BIRD DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARY WORKER
(TRAINING PLACEMENT)
from
1st September 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.
Voluntary Worker
(Training Placement) roles are not for current students as we are unable to
support you with a college or University placement whilst you volunteer with
us.
Our
own 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.
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.
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 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, 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 pzvolunteering@wildplanettrust.org.uk
by Sunday 30th June 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.
If the items shown
above are not received, we will be unable to take your interest further.
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