Voluntary student work experience placement programme 2019/2020
Rolling application date.
Shaldon
Wildlife Trust is able to offer a number of work experience placements which
will give you a unique understanding of working for a conservation
organisation.
There
is the chance to develop your skills across a variety of departments at Shaldon,
including the animal keeping, education, conservation and administration
departments.
There
is also the opportunity to complete research projects and dissertations during
your placement. If you are required to complete a research project during
your placement please indicate this at the time of your application.
A
placement at Shaldon will provide valuable experience to add to your CV showing
future employers that you are committed to a career in the conservation sector.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust is a small zoo on the
Devon coast. Set in an acre of woodland, we are the smallest member of BIAZA
and EAZA. Despite this we are active members of the zoo community and support
conservation projects all over the word. Over the years we have gained a great
deal of expertise in the breeding of many species, particularly small primates,
and are regarded highly in this field.
We are currently advertising for student work experience
placements of 9-12 months (with a 1 month probationary period). Shaldon
Wildlife Trust is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. a
five day week including some weekend duties. The main role of the students will
be to assist with the husbandry requirements of the animal collection as
directed by the Head Keeper in charge.
The programme is aimed at students undertaking a further or higher
education course requiring a sandwich year in industry placement within their
degree, or recent graduates who are seeking a career in the animal
care/conservation sector or similar.
All placements are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret
that Shaldon Wildlife Trust cannot provide any financial support or expenses to
those wishing to apply for these opportunities and there will be no promise of
future work within the collection at the end of the placement. To ensure that
students are provided with a valuable experience, a training agreement will be
completed and reviewed regularly, and a training record will be provided upon
completion of the placement.
As this position is voluntary and therefore unpaid we recognise that
this takes a level of commitment from individuals, therefore we aim to provide
each student with a structured learning programme to help them in their future
careers. Most of our previous students have gone on to achieve their goals of
becoming zoo professionals thanks to the valuable practical experience gained
through their placements.
Objectives of the placement
-
To gain
experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.
-
To gain
skills within the education and outreach department including delivering
encounters and class room educational sessions.
-
To deliver
educational talks at the zoo to visitors and groups.
-
To apply own
personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research
project.
-
To reflect
on training and experience throughout the placement.
Anticipated tasks/training provided
-
Assisting
with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure
modification etc.
-
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/volunteer supervision at the direction of the head keeper.
-
Training in
animal-management related computer software.
-
Training in
all aspects of the company’s code of practice.
-
Comprehensive
portfolio building
Skills Required
-
Enrolment on
an animal science related course.
-
Previous
animal-related work experience.
-
Good
communication skills.
-
Adaptable to
different working environments.
-
Able to work
in a team and independently.
-
Physically
fit for the demands of the post.
Owing to the high number of anticipated enquiries,
please be advised that we will only respond to those who are chosen for
interview.
To register
your interest for the above opportunity please send a CV and covering letter to:
Carly Murray
Head Keeper,
Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Ness Drive, Devon, TQ14 0HP
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
No comments:
Post a Comment