Zoo Volunteer

Department: Park Services- Zoo                                                            Volunteer/Unpaid Position

Position Summary

Volunteers are critical to Randall Oaks Zoo and Park and help us achieve our mission to connect our community with wildlife and nature; to create a sense of wonder, discovery, respect, and appreciation of the natural world.  As a part of the volunteer community, you’ll help us achieve that mission; do practical, helpful work; all while sharing our passion for animals and the community. This volunteer position will provide support to staff at the Randall Oaks Zoo. This unpaid position will learn more about what it takes to take care of over 160 animals that live at Randall Oaks Zoo.

THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION. 

The two types of volunteers are:

• Animal Care Volunteers- assists the Zoo Keepers with daily animal care.
• Zoo Docents Volunteers- connect our guests with our animals through education and interpretation.

Volunteer Functions

• Assist designated staff members in animal care and diet prep.

• Work inside the petty zoo, pony ride, and other special events with other staff members. Provide customer service to our guests and patrons.
• Many other tasks to keep the Randall Oaks Zoo and Park running daily.
• Supports DTPD’s Mission statement and the Randall Oaks Zoo and Park, by providing excellent internal and external service to guests.  
• Completes all additional duties as prescribed by management.
• Assists other Park District employees when needed.
• Supports DTPD’s Mission Statement, by providing excellent service to the community.

• Completed all additional duties as prescribed by management.

Marginal Functions/Responsibilities – Other non-essential duties as assigned. 

Communication & Customer Service

• Develops and maintains positive and effective working relationship with coworkers and to promote and maintain high morale and enthusiasm.
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Communicates matters of importance in a timely manner.
• Solicits feedback and actively listens to management and guests. 

• Makes recommendations to management for improvements and efficiencies.
• Volunteer represents the Dundee Township Park District in a professional manner.

Safety & Risk Management

• Maintains a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety rules.
• Uses material handling equipment or staff assistance when lifting and/or moving objects 50 pounds or heavier.
• Reports any work-related injuries to supervisor promptly.
• Immediately reports all accidents and unsafe conditions to the supervisor.
• Attends required safety program and in-service education meetings as required.
• Corrects unsafe conditions, if possible, alerts managers to potential unsafe conditions and/or reports them to supervisor.

Must be able to use personal protective equipment based on job specific tasks, will be trained on the required PPE.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years of age with parental consent or 18 years  or older for Animal Care.

• Some previous experience with animals, preferred.
• Licensures: N/A
• Certifications and/or Memberships: N/A

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Good physical condition, sufficient strength, and mobility required.
• Mechanical aptitude required, including the use of tools, equipment, and machinery.
• Ability to speak and understand Spanish strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and skills in technology, or the ability to learn.
• Ability to learn additional software and systems required for business transactions.
• Reading, writing, speaking and understanding English language.
• Possess good problem solving skills and has capacity to act rationally and calmly in high stress and/or emergency situations.
• Ability to work a varied schedule including some nights and weekends as required.
• Ability to pay meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to execute the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Hours Standards

This is a Volunteer position with a minimum of one shift per week.