Newquay Zoo - Engagement Volunteer

ENGAGEMENT VOLUNTEER –

Aim of volunteering role:

We want our guests to have a great day out when they visit us; our Guest Experience volunteers really make a difference by being welcoming and giving our guests the opportunity to ask questions and having some amazing fun facts up their sleeve! You will provide information on animals, plants and key exhibits and be part of the public face of the Zoo.

The objective of the volunteer role is to:

This is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer and spend time in a variety of different areas in the Zoo, chatting with our guests and inspiring them about our animals. You will raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues and promote projects run by the Zoo and the Wild Planet Trust. You will be available to help our guests with questions relating to their visit, helping to provide an enjoyable and educational visit to Newquay Zoo.

Tasks:

Welcome our guests to the Zoo, talk to our guests, impart information about the function of the Zoo as a conservation charity, provide information about species and ecosystems as seen in fact files and assist zoo rangers in engagement activities. Where necessary, point out those animals that are hard to spot. Help our guests interact appropriately with our animals, for e.g. not annoying, feeding or tapping on glass. Answer visitor questions such as: “How do we get to…?” “What time is…?” “Where can I…?”

Time:

Most volunteers offer a day per week and generally start at 10:00am; finishing approximately 4:00pm (These times are slightly reduced in the winter).

Place of duty:

Newquay Zoo – Education Department

Mentors:

Education Officer

Skills required:

Friendly and confident, at ease speaking to guests. Flexible, enjoy learning new things. Reliability and regular attendance. We are not looking for experts, an interest in wildlife and conservation will be developed through training and fact files. You will be kept up to date on any changes in the departments / enclosures / livestock that are relevant to the public, through catchups / meetings / weekly updates. You will need a good general knowledge of the Zoo in order to direct visitors and answer

FAQs:

How old do I need to be to volunteer?

You need to be 18 or over as we require you to be able to volunteer unsupervised and independently. There is no upper age limit. 

We do though accept younger volunteers – between the ages of 14 to 18 years – for the Events Team Meet and Greet School Holiday Support Volunteer role. This will only be shown in the list of currently available volunteer roles below when opportunities are available. 

How do I register my interest?

Click Here to Apply for the Above Roles

Alternatively, please download and complete this form.   

Please return the completed form to:

Email: NZvolunteering@wildplanettrust.org.uk

Post: Volunteers’ Department, Newquay Zoo, Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ

By hand: Main entrance / Reception at Newquay Zoo

What is the recruitment process?

As we have a limited number of opportunities, we endeavour to find people most suited to volunteering. This decision is based initially on the information you provide on the interest form and then through an informal discussion with shortlisted potential volunteers. Due to the number of interest forms received, we will only contact you if you are shortlisted. 

If you are successful in becoming a volunteer, we will ask for two references before you are able to start. We will also ask you bring along your passport and your National Insurance card or number with you to your induction meeting.  

Do you require a DBS check?

A DBS check may be necessary for some volunteer roles. You would be advised of this as a part of the volunteer induction process.

Will I be working volunteering the animals?

Volunteers do not have hands-on contact with zoo animals, unless stated, but you will be volunteering in an environment where the animals are all around you. 

Do you cover my travel expenses?

We do not reimburse travel expenses – please register your interest only if you live within easy travelling distance of the zoo. Our shortlisting takes into account the distance