LOWER
VERTEBRATE AND INVERTEBRATE (L.V.I.) DEPARTMENT
(reptiles, amphibians, bugs)
VOLUNTARY WORKER
(TRAINING PLACEMENT)
from
1st March 2020
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 3 months
into your placement, to extend to a maximum of one year) within our Lower
Vertebrate and Invertebrate (L.V.I) 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 Curator in charge. Voluntary Workers
focus on one of our animal sections and this role specifically relates to the L.V.I
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 L.V.I Department and you will be asked to
volunteer wherever the Curator or 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:
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:
L.V.I
Department enclosures / areas around the Zoo.
Department manager:
Curator
of L.V.I
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 (£30) as part of your
induction.
Any health and safety requirements:
Staff
you support will talk you through all relevant health and safety requirements
and risk assessments for the duties that you will be carrying out, with you
needing to carry out full training for the role. 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 L.V.I Department Voluntary
Worker role
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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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
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