El Paso Zoo Volunteer Program Policy Manual
Revised
August 16,
2004
All volunteers are expected to fully support the mission of the education program at the El Paso Zoo which is to protect and restore wildlife and their habitats worldwide through on and off site lectures and live animal presentations, zoo camps, guided tours and various media including interpretive signage, a comprehensive website and publications.
1 Qualified volunteers will be accepted in all areas where a need is identified and a volunteer assignment is feasible.
2 Volunteers may volunteer on an ongoing basis or for special events.
3 Volunteers will not be utilized in exhibits or non-public areas where safety, liability or other considerations are of concern.
4 Persons under the age of 18 will be further limited to positions appropriate to that age group.
5 The responsibilities and limits of each volunteer position will be clearly stated in a volunteer job description.
6 Volunteers will receive a general orientation to the Zoo and training in performing the specific duties of the volunteer position.
2 Volunteers can become drivers of the society van by providing the society with a copy of their driver’s license, which will be used for a background check.
3 El Paso Zoological Society provides insurance for volunteer who use the society’s van.
1 Any volunteer coming to work on zoo grounds as well as off zoo grounds must wear a uniform khaki shirt, khaki colored polo shirt, or event T-shirt and a nametag, NO EXCEPTIONS!
2 A T-shirt that has been designed for a zoo /volunteer special event may be used in lieu of the khaki shirt. All khaki shirts should be tucked in.
3 Khaki pants may be worn with the khaki shirts but not mandatory. Blue jeans may be worn, especially when working in collections areas.
4 Closed toe shoe such as tennis shoe or light work boot should be worn with uniform. No open toe shoes, such as sandals are allowed.
5 It is each volunteer’s responsibility to request name tags when broken or lost.
6 The volunteer is provided with An El Paso Zoo and Volunteer/Docent Patch as well as a nametag. If nametag is lost or damaged, it can be replaced by reporting it to the Volunteer Coordinator. Hour pins are also provided.
7 El Paso Zoo and Volunteer/Docent Patch is worn over the left shoulder and Volunteer/Docent Patch over the left pocket and nametag over the right pocket.
8 Any T-shirt or Khaki shirts should be worn appropriately, so as not to expose body parts that could be distracting in the work place.
1 After completing the appropriate training for the job, volunteers will donate a minimum of eight (8) hours on a monthly basis. Volunteers hours are tracked on a monthly basis and are logged into a data spread sheet. A volunteer may request a letter documenting their volunteer hours at any time from the volunteer coordinator.
2 A volunteer may work in collection areas, but must be consistent with their commitment of time agreement between themselves and area supervisors. Volunteers should understand that work done in collection areas is conducted through schedules and volunteer time becomes incorporated into these schedules.
1 Volunteer will attend the required training for the job(s) that they intend on holding. Persons who will be involved in any situation where animals will be handled or where animals are held or diets are prepared, are required to complete the required training session and provide proof of a TB Test (valid for only one year). Tetanus vaccinations are recommended, but not required. Individuals will not be permitted to handle any animals or have access to animal areas unless they have provided this document. Attendance at all training sessions for the specific jobs is mandatory.
2 With the exception of the extern program for veterinary students, El Paso Zoo Administration and Veterinary Clinic will follow these guidelines for all volunteer help in their respective areas.
3 After completing the required training and the observation period, all volunteers will be evaluated on their performance. A copy of this evaluation will be put into the volunteer’s file. A volunteer will be evaluated in the following areas. Note: Not all areas may pertain to the specific job.
a. Observance of Zoo Policies. j. Posture
b. Proper handling of animals k. Eye Contact
c. Grooming and Dress l. Zoonotic Disease Message
d. Accuracy of Information m. Web Page Promotion
e. Action Conservation Message n. Program Theme
f. Volunteer Program Information o. Concern for Safety of Audience
g. Hours and Admission Information
h. Visual Aids
i. Verbal Delivery
include Dudley Building to three minutes.
2 When using any computer on the zoo grounds to include Dudley, volunteers of
the zoo are under the same policy and code of ethics as city employees in regard
to use of Internet and any other network services provided through the use of zoo
computers. The City of El Paso’s Policy is as follows:
The City promotes the use of services available through the Internet in order to acquire information, which may assist employees in their efforts to achieve the City’s mission. The City encourages its users to develop strong Internet user skills and knowledge. It is expected that these individuals will use the Internet to (1) improve job knowledge, (2) to access information on topics which have relevance to the City, (3) to communicate with their peers in other cities or other organizations which relate to the employee’s employment at the City and (4) for job related educational purposes.
Authorized Internet users are not permitted to engage in the following activities either during working or nonworking hours, using zoo equipment or facilities.
1 Activities for any illegal purpose
2 To transmit threatening, obscene or harassing materials or correspondence
3 For unauthorized distribution of city data and information.
4 Unauthorized attribution of statements, data or information to the Zoo.
5 To interfere with or disrupt network users, services or equipment.
6 For private purposes such as marketing or business transactions.
7 Solicitation for religious and political causes.
8 Unauthorized not-for-profit business activities
9 Private advertising of products services.
10 Any activity meant to foster personal gain.
11 Unauthorized access to obscene materials, including knowingly retrieving or storing such materials.
1 Volunteers who have gone through the necessary training for specific job descriptions and who have volunteered a total of 96 hours (8 hours/month) for one year (January through December) will be invited and recognized at the annual volunteer event, usually held in early December.
2 A Step Recognition Program will be implemented to provide incentive to stay on the program. This step recognition program is structured in the following manner:
A. Volunteer completing the first 100 volunteer hours will earn a zoo membership (good for one year).
B Volunteer completing 200 hours will receive a free one-year subscription of a conservation magazine
C A volunteer completing 300 hours receive will be taken to lunch by education staff/ Curator of Education.
1 Persons belonging to the El Paso Zoo Volunteer program are considered to be like a city employee. A records check will be requested for all new volunteers while in the training phase. This record check will be done by the Police Department and will have the written consent of each prospective volunteer.
2 All information is kept confidential.
3 Persons with previous sex offenses as well as any felonies on record will not be accepted into the program.
1 Refer to El Paso Zoo Policies and Procedures, Number 91-14A.
1 Any accident should be reported. This report is written up on the accident/complaint form and submitted to the zoological society and a copy to the volunteer coordinator. A copy of this report will be placed in the file of the volunteer.
2 Volunteers are covered by an accident insurance to protect them from uninsured medical expenses due to service-connected accidents. Volunteers are not covered by Worker’s Compensation.
1 Volunteers are covered by an automobile liability policy through El Paso Zoological Society but must have liability insurance when driving personal vehicles.
2 A volunteer can be added to the list of drivers for the zoological van by providing their drivers license information to the Society Office. This information will be submitted to the insurance company and they will do a background check on driving record.
Codes and are expected to be an extension of staff in the case of emergency evacuations, animals escapes and Code Adam.
2 Information on all of the codes is provided to the volunteer at the time of training is included in their training binder.
1 Disciplinary action will be taken in the situations stated below:
a. Inefficient or careless performance of duties.
b. Volunteers failing to report for three consecutive assignments or having excessive absences.
c. Misuse of time during when given as assignment, such as over reporting hours when not in volunteer service.
d. Release of confidential information.
e. Mistreatment of animals.
f. Theft or other acts of dishonesty.
g. Soliciting or conducting non related business.
h. Falsifying of initial application.
i. Flagrant disobedience of supervisor’s instruction.
j. Illegal conduct.
k. Being judgmental, prejudiced and divisive with in the ranks of the volunteer corp.
1 Only El Paso Zoo Staff and Volunteers/Docents who have received the required training in animal handling will be allowed to access the Education Trailer.
2 Persons who have not received the proper animal handling training should not handle any animal housed in the Education Trailer.
3 No Staff and/or Volunteer should bring relatives and friends into the education trailer premises.
Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $35 will be collected on completion of the application forms. This fee will be used for materials and program enhancements. Upon completion of 100 hours the volunteer will be refunded $25 and entitled to a membership worth $35. This is done to ensure dedication and commitment of our volunteers. Please make payment out to the El Paso Zoological Society.
August, 2004