Voluntary student work experience placement
programme 2022/2023
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. 5 days a week including 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.
If you wish to apply for a Voluntary student work experience
placement position, please send your CV along with a covering letter no longer
than 1 side of A4 to :
Zak Showell
Director, Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Ness Drive, Devon, TQ14 0HP
Email – zak@shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Your
covering letter must detail why you are applying for the position, and why you
feel that you are a suitable candidate, detailing any suitable knowledge,
skills or previous experience that is relevant to this particular role. Please
also mention were you saw the advert.
If
your application is successful, you will be invited in for an interview at the
Trust.
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 | | Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant |
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