Description:
Humane Education volunteers support Humane Education staff by ensuring Junior Volunteer sessions run smoothly and are educational and fun for participants. Humane Education volunteers must act as role models for groups of youth ages 11-15 by demonstrating a positive attitude, maturity, a good work ethic, and kindness to animals.
This opportunity is an especially good match for those pursuing a career in K-12 education.
Responsibilities:
- Check participants in and out of program.
- Set up materials and spaces needed for program.
- Clean up during and after program.
- Lead groups of up to six participants ages 11-15 in shelter chores such as laundry, making bags of hay, creating dog and cat enrichment items, and sorting donations.
- Help participants meet and socialize with an appropriate animal.
- Supervise participants at all times, while acting as a role model.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
- Able to sustain moderate activity with variable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and stooping.
- Able to lift, push, pull, or carry objects and/or animals weighing up to 30lbs.
- Must be able to manage any animal or hay-related allergies with medication.
- Able to multitask, prioritize, and complete tasks independently.
- To ensure the safety of children and animals involved in our programs, applicants should have a history of using excellent judgment.
- Able to maintain composure during challenging and/or emotionally charged situations, escalating to program staff as appropriate.
- Able to work with staff, fellow volunteers, and program participants in an empathetic and supportive manner.
- Receptive to direction and feedback.
- Teen applicants should be capable of supervising younger teens, and have a good understanding of appropriate relationships and conversation in a leadership role.
Qualities and Skills:
- As program participants will rely on the Humane Education volunteer, applicants should be mature, dependable, and capable of arriving in a timely manner each week.
- Excellent communication skills.
- An outgoing, friendly personality with the ability to make a range of participants feel welcome.
- Some level of animal handling experience.
- Proficiency in using a computer without assistance. All volunteers digitally log hours and use an online scheduling function.
- Experience with leading youth programs a plus!
Other Requirements:
- Minimum age 17.
- Applicants for this role must have a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle. No alternate transportation plans can be accepted. If you do not meet this criteria, we have roles which are less strict regarding transportation and request you instead apply to one of those.
- Applicants will need to pass a criminal history background check.
Time Commitment:
- A weekly shift on a set day and time, for a minimum duration of 4 months. This program does not run on MA school holidays or vacation weeks.
- Shifts accepting applications are Monday and Friday, 2:30pm-5:00pm. (If possible, earlier arrival of 2:15 ideal.) Friday is the current priority to fill, and training for both must presently be done on Fridays due to staff availability.
Click here to apply Please note, due to the nature of this volunteer position, applicants must meet all criteria and demonstrate such on their application. For the safety of staff, volunteers, and our animals, only applications meeting all criteria will be considered.
