Great at Organising & Talking on the Phone We'd Love You

GREAT AT ORGANISING & TALKING ON THE PHONE WE’D LOVE YOU TO JOIN OUR TEAM!

VOLUNTEER WITH THE SYDNEY OBSERVATORY ADMIN TEAM

Sydney Observatory, built in 1858, is Australia’s oldest existing observatory and one of the most significant sites in the nation’s scientific history. In 1982 Sydney Observatory came under the management of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. It is now a museum of astronomy and offers a range of educational programs in astronomy and science, which includes the solar system, the universe, space travel, and the history of astronomy.

We are looking for a School Rewards Volunteer

Role Description: Sydney Observatory receives many requests for support form schools and community organisations. The policy has been to support all NSW schools ( High Schools, Primary schools, State and private schools) and the Starlight Foundation. This must be handled in an ethical and open way and recorded so that there is an auditable system.

The aim is to engage with schools who will then make a booking, or for their parents and friends to promote Sydney observatory as a great place to visit during school holidays or weekends. This system has been working well and the uptake of the complimentary tickets is high which means the message is reaching the schools. There are approximately 12-15 applications for support a month.

This is a feel good role. It provides direct contact with school fundraisers and an opportunity to say theMAAS is supportive of education for all schools.

Key Volunteer Tasks: 1 day per fortnight (10am – 2pm) Based at Sydney Observatory Read requests and make a decision Phone the school or requester (or send an email) Address the envelope correctly and include relevant information Send out tickets with brochures and any forms in a professional manner Keep a log of requests

Skills & Knowledge Required: Professional manner Good phone manner. Tidy handwriting or ability to use word to produce addressed envelopes ( but neat handwriting is fine too!!!) Follow procedures and use discretion Ideally use email and a computer - not essential! Follow a process from go to whoa

Please send completed form to: The Volunteer Program Coordinator PO Box K346, Haymarket, NSW 1238 Ph: 02 9217 0676 Email: [email protected]

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEERS

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS). We hope this information will help you with your application and answer some of your queries.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences also incorporates the Powerhouse Museum, the Powerhouse Discovery Centre and Sydney Observatory, is a public institution, funded primarily by the state government, for the people of New South Wales..

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees under the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Act 1945 The Trustees of the museum are appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister for the Arts, for a period of three years and may serve for a maximum of three terms.

The Powerhouse Museum is enjoyed by many local visitors as well as visitors from across Australia and overseas. Since its opening in 1988, the Powerhouse Museum has gained a proud reputation as the largest, most popular museum in Australia. Science, technology, decorative arts, social history and design are all major exhibition themes.

The Powerhouse Discovery Centre is the Powerhouse Museum’s off-site collection storage facility. A new ‘museum visitor experience’ model and program to increase public access to the Powerhouse’s Collection has been developed and was officially opened at the Castle Hill site in March 2007.

THE MAAS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteers have been involved with the Museum from the very first day it opened its door in 1988. The Volunteer Program attracts people with a range of backgrounds and skills, a shared commitment to the collection and a desire to help the museum.

The MAAS Volunteers bring substantial benefit to:

 Our visitors by enhancing their experiences and understanding of museum objects and exhibitions.

 Our organisation by bringing specialist advice and skills into the organisation and through the provision of additional support to particular programs.

 The wider community by providing an avenue for community participation in specific exhibitions or the organisation as a whole.

MAAS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM POLICY

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) values volunteers' work and the role they play in the life of the Museum. Volunteers actively involve the community in the mission and the activities of the Museum. Their knowledge, experience and skills provide support and a high standard of customer service to the Museum.

Volunteers are a valuable resource to the Museum, its staff and visitors and are provided:

. appropriate education and training . the status of co-worker . effective supervision . recognition for their work and training . a statement of duties . an appropriate place to work, provided with the necessary equipment and resources to perform their duties effectively and comfortably

The Museum expects that volunteers will perform their duties to the best of their abilities and remain loyal to the values, mission, goals, policies and procedures of the Museum. The Museum’s Workplace Ethics and Code of Conduct provide guidelines on the personal behaviour expected of volunteers in the workplace.

Volunteers and staff are considered to be partners in implementing the mission and programs of the Museum. It is essential that each partner understands and respects the roles, needs and abilities of the other.

The Museum Staff are expected to be courteous, fair and honest in their personal and professional dealings with volunteers and to acknowledge the value of volunteer work.

Volunteers will only be asked to undertake work which supports and assists the staff. Volunteers will not replace paid workers.

The Volunteer Program is open to all individuals over the age of 16. There may be special occasions, programs and projects where volunteer participation will be open to individuals under the age of 16 years. The Museum Director will approve such activities on a case by case basis.

Volunteers are subject to adherence to the same policies that guide staff within the Museum, including – Code of Conduct Conflict of Interest Policy Child Protection policy and procedures Drug and alcohol policy Gifts and benefits policy Internet and email policy

Reference and Security Checks Standard reference recruitment checks will be made for each volunteer. Volunteers must have completed a Working with Children Check, which will be verified by the Museum. Find out more: http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/working-with-children-check

3 SYDNEY OBSERVATORY SCHOOL REWARDS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION – 2014 Date of Application:

First name Last name

Working with Children Check Verification Number: Apply here: http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/working-with-children-check

Date of birth Mobile phone

Home phone Email

Mailing Address:

What role are you interested in (please tick one or more options):  SCHOOL REWARDS VOLUNTEER

Resume is attached with this application: Yes No

Referees (Please provide contact details for a referee and your association with the referee

Name: Phone no:

Association to you:

Emergency Details (these are kept on file in case of an emergency during training/ volunteering)

Emergency contact name:

Emergency contact number: Relationship:

Volunteer details

Please list relevant training, work experience, volunteer experience, you have:

Please list any other abilities you consider relevant:

Why do you wish to be a volunteer with the Sydney Observatory team?