Zoo Jobs: BIRD DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARY WORKER

Thursday, January 10, 2019

BIRD DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARY WORKER

BIRD DEPARTMENT

VOLUNTARY WORKER

(TRAINING PLACEMENT) from 1^st 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 Bird Department.

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

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 attend to the husbandry requirements of the animal collection as directed by the Senior Head Keeper in charge. Voluntary Workers focus on one of our animal sections and this role specifically relates to the Bird Department.

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 Bird Department and you will be asked to volunteer wherever the Senior Head 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 head keeper; Training in animal-management related computer software; Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practice.

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. 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:

Bird Department enclosures / areas around the Zoo, including some mammal species, consisting of goats, sheep, rabbits and other domestic mammals kept in our Ranch walk-through area (and occasionally other small mammals).

Department manager:

Curator of Birds

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 your 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, 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

Bird Department Voluntary Worker role

Please complete the Interest Form at https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/volunteer-register stating Voluntary Worker: Birds in the role choice and then email a CV and covering letter to volunteering@paigntonzoo.org.uk by Thursday 31^st January 2019

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.