Position Title: Volunteer Program Specialist

Position Overview: The Volunteer Program Specialist participates with the Friends of Zoo Boise Education Department team in providing zoo guests with engaging and meaningful educational experiences regarding animals & their habitats. The Volunteer Program Specialist will work with the Volunteer Coordinator to provide training, guidance and management for all Zoo Boise volunteers.

Employer: Friends of Zoo Boise, Education and Volunteer Services Department

Reports to: Volunteer Program Coordinator

Schedule:

· Full-time, 40 hrs/week, Tuesday-Saturday

· Some evenings, for select trainings and special events, and some holidays will be required; advanced notice will be provided.

About Zoo Boise: Zoo Boise is a 17-acre zoo located in beautiful Julia Davis Park of downtown Boise, Idaho. Our mission is to connect our visitors with animals to inspire and involve our community in the conservation of wildlife worldwide. It is home to over 300 animals from 100 species, receives 340,000 visitors annually and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Friends of Zoo Boise is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that supports Zoo Boise in the area of animal acquisition, capital improvement projects, education programs, volunteer opportunities, and special events. The goal of each of these components is to increase public awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the zoo, wild animals, animal habitats, species conservation, and the environment. www.zooboise.org

Responsibilities

· Assist with volunteer orientation, training, management, and evaluation for Zoo Boise volunteers of all ages

· With the Volunteer Coordinator, manage volunteer schedules and daily guest experience schedules including Butterflies in Bloom habitat, Conservation Cruise, Giraffe Encounter, Sloth Bear Encounter, Zoo Farm encounter, face painting fundraiser, animal ambassador encounters, and biology & ecology themed demonstrations

· Work with Interpretive Coordinator to prepare and deliver weekly training on ecology, biology, conservation, and interpretive techniques for volunteers

· Assist with planning and coordination of volunteer recognition activities

· Maintain communication with volunteers via email, biweekly newsletter, and volunteer database

· Maintain a clean and orderly Volunteer Center

· Communicate with other zoo staff regarding assistance needed with volunteer activities

· Build and maintain relationships with volunteers

· Other duties as assigned

Pay Rate and Benefits

· $16-18 per hour

· Vacation, medical benefits, retirement and & savings plan available.

Requirements

· Pursuing or obtained bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in non-profit management, human resources, museum studies, communications, environmental studies, education, or related field

· Basic knowledge of Microsoft office

· Ability to work in a variety of outdoor weather conditions

· Ability to traverse the zoo property

· Previous animal handling experience or be willing to be trained

· Ability to teach about many types of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates

· Excellent organizational and time management skills

Ability to work flexible work schedule including nights and weekends.

· Willing to submit to and pass a criminal history background check

· If employment offer is made, offer is contingent upon receipt of negative TB test documentation within the previous 12 months before start date

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience managing volunteers

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously

· Independent, self-motived, creative, and resourceful; enjoys working with a diverse group of people

· Demonstrate a positive, cheerful, professional and customer-service oriented attitude

· A commitment to the wildlife conservation goals of Zoo Boise

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs., rarely lifting/carrying up to 35 lbs. Also, the employee is rarely pushing/pulling up to 35 lbs. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and smell. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment: The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, in wet and humid conditions, with areas of dust, odors, mist, gases or other airborne matter.

To Apply: To apply, send cover letter, resumé and references by December 12th, 2023 by 5:00 pm MST to:

Tierney Ball and Julia Cammarata at zoovolunteer@cityofboise.org

No phone calls please.

Zoo Boise

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Volunteer Program Specialist