Discovery Guide Volunteer Program SPRING-2017

To The Applicant:

Becoming a Discovery Guide at the Queens Zoo can be an exciting and rewarding volunteer experience. As a Discovery Guide, you will serve an important role in the education of guests visiting the zoo. Discovery Guides will share a conservation message by interacting with families and leading fun activities, so enthusiasm and a positive attitude are a must!

 All applicants must be at least fourteen (14) years of age by March 11th, 2017. Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) must provide parent/guardian signature. Incomplete applications will not be considered. o Applicants over the age of 18 will be subject to a criminal background check.  All applicants must successfully complete a training course, including written assignments and exams. Training sessions will take place at the Queens Zoo on March 11, 2017, March 18, 2017, March 25, 2017, and April 1, 2017 from 12 pm-5pm. Each session will cover topics such as conservation biology, zoo collection, public speaking skills, and activities designed to foster good relations among Discovery Guides.  Discovery Guides do not handle or care for live animals.  All applicants must be willing and able to speak to zoo visitors and lead educational discussions at an exhibit.  All applicants must be willing and able to volunteer both indoors and outdoors, regardless of weather.  All applicants must be willing and able to interact with children of varying ages, as well as adults.  Upon successful completion of the training course, a minimum time commitment is required. Volunteers must commit to 1 weekend volunteer day (9:30-4:00) each week from March-End of June 2017. Volunteers are also needed during public school spring recess (April 10-18).

Please consider all the information above before submitting your application.

Fall 2017 Application Deadline-January 20, 2017

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QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Discovery Guide Teen Volunteer Program Spring 2017 Application Deadline- January 20, 2017

Completed application can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Coordinator of Volunteers, Queens Zoo Education Department. 53-51 111th Street, Corona, NY 11368

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name ______Date of Birth______Address______Apt. # ______City______State ______Zip Code______Home phone #______Cell phone #______Email address______Shirt Size______(Please complete information about parent/guardian if applicant is under the age of 18) Parent/Guardian Name ______Parent/Guardian Phone # ______Email address______

EDUCATION

What is your level of education? (Please check one) ( ) Some high school ( ) High school graduate ( ) Some college ( ) Other If you are currently enrolled in school, please provide your school’s information School Name______School Address______City______State______Zip Code______School Phone______School Fax______District # (if NYC public school) ______

EXPERIENCE Please feel free to attach a resume in addition to providing the information below.

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Work Experience (if applicable)

Current employer______Job Title/Description______Address______City/State/Zip______Direct Supervisor______Phone # ______Volunteer Experience (if applicable) Organization______Dates of service______Title______Address______City/State/Zip______Direct Supervisor______Phone #______Email______Duties:______

Have you ever worked/volunteered for the Wildlife Conservation Society? Yes _____No ______

If yes: which facility? ______Title/Job______Direct Supervisor______Email______Dates______Duties______

Other Experience Do you have any public speaking experience? Please specify. ______Do you have experience working with children? Please specify. ______

INTEREST SURVEY Please give complete answers. Attach an extra sheet of paper (or use the last page of this application) if you feel you need more space.

How/where did you hear about the Discovery Guide program?______Do you have any special skills or talents (the arts, public speaking, research skills, etc.) that you think are applicable? ______

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY ______Are you fluent in another language? Please specify: ______

In your opinion, what is the purpose of a zoo or aquarium?______How do you feel about animals being kept in a zoo?______Please tell us why you are interested in volunteering at the Queens Zoo, what you hope to gain from the experience, and what you feel you can contribute to our organization. Please limit your response to 200 words. If you need additional space, please attach an additional sheet of paper to the application. ______

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY ______

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

SCHEDULING PREFERENCES Spring Discovery Guide Volunteers are expected to commit to attending (4) training sessions on on March 11, 2017, March 18, 2017, March 25, 2017, and April 1, 2017 from 12 pm-5pm. Volunteers are also expected to commit to serving 1 weekend day per week (Saturday or Sunday) from March 2017-End of June 2017. Volunteers are also needed during public school spring recess (April 10-18). Are you able to make this commitment? Yes_____ No______

Identify your scheduling availability by checking the each day that you are able to volunteer.

I am available to volunteer on Saturdays

I am available to volunteer on Sundays

The Queens Zoo is open almost every day of the year, including all holidays. Are you available to volunteer on certain holidays? Yes______No______

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING Our mission is to educate the guests visiting the Queens Zoo about wildlife in the park and the need for wildlife conservation. We do not handle any of the animals nor do we help care for them. This is an unpaid volunteer position. The Human Resources Department of the Wildlife Conservation Society is the department charged with processing applications for paid employment not volunteer positions. For information regarding other positions, please visit: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers.aspx

If accepted as a Queens Zoo Discovery Guide, I agree to be available to volunteer at least 2 full days day per week from July 2016-Labor Day 2016. I understand that I will not be working directly with animals in any capacity. I have read the acknowledgment of understanding, I have considered the requirements and essential functions, and I would like to submit my application for the Queens Zoo's Discovery Guide Program. SIGNATURES I certify that I am at least fourteen (14) years of age. Applicants 18 years of age and older will be subject to a background check. Applicant’s Printed Name (print)______

Applicant’s Signature______Date______

If applicant is under 18 years of age, please have parent/guardian sign:

Parent/Guardian Name (print)______

Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______

Please see next page for mailing instructions

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Please email completed application to [email protected] or mail to: Coordinator of Volunteers, Queens Zoo Education Department 53-51 111th Street Corona, NY 11368

Spring 2017 Application Deadline- January 20, 2017

This is a highly competitive program. Select applicants will be invited to attend a group interview at the Queens Zoo. If we think you would be a good fit for the program, we will offer you an opportunity to volunteer with us and you will be required to attend training sessions before beginning your duties.

ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR ANSWERS AND COMMENTS:

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Discovery Guide Teen/College Student Volunteer Recommendation Form

To The Student: This form is to be completed by a school faculty member or community leader. You may submit an application without this form; however, the recommendation form must be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered complete. You may submit additional letters of recommendation; however, these documents should not be submitted in place of this form. Please do not submit copies of your school transcripts.

To the Evaluator: The student listed below is applying to the Queen Zoo Education Department’s Discovery Guide Program. The Discovery Guide Program is designed to be a rewarding volunteer opportunity that allows its participants to assist our conservation efforts by educating guests visiting the Queens Zoo. Guides will focus on a select group of visitor experiences and, in turn, gain experience with teaching, leadership, and public speaking, while learning about animals and the wild places they inhabit! Through interpretation at zoo exhibits and special events, Discovery Guides interact with thousands of visitors from all over the world. The Discovery Guide program is a highly competitive and unpaid volunteer opportunity. While all interested individuals (over age 14) should apply, we actively recruit high school students from public and private schools within New York City and neighboring counties. Space in this program is limited. We are looking for enthusiastic, outgoing, creative, motivated, team players, who have an interest in science, education, or conservation. Prospective guides should also have the ability to adapt to a fast paced environment. Your insight regarding this student is important to us and we would appreciate your candid responses to the questions below. Please feel free to attach a separate sheet of paper, if needed.

Student’s Printed Name______Teacher/Evaluator’s Name______School/Organization______Work Phone______Work Email______Signature______

1. In what capacity and for how long have you known this student?

2. How would you rate this student’s ability to work with the public? Have you observed this student’s interpersonal skills?

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY 3. Does this student have the maturity and responsibility to represent the Queens Zoo as a volunteer? How has he/she demonstrated these qualities in school or in your program?

4. Does this student have a well-developed interest or background in science? What special projects or studies has he/she undertaken?

5. What other comments/insight can you offer in support of this student’s application to become a Queens Zoo Discovery Guide?

6. 6. How would you rate this student’s ability to be able to work with the public?

7. Please rate the student’s abilities by placing an x in the appropriate boxes

1 2 3 4 5 6 Outstanding Excellent Good Average Fair Below Average Oral communication Skills Common sense Curiosity Creativity Dependability Sense of responsibility Self-motivation Ability to work in a group Reaction to criticism Regard for authority Regard for rules Cooperation Flexibility Sensitivity to others’ feelings Ability to follow directions

Please give this recommendation (in a sealed envelope if you prefer) to the student to submit with their application. If that is not possible, please email recommendation to [email protected] or mail to Coordinator of Volunteers, Queens Zoo Education Department 53-51 111th Street, Corona, NY 11368 Application Deadline is January 20, 2017. Thank you for taking the time to complete this recommendation.

QUEENS ZOO DISCOVERY GUIDE APPLICATION, SPRING 2017 |WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY