Training in animal-management
related computer software; Training in all aspects of the company’s code of
practice.
Time:
Living
Coasts 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. Informal Discussions will be
carried out in person and not via telephone, Skype, etc. as this allows you to
see where you will be volunteering and the area you would be potentially living
(if necessary for you to move) whilst carrying out your placement.
Place of duty:
Aquarium
section enclosures / areas.
Department manager:
Senior
Keeper
Skills required:
Previous
animal-related work experience or volunteering (desirable but not essential);
Good communication skills; Adaptable to different environments; Able to volunteer
in a team and independently; Physically fit for the demands of the post; 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:
Keepers
will talk you through all relevant health and safety requirements and risk
assessments for the duties that you will be carrying out. You will need to
ensure that your tetanus injection is valid and will be kept up-to-date
throughout your placement.
Please note
All
Voluntary Workers for this role must be aged 18 years or over
All
Voluntary Workers are purely voluntary, and as such, Living Coasts 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
Aquarium Section Voluntary Worker role
Please
complete the Interest Form at https://www.livingcoasts.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/volunteer-register
stating Voluntary Worker: Aquarium in the role choice and then email a
CV and covering letter to volunteering@livingcoasts.org.uk
by Thursday
31st January 2019
If
you have picked up a paper version of our Volunteer Interest Form, please send
your completed form to Living Coasts Volunteers’ Co-ordinator, c/o Paignton
Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU, along with your CV and covering letter.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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