Docent Program Volunteer

LOCATION: Wildlife Care Center (opening spring 2024)
Located at 24103 Congress Springs Road, Saratoga, California

SUPERVISOR: Volunteer Coordinator

GOAL OF POSITION:  Lead scheduled docent tours for selected groups. As a docent volunteer, you will inform audiences about PHS/SPCA’s wildlife care programs and how we provide care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. Our docent programs will also emphasize peaceful coexistence with local wildlife.

TIME COMMITMENT: Docent volunteers will commit to a regular weekly time slot, but only attend the time slot as needed based on booked tours.

DUTIES: Lead an educational tour of curated exhibits located at the Saratoga shelter, speaking to groups of individuals. Answer questions accurately about wildlife rehabilitation process, local wildlife and ecosystem, other related topics.

TRAINING: Completion of New Volunteer Orientation and Intro to Wildlife. Additional on-the-job training provided by the Volunteer Coordinator, including but not limited to docent-specific training.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be willing to learn about a variety of wild animals and display an understanding of wildlife rehabilitation to be able to answer questions. Comfortable speaking to groups of all ages and backgrounds. Able to represent PHS/SPCA in a courteous and professional manner. Good physical stamina and the ability to walk moderate distances up and down graded paths. Experience working as a wildlife care volunteer, and conversational abilities in languages other than English are a plus. All docent volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from scheduled programs. This position is open to those 18 and older.

EMOTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: While volunteers will be presenting to pre-screened groups, some attendees may pose difficult and uncomfortable questions about wildlife rehabilitation, policies, and what happens to animals that are deemed non-releasable.