Volunteer Program Guide: Winter/Spring 2017 1
Table of Contents Core Values 3 Contact Information...3 Responsibilities.. 4 Program Fees...6 Volunteer Benefits. 6 Recognition Program..7 Adult Volunteer Opportunities Docent 8 Keeper Aide... 9 Guest Services Aide. 10 Administrative Aide..11 Horticulture Aide.... 12 Conservation Support Team... 13 Teen Volunteer Positions Jr. Ambassador..14 Jr. Docent. 15 Counselor in Training (CIT).. 16 One-Time Volunteer Opportunities Special Events.. 17 Group Volunteering... 18 Volunteer Training Calendar...19 2
Our Core Values Integrity We conduct ourselves and our organization with integrity; we are honest, accountable, and loyal at all times. Quality We commit to quality. We provide the finest animal care and facilities; a safe, fun, easy, and educational experience for our guests; progressive and relevant programs; and a clear vision for our future. Respect We treat others with respect; we are compassionate and considerate in our actions. Collaboration We make better decisions when we work together as a team including with our partners. We are more productive and satisfied when we know each other and there is great energy when we are all working together to achieve our goals. Fun We enjoy and value the people we work with and environment we work in. It decreases burnout, increases collaboration and employee retention. It makes our workday enjoyable. This impacts our own experience as well as our guests experience positively. How to Contact Us Manager of Volunteer Programs: Email: smclemore@sbzoo.org Shomari McLemore Phone: (805) 560-9889 x153 Volunteer Office Support Email: volunteer@sbzoo.org In an EMERGENCY only: call the Santa Barbara Zoo (805) 962-5339 and ask them to radio the Education Staff. 3
Program Positions and Fees On-Going Positions (program membership) Adult Programs Position Membership fee: $36/year Docent Keeper Aide Guest Services Aide Horticulture Aide Keeper Aide/Docent Combo Registration Fee $100 $80 $50 $50 $120 Position Jr. Docent Jr. Ambassador Teen Programs Membership fee: $18/year $100 $50 Registration Fee *CIT- (Seasonal Position) First-time Returning $80 $40 *program membership not required One-Time Positions (community member) Position Registration Fee Special Events Groups $0 $0 Program Membership Benefits Invitations to Brown Bag Lunches Invitation to Appreciation Events 10% discount on food and retail Free parking (except on holidays and weekends) Access to online Volunteer Information Center (VICNet) Individual position coaching Regular animal update emails Participation in Recognition Program And more Volunteer Application Form All volunteer application forms can be found at www.sbzoo.org 4
Recognition Program Program membership is required to participate in this program. ADULT VOLUNTEERS 50 hours annually 80 hours annually 150 hours annually 180 hours annually 300+ hours annually 5,000 hours cumulative Commemorative Pin * * * * * * Free Individual Admission * * * * * * Invitations to Lectures * * * * * * Invitations to Brown Bag * * * * * * Lunches & Patio Pot Lucks 10% Discount * * * * * * Zoo Library Access * * * * * * Invitation to Volunteer Recognition Event 2 Guest Passes or Individual Membership 6 Guest Passes or Family Membership * * * * * Supporting Membership * * * Golden Membership (50 years) Behind-the-Scenes Certificate * * 5
Volunteer Program Opportunities Docent Santa Barbara Zoo Docents are volunteer teachers who share their knowledge of the Zoo and the natural world by interpreting exhibits, running activities, using bio-facts and kits, leading tours, participating in observational research, assisting with children's programs and special events. Health: free of Tuberculosis (TB Skin Test) Background Check: successfully clear Department of Justice (DOJ) Livescan Availability Must be able to commit to at least one 2-hour shift a week for at least 6 months after completion of training 11:00am-1:00pm, or 1:00pm-3:00pm, or Discuss alternate scheduling options with the Volunteer Office Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $100 Submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) Test to the Volunteer Office Due by training Required annually in order to volunteer Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Core Training B: (1 courses) Natural History: (1 course) Shadow two Docent shifts Attend four keeper talks Mammal Bird Herp Elephant On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Attend at least 4 brown bag lunches Participate in at least 4 Special Events 6
Keeper Aide Volunteers perform duties as required for the care and maintenance of Zoo exhibits. Maintenance activities include scrubbing and hosing enclosures, removing trash, and assisting keepers with various projects. Minimum Age: 18yrs + Health: free of Tuberculosis (TB Skin Test) Good physical condition: Grain bag test Availability Must be able to commit to a 4-hour shift a week for at least 6 months after completion of training 8:00am-12:00pm (Fall/Winter) 7:00am-11:00am (Spring/Summer) Interview upon completion of Core Training A Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $80 Submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) test to the Volunteer Office Due by first class Required annually in order to volunteer Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Core Training B: (2 courses) Intro to Animal Care, Enrichment, & Training Keeper Aide Safety Rotations: 5 weeks of onsite training (one 4 hour shift a week) Evaluation: Upon request or as needed Participate in at least 2 Special Events 7
Guest Services Aide Volunteers enhance the guest experience by assisting Guest Services staff with customer service operations. Duties include greeting guests, collecting train tickets, giraffe deck line management, and answering frequently asked questions. Background Check: successfully clear Department of Justice (DOJ) Livescan Availability Must be able to commit to at least one 2-hour shift a week for at least 6 months after completion of training Discuss scheduling options with the Volunteer Office and/or Department Lead Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $50 Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Shadow GS Aide for 2 shifts On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Participate in at least 2 Special Events 8
Administrative Aide Volunteers perform a variety of office duties including data entry, filing, copying, and preparing mailings. Administrative volunteers work on flexible schedules with on-the-job training Background Check: successfully clear Department of Justice (DOJ) Livescan Availability Must be able to commit to at least one 2-hour shift a week for at least 6 months after completion of training Discuss alternate scheduling options with the Volunteer Office and/or Department Lead Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $50 Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) TBA On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Participate in 2 Special Events 9
Horticulture Aide Volunteers perform duties as required for the care and cultivation of zoo horticulture. Participants may be asked to interpret horticulture features for zoo guests. Background Check: successfully clear Department of Justice (DOJ) Livescan Health: free of Tuberculosis (TB Skin Test) Availability Must be able to commit to at least one 2-hour shift a week for at least 6 months after completion of training 11:00am-1:00pm, or 1:00pm-3:00pm, or Discuss alternate scheduling options with the Volunteer Office Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $50 Submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) Test to the Volunteer Office Due by training Required annually in order to volunteer Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Core Training B: (1 courses) Intro to Animal Care, Enrichment, & Training Natural History: (1 course) Local Ecology On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Attend at least 4 brown bag lunches Participate in at least 2 Special Events 10
Conservation Support Team The Santa Barbara Zoo works closely with a number of local conservation partners on programs dedicated to helping threatened and endangered species such as the California condor, Channel Island fox, California red-legged frog, and Southern sea otter. Generally, these partnerships require professional level staff assistance in the field. However, from time to time, opportunities to assist with habitat restoration, monarch butterfly counts, trail maintenance, and beach clean-ups are open to volunteer assistance. Minimum Age: 18yrs + Minimum 1 year experience as a volunteer program member Availability Variable schedule Discuss scheduling options with the Volunteer Office Interview On-the-job training and orientation On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed 11
Jr. Ambassadors Teen volunteers enhance the guest experience by assisting Guest Services staff with customer service operations. Duties include greeting guests, collecting train tickets, giraffe deck line management, and answering frequently asked questions. Availability Must be able to commit to at least two 2-hour shift a month for at least 3 months after completion of training Discuss scheduling options with the Volunteer Office and/or Department Lead Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $50 Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Shadow GS Aide for 2 shifts On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Participate in at least 2 Special Events 12
Jr. Docent Santa Barbara Zoo Docents are volunteer teachers who share their knowledge of the Zoo and the natural world by interpreting exhibits, running activities, using bio-facts and kits, leading tours, participating in observational research, assisting with children's programs and special events. Health: free of Tuberculosis (TB Skin Test) Availability Must be able to commit to at least two 2-hour shift a month for at least 3 months after completion of training 11:00am-1:00pm, or 1:00pm-3:00pm, or Discuss scheduling options with the Volunteer Office Current volunteer program member Registration Fee: $100 Submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) Test to the Volunteer Office Due by training Required annually in order to volunteer Complete coursework with at least 80% success rate on evaluations Core Training A: (3 courses) Core Training B: (1 courses) Natural History: (1 course) Shadow two Docent shifts Attend four keeper talks Mammal Bird Herp Elephant On-Going: Complete mid-year/annual evaluation as needed Participate in at least 4 Special Events 13
Counselor-In-Training (CIT) CITs act as aides to Zoo Camp counselors during seasonal Zoo Camp sessions. They lead songs, play games, and assist young campers with arts and crafts while ensuring their safety. Minimum Age: Jr. High Student Availability Must commit to attend at least 3 weeks of zoo camp May 21: Application & Reference Letter Due Successfully complete an interview April: Group Interviews (Early Bird) Saturday, April 8 or Sunday, April 9 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (both days) June: Group Interviews (individual interviews available upon request) Saturday June 1 st, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. July 6 & 7 : Two Mandatory Training Days Day 1 Day 2 Date: Thursday July 6, 2017 Date: Friday July 7, 2017 Duration: 8am 5pm Duration: 8am 5pm Program Duration 2017: See Program Schedule Program Fees: First-time CIT- $80 Returning CIT- $40 2017 Summer Zoo Camp Schedule Week 1 July 10-14 Week 2 July 17-21 Week 3 July 24-28 Week 4 July 31 - Aug 4 Week 5 August 7-11 Week 6 August 14-18 Special Opportunities: Teen Meetups: Receive special invitation opportunities to hang out with other teens such as beach clean-ups, overnight safaris, and more! 14
Special Events Volunteer Volunteers staff a variety of positions in support of the zoo s operations during special events. Exceptional customer service skills are necessary. Special events are listed below. Minimum Age: Jr. High Student Discuss scheduling options with the Volunteer Office Fully completed online special event application Attend special event orientation 2017 Special Event List: March 11: Princess Day April 22: Zoo-to-Do October 20-22: Boo at the Zoo (3-day event) December 3: Snow Leopard Festival 15
Group Volunteering Group volunteering is a great way for any company or club to give back to the community. Projects typically include assisting horticulture staff with invasive plant removal, weed control, painting, mulching plant beds, and other various tasks. Group size range: 10 25 participants Availability: Must be able to commit to 4-hour shift Participants must 13yrs+ Meet all policy requirements Groups with volunteers under the age of 18 must provide one adult for every five minors. Must identify a Group Coordinator to be responsible for safety and well-being of members He/she provides coordination and supervision for the group while volunteering He/she ensures all members adhere to Zoo rules and procedures He/she ensures all appropriate consent and liability waivers are submitted Submit proper liability waivers and/or consent forms Attend safety orientation (day of event) 16
Volunteer Training Calendar: Winter/Spring 2017 January 22 Job & Volunteer Expo 3pm 5pm February 4 New Volunteer Orientation 9am Noon 11 New Volunteer Orientation 9am Noon 18 Creating the Guest Experience 9am 11am 18 Intro to Interpretation Noon 3pm March 9 Intro to Zoos* Noon 2pm 16 Conservation Programs 5:30pm 7:30pm 18 Creating the Guest Experience 9am 11am 18 Intro to Interpretation Noon 3pm 25 Intro to Animal Care, Enrichment, & Training 9:30am noon 25 Keeper Aide Safety** (by invitation only) 1pm 4pm April 1 Mammals 9am noon 8 Local Ecology 10am noon 8 Birds 1pm 3pm 15 Reptiles 10am noon 15 Amphibians 1pm 3pm 23 Nutrition 11am 1pm Core Training A Core Training B Natural History Brown Bag 17