Volunteer Opportunities Fall 2012 (External) SCHOOL PROGRAMS (5 positions) 1) Marine Educator Preschool to Grade 3 Programs: Staying Alive, Sea Sensations, Aquatic Adventures Program Coordinator(s): School Programs Coordinators Lead groups of 5-8 students through education stations Facilitate and teach students in Aquarium School Programs while providing a safe environment for students to discover and learn about marine animals Engage students and inspire their curiosity creating an emotional connection between the student and ocean animals through familiar themes Provide students with an extraordinary hands-on opportunity to explore the underwater world by observing, discussing and touching live aquatic animals in the Aquarium s galleries and classroom spaces Instil in students a sense of respect for all ocean life and the ocean environment. Strong desire to teach using inquiry-based methods No prior teaching experience necessary, but desired Strong English language communication skills Comfortable interacting with pre-school to grade 3 students Outgoing, creative, enthusiastic, flexible and self-motivated Interested in marine biology High level of professionalism and commitment (punctuality is a must) Former Water Wonders Volunteers would be a great asset None One shift per week on Tuesdays consisting of 5-6 hours between the times of 9:30am and 2:30pm. Min. 100 hours in 6 months (one shift per week) Note: Volunteers who are unable to volunteer for 4-6 hr day shifts will be considered for half-day shifts on a case-by-case basis. Team work; classroom and gallery environment. Leading student groups of 5-8 students. Teaching with live animals and animal artifacts. 1. Tuesdays 9:30am to 2:30pm (5 hours) Job-Specific Training:
General School Programs Training (for anyone who was not previously a school programs volunteer Sept 20, 6-9pm in the Classrooms) Program Specific Training Oct 2, 9:30-2:30pm, Water Wonders Classroom. Date Volunteers Start: Friday October 9 2) Marine Educator Grades 4 to 7 Programs: Extreme Ecosystems, Arctic Biodiversity, Beachwalks Program Coordinator(s): School Programs Coordinators Teaching programs to students from grades 4-7. Facilitate and teach students in Aquarium School Programs while helping students to understand how such an unexpected variety of life is able to persist in the harsh habitats. Help students to investigate key issues that affect Arctic and Amazon biodiversity and learn how human actions can play a significant role in the conservation of these ecosystems. Help students in live animal observations, compare complex food webs, and engage in interactive and hand-on activities. Provides students with a hands-on opportunity to explore the Intertidal zone by searching for live aquatic animals at the beach, within walking distance of the Aquarium. Former Rainforest volunteers and Salmon volunteers are a great fit for these programs! 18+ years Min. 100 hours in 6 months. One shift per week on Fridays between the times of 9:30am and 2:30pm. Volunteers who are unable to volunteer for 4-6 hour day shifts will be considered for half-day shifts on a case-by-case basis. Team work; Classroom, Gallery and Outdoor environment. Leading groups of 5-10 students. Teaching with live animals and animal artifacts. 1. Fridays 9:30-2:30pm (5 hours) Job-Specific Training: General School Programs Training Sept 20, 6-9pm in the Classrooms Program Specific Training Oct 5, 9:30-2:30pm, Water Wonders Classroom. Date Volunteers Start: Friday October 12
3) Marine Educator Grades 4 to 12 Programs: Aqualab, Counting on Howe Sound Program Coordinator(s): School Program Coordinators Facilitate and teach groups of 5-10 students in Aquarium School Programs while helping students to understand diversity of local freshwater and marine invertebrates. Help students to investigate key issues that affect aquatic ecosystems and learn how human actions can play a significant role in the conservation of local shorelines. Help students in live animal observations, compare complex food webs, and engage in interactive and hands-on activities. Supervise and mentor high school students in the Counting on Howe Sound program to teach younger students from the junior grades. Provide inspiration for youth to continue in the fields of marine ecology, taxonomy and conservation. Backgrounds in marine biology or a related biological or environmental field are an enormous asset though not required; training will be provided Strong desire to teach using inquiry-based methods (non-lecture style.) No prior teaching experience necessary, but desired. Tech savvy or the ability to pick up related skills quickly is an asset but not required. Passionate and enthusiast for marine biology and conservation Strong English language communication skills. Comfortable interacting with Grades 4-7 students Outgoing, creative, enthusiastic and self-motivated. High level of professionalism and commitment (punctuality is a must!) Former volunteers of IMB, Conservation Ecology or AED programs are the best fit for this program. Volunteers must be 18+ to teach to secondary students Min. 100 hours in 6 months. One shift per week (M-F) consisting of 3-6 hours between the times of 9:00am and 3:00pm. Half-day shifts are available. Team work; Wet Lab, Classroom and Gallery environment. Leading groups of 5-10 students. Teaching with live animals and animal artefacts. 1. Monday to Friday, 9-12pm (AM shift) 2. Mondays to Friday, 12-3pm (PM shift) 3. Monday to Friday, 9-3pm (1 Shift) Job-Specific Training: General School Programs Training Sept 20, 6-9pm in the Classrooms
Program Specific Training Week of Oct 1-5, 9-3pm in the Wetlab. Specific dates to be determined in early September. Date Volunteers Start: Week of Oct 8-12 (excluding holiday Monday) 4) Marine Educator & School Programs Ambassador Grades K to 12 and General Public Programs: Penguins and AquaGuide Program Coordinator(s): School Programs Coordinators Greet schools, meet teachers and guide groups to their meeting spots in the galleries. Flexible liaison position able to move between various tasks that promote positive visitor experience and marine education. Lead groups of 5-8 students through education stations with short games, activities and animal observations. Facilitate and teach students and visitors while providing a safe environment for students and the general public to discover and learn more about marine animals. Engage learners and inspire their curiosity creating an emotional connection between visitors and ocean animals through familiar themes. Instil in students a sense of respect for all ocean life and the ocean environment. Strong customer service skills Strong desire to teach using inquiry-based methods (not a lecture style). No prior teaching experience necessary, but desired. Comfortable interact ing with people of all ages. Outgoing, creative, enthusiastic, flexible, and self-motivated. Interested in biology. High level of professionalism and commitment. (Punctuality is a must) Strong English language communication skills. Must be 18+ yrs old Min. 100 hours in 6 months. One shift per week (M-F) consisting of 4-6 hours between the times of 9am and 2pm. Volunteers who are unable to volunteer for 4-6 hour day shifts will be considered for half-day shifts on a case-by-case basis. Individual and team work; Gallery environment. Education programming for the general public as well as leading groups of 5-8 students. Teaching with live animals and animal artefacts. 1. Monday to Friday, 9-12pm (AM Shift) 2. Monday to Friday, 12-2pm (PM Shift) 3. Monday to Friday, 9am 2pm (full day volunteers preferred).
Job-Specific Training: General School Programs Training Sept 20, 6-9pm in the Classrooms Oct 1 or Oct 2, 9-2pm. Volunteers must attend only one of two dates above. Date Volunteers Start: Oct 3, 2012 5) Climate Change Mentor Programs: Climate Change Program Coordinator(s): Wade Janzen, Coordinator of Curriculum Programs Teaching programs to students from grade 4 to 7. Supporting and mentoring 30 grade 12 students with the delivery of the Carbon Games program. Provide feedback on student projects, acting as a point person during game play. Programs include Carbon Games in Fall and Winter, as well as Beachwalks High & Low Tide in Spring Strong desire to teach using inquiry-based methods (non-lecture style). No prior teaching experience necessary, but desired. Tech savvy or the ability to pick up related skills quickly is an asset but not required Passionate and enthusiast for marine biology and conservation Strong English language communication skills. Comfortable interacting with Grade 4 to Grade 12 students Outgoing, creative, enthusiastic and self-motivated High level of professionalism and commitment. (Punctual is a must!) 18+ years Min. 100 hours in 6 months. One shift per week (M-F) consisting of 5-6 hours between the times of 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. Volunteers who are unable to volunteer for 5-6 hr day shifts will be considered for half-day shifts on a case-by-case basis. Team work; Classroom, Gallery and Outdoor environment. Leading student groups of 5-10 students. Teaching game-based program and providing mentorship and support for High School Leaders One shift Monday 9am 3pm
Job-Specific Training: General School Programs Training Sept 20, 6-9pm in the Classrooms Specific Program Training Sept 17 9-3pm (Internal) or Oct 1 9-3pm (External) Date Volunteers Start: Sept 1 9-3pm (Internal), Oct 15 9-3pm (External) VISITOR EXPERIENCE (3 positions) 6) Gallery & Gift Shop Greeter Program Coordinator(s): Manvir Parmar, Coordinator of Visitor Experience, and Melissa Maan, Manager of Retail Operations The main objective of the gallery & gift shop greeter position is to provide and assist the volunteer interaction with visitors within the galleries and gift shop Greeters will be walking in the galleries creating connections between our animals and our visitors. They will use iprops in order to engage visitors within the galleries. Volunteers will also help greet visitors exiting the galleries into the gift shop, monitor the exit gate, conduct surveys, answer patrons questions and provide directions Friendly, outgoing with an interest in knowing more about the animals and Aquarium facility. Well-spoken, advanced level of English and confident in public situations. Interest and/or background in Vancouver tourism. Adults 18+ One four-hour shift weekly Working in the VA galleries and gift shop, you will come in contact with a variety of people from all over the world. Our galleries are family friendly and provide the opportunity to speak with children and adults of all ages. Volunteers need to be mature, and able to handle angry confrontational guests occasionally. They should have excellent spoken English and communication skills, and be familiar with the Aquarium, Stanley Park, and giving directions. 1. Mondays to Sundays 10am 2pm 2. Mondays to Sundays 1 5pm
Job-Specific Training: Sunday October 14 from 11am-4:00pm Date Volunteers Start: October 15 7) Information Desk Attendant Program Coordinator(s): Manvir Parmar, Coordinator of Visitor Experience Answering questions at information desk about upcoming shows, promotional programming, and general exhibit questions Providing a safe environment for visitor experience Answering questions related to Stanley Park and Vancouver Tourism Friendly, outgoing with an interest in knowing more about the animals and Aquarium facility. Well-spoken, advanced level of English and confident in public situations. Interest and/or background in Vancouver tourism. None One four-hour shift weekly Working in the VA galleries, you will come in contact with a variety of people from all over the world. Our galleries are family friendly and provide the opportunity to speak with children and adults Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-2pm Job-Specific Training: Sunday October 14 from 11am-3:30pm Date Volunteers Start: October 15 8) Visitor Experience Evaluator Program Coordinator(s): Ninon Daubigeon, Manager of Visitor Experience Volunteer evaluators will play a key role in collecting visitor feedback and evaluating overall visitor experience, marketing promotions and shows, which in turn will be used to implement new VE initiatives. Key duties will include: delivering surveys, completing observational surveys and entering data. Volunteer will also be required to fulfill basic gallery customer service duties such as provide information about the Aquarium and our animals to inquiring visitors.
Friendly, outgoing with an interest in connecting with our visitors and improving the Vancouver Aquarium and the Visitor Experience Well-spoken, confident in public situations and in approaching visitors Basic computer skills as well as Excel and Microsoft Word proficiency Attention to detail Interest and/or background in Vancouver tourism Second language an asset None One four-hour shift weekly Role is visitor-oriented and volunteer will spend shifts in the galleries connecting with visitors. Galleries may be very busy and loud during peak times. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Flexible schedule (anytime between 11am - 5pm) Job-Specific Training: Sunday October 14 from 11am-3:30pm Date Volunteers Start: October 15 INTERPRETATIVE DELIVERY (2 positions) 9) Aquakidz Program Coordinator(s): David Perry, Interpretative Specialist Family Programs To engage, amaze and inspire children in the galleries Tasks include: Face painting, Crafts, Storytime, Puppetry, Clownfish Cove Touchpools, Playtime Friendly, outgoing with an interest in connecting with our visitors and improving the Vancouver Aquarium and the Visitor Experience Previous experience with kids is an asset None One four-hour shift weekly
In the galleries Mondays to Fridays from 11am 3pm Job-Specific Training: Early October, date to be determined Date Volunteers Start: October 9 10) AquaNews and Our World is Research Program Coordinator(s): Tessa Danelesko, Interpretative Specialist AquaNews/ Research Volunteers hook guests through questions and props and are able to provide them with current news stories about what s happening in our oceans. Showcase the important scientific research happening at the Vancouver Aquarium both on site and in the field Knowledge of aquatic science current events and research strongly preferred A passion for aquatic science Experience dealing with the public Previous volunteer experience preferred Senior or experienced volunteers One four-hour shift weekly On the floor, in Aquarium galleries, directly interacting and engaging guests; working around various aquatic research environments Every day (except Mondays) from 11am 3pm Job-Specific Training: Oct 9 from 5:30 8:30pm Date Volunteers Start: October 10
BEHIND-THE-SCENES (1 position) 11) Library Assistant Library Program Coordinator(s): Ann Dreolini, Librarian To assist library with administrative duties such as: ata entry, record keeping, book shelving Data entry skills Customer service skills Microsoft Office skills Must be 19+ years old One shift weekly Volunteers will be behind the scenes in the library 1. Tuesdays 1-4:30pm 2. Wednesdays 1-4:30pm Job-Specific Training: Oct 11 from 1-4pm in library. (Alternative time may be arranged) Date Volunteers Start: Determined by volunteer