Endangered Wolf Center

Volunteer Position Qualifications, Skills, & Abilities: Outreach Volunteers are responsible for assisting staff member(s) set up and run outreach programs, including but not limited to classroom activities, assemblies, career fairs, and festival booths.

 

This position requires the ability to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds while at various locations, both indoor and outdoor, with limited breaks.

 

Minimum age requirement: 18 years old

 

Time Commitment & Scheduling: Volunteers must commit to at least 12 months with a minimum of 30 hours of service per year, which may be split between various volunteer roles. Outreach Volunteer opportunities are available year round, with a significant uptick in the fall. Outreaches can be any day of the week and vary in length from two hours to multiple days. An Outreach Volunteer may sign up for an entire outreach or a single shift, depending on the length of the program.

 

Volunteer Screening Process: Those interested in volunteering must complete a volunteer application. After an interview, potential volunteers must provide proof of being up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including initial doses (1- or 2-dose varieties) and all eligible boosters, and may need to pass a background check.

 

Volunteer Supervision: Outreach Volunteers report directly to the Community Engagement Coordinator, though other staff members may assist with training, supervision, and running outreach programs. Any concerns that cannot be addressed by the Community Engagement Coordinator should be directed to the Education Manager.

 

Volunteer Training Process: Those chosen to become Outreach Volunteers must attend one of the quarterly Volunteer Orientation Days. Upon completion, they will be trained primarily during the course of their volunteering time, either by the Community Engagement Coordinator or a long-time volunteer familiar with outreaches. If any training needs to be conducted prior to a particular task, the Community Engagement Coordinator or the Education Manager will reach out to either schedule a training day or notify of training material available online. If a volunteer has limited access to the internet, a printed copy of training materials can be provided upon request.

 

Docent training is not required to be an Outreach Volunteer, but it is highly recommended as this position requires a significant interaction with guests as well as answering questions about the animals cared for at the Endangered Wolf Center. This training includes an online quiz that must be renewed yearly.

 

Personal Appearance/Dress Code: Outreach Volunteers will be provided a blue Endangered Wolf Center t-shirt and a name tag that they must wear anytime they are at an outreach program. Additional shirts are available for purchase. If 75 hours of volunteer service is completed during the course of one year, a blue Endangered Wolf Center polo will be available for purchase, which may be worn instead of the t-shirt. Outreach Volunteers are also required to wear black or khaki pants and closedtoe shoes. Shorts may be worn on warm days, provided they are as long or longer than mid-thigh. Long sleeves may be worn under uniform shirts and jackets, coats, and vests may be worn as long as they are plain and do not contain wording (small, unobtrusive brand logos acceptable). Endangered Wolf Center branded jackets are acceptable. Plain or Endangered Wolf Center hats may be worn as long as they do not detract from the guests' experience.

 

If the Community Engagement Coordinator decides to modify the dress code for a particular outreach, they will contact each volunteer scheduled to notify them of this change.

 

Outreach Volunteers act as representatives to the public. It is the policy of the Endangered Wolf Center that Outreach Volunteers maintain a level of personal hygiene while performing their appointed duties. Offensive odors and disheveled appearance may lower the guests' experience. An Outreach Volunteer who does not meet these requirements may be subject to disciplinary action, which may prohibit them from participating in future programs or attending special events and fundraisers.