The Brandywine Zoo Conservation Science and Learning Department is seeking friendly, dependable, and enthusiastic volunteers for our Docent Program. As a Docent, you’ll guide guests through the wonderful world of wildlife, answer questions about animals and their behavior, and be a part of creating or sustaining the lifelong love of animals in our guests. You’ll be a member of a critical team that assists the Brandywine Zoo staff in making sure our guests leave with a sense of awe and are inspired to conserve wildlife!
Interested? Please complete the following two steps:
- Respond to this opportunity by selecting respond in the upper left corner and completing the registration process on Galaxy Digital.
- Candidate must also complete the following supplemental form here: https://form.jotform.com/253214771477158
- Note: Your application will not be considered complete if you do not complete the supplemental form.
Location: Brandywine Zoo – Wilmington, DE
Supervisor: Manager of Volunteers - Luvina Cooley
Schedule: Minimum commitment of 24 shifts per year. You will choose two recurring shifts each month that you would like to come out for interpretation. Shifts are scheduled in the AM (10am-1pm) or PM (1pm-4pm) and will occur on a consistent day of the 1st and 3rd weeks or the 2nd and 4th weeks of each month. For example, a docent may be scheduled to work the AM shift on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Docents are also required to attend monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month. Additional coordination will be done by the Manager of Volunteers and Curator of Conservation Science and Learning at the Brandywine Zoo.
Training Dates: Attendance at all training days is mandatory, as each day covers different information.
- March 7th: 8:30am-3:30pm (Lunch will be provided)
- March 14th: 9:00am-12:30pm
- March 21st: 9:00am-12:30pm
- March 28th: 9:00am-12:30pm
Apply by: Applications close at 11:59 pm, January 31st, 2025
Qualifications:
- Applicants must be 18+ years old
- Willing and able to complete a background check performed by the Division of Parks and Recreation
- Fluent in the English language (verbally and via written communication)
- Must be able to volunteer at the zoo 2 set days per month, totaling to 24 shifts per year
- Must be able to come to the monthly meetings (held on the first Saturday of every month)
- Must have an interest in working with the general public
- Candidates must exhibit consistent professional characteristics such as a punctuality, positive attitude, initiative, emotional maturity and self-responsibility
- Able to commit to upholding all zoo safety and personnel policies, and support the overall mission of the Brandywine Zoo
Responsibilities:
- Interpretating conservation messages by conducting activities in the zoo for guests
- Interpretating and educating guests on the animals at the zoo
- Present biofacts, like pelts, bones, etc. to the public
- Assist educators with zoo programs as schedule allows
- Interpret at the zoo’s special events as schedule allows
- Other duties as assigned
Unfortunately, it is against our policy to allow volunteers to work with our animals at this time. This is both for the safety of our volunteers and our animals.
All Brandywine Zoo docent volunteers are required to undergo and successfully complete a background check performed by the Division of Parks and Recreation.
