Zoo Educator/Docent--teaching people about animals

Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Being a Zoo Educator/Docent is the perfect opportunity for the person who wants their volunteer experience to involve flexible scheduling, meeting people of all ages, working as a team, learning about animals, teaching about animals, and FUN! This position has a variety of volunteer activities to select from: choose to meet and greet visitors, or perhaps lead a tour, try hosting a Discovery touch cart or going out into the community with our traveling animals (no previous animal experience needed but training is required). Volunteers can also choose to assist in our special events, such as Zoo Goes Boo, Christmas with the Animals, or Member's Nights, etc. Opportunities are available during weekdays, weekends and some evenings.
New Volunteer Educators (Docents) are accepted in the Spring. The next opportunity for becoming an education volunteer will be in Spring 2012. For more information and an application please visit www.johnballzoosociety.org.

Volunteer Educators/Docents must be 18 years of age.
Some Volunteer work may require physical strength and stamina, lifting, climbing, standing and walking. Volunteers may be asked to work in inclement weather.
Prospective volunteers must complete an Orientation session, an application, a brief interview and a successful background check.
Basic Classroom and hands-on training, and mentoring, are provided for all incoming Volunteer Educators. Some activities may require additional training and evaluation.
Once training is completed, Volunteers are able to select the activities and frequency with which they volunteer. We ask for 75 hours per year and offer incentives for different levels of hourly service.
Zoo Volunteer Educators wear a red & khaki uniform and name tag, and are expected to abide by the policies of the John Ball Zoo, its Education Department, and the Volunteer Organization.

This opportunity is sponsored by: John Ball Zoo

Volunteers will work with the following groups Adolescents (13-17) Families / Parents Adults (26-54) Older Adults (55+) Children (5-12) Young Adults (18-25) We need volunteers who are free at these times Evenings Weekends Weekdays This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Individual Adults (55+) Young Adults (18-25) This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Animals & Environment Environmental Education & Technology We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Public Relations / Outreach Teaching Public Speaking Tour Guide / Docent

Contact Person: Jim Swarts, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

1300 West Fulton Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (See a map)

Directions:

John Ball Zoo is located on the west side of Grand Rapids, on the corner of Fulton Street and Valley. From downtown, take Fulton street west to Valley. There's easy access off of westbound 196 from Grandville/Jenison area at exit 75 (Lake Michigan Drive), keeping right as it diverges into Fulton Street near the entrance of the Zoo parking lot. Access from 131 South-bound to 196 East; use the Lane Street exit off 196 East. Turn left at Lane and continue to Fulton Street. Turn right (heading west) until the intersection of Fulton and Valley.   Nearest Bus Stop: Fulton & Valley, 5 minute walk