WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PROFILE
A person who has a love of Australian fauna and flora, works well in a team environment and likes to get their hands dirty. This is a long term role with a minimum 6 month weekly commitment required. If you are able you may continue in the program after 6 months has been completed.
Level of Fitness: A high level of physical fitness is required for this role.
WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER
WHAT TO EXPECT
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife Volunteers play a major role assisting our Wildlife keepers in the daily care of our precious wildlife collection, as well as helping to make our guests feel welcome. Wildlife volunteers work alongside our wildlife keepers on their daily rounds assisting with the cleaning and feeding of the animals in the Sanctuary collection.
There are a number of different rounds that Wildlife Volunteers can work on which include:
- Mammal rounds
- Bird rounds
- Reptile round
- Lost Valley precinct
- Presentation and Animal Training round
- Wildlife Experiences round
- Koala rounds
The range of animals in the Sanctuary is diverse and includes a huge variety of Australian native fauna and also some guest exotic species. Some of the animals that are housed at The Sanctuary include kangaroos, wombats, koalas, dingoes, emus, lorikeets, snakes, frogs and even stick insects!
WHAT ARE THE TASKS
- Cleaning the enclosures is a substantial part of this role, so be prepared for a physical day. Daily cleaning tasks in the enclosures will include raking, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing perching, de cobwebbing and cleaning windows.
- Refurbishing the animal enclosures and general maintenance is carried out on a regular basis and includes mulching, sanding, weeding, browse changing, painting and replacing perching.
- Food preparation is a large part of the role and includes chopping up many different varieties of food, washing dishes, washing water bowls, participating in feeding the animals and preparation of making animal enrichments.
- Observations of the animals.
- Assisting guests and answering general enquires regarding the park and the animals.
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS
7 days a week – Monday – Sunday
1 x 5 – 8 hour shift per week – minimum 6 month commitment
Shift Times
- Mammal Round 7am-4pm
- Bird Round 6.30am-3:30.pm
- Reptile Round 7am-3:30pm
- Lost Valley precinct 7am-4pm
- Presentations & Animal Training Round 7:30am-4pm
- Wild Experiences Round 8am-4pm
- Koala Round 8am-4pm or 10am-3pm
WHAT SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS DO I NEED?
A high level of physical fitness is required to take part in this volunteer role, with the ability to be on your feet for up to 8 hours a day with extensive walking. The role involves working in an outdoor environment in all weathers.
- Capability to adapt to change and willingness to keep up to date with training.
- Ability to accurately follow instructions.
- Ability to work independently and harmoniously as part of a friendly team.
- Hard working and committed to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
To be eligible for the role you must be able to meet the following criteria:
- You must be aged over 18 years
- Offer a minimum 6 month commitment to the program, if you are able, you may continue in the program after 6 months has been completed
- If you are applying for the Wildlife Volunteer role CWS prefers that you have previous experience in caring for, or working with animals and a keen desire to learn and perform all the duties involved
- Be prepared to follow all directions from Sanctuary staff, work harmoniously within the team environment and follow all protocols required
- You must have access to email as this is how we communicate with you
- Be able to work in all weather conditions in an external bush environment, which may include exposure to animals, insects, dust and vegetation. These may cause health concerns for those who suffer allergies
- • Be able to walk distances of up to 10 km, perform bending, lifting weights up to 10 kg and other physical activities
- Be willing to wear the Volunteer uniform and comply with program standards
- Be punctual and reliable
- Availability during public holidays and school holiday periods is required
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
- Become part of a friendly new community with over 150 Wildlife Volunteers! Enjoy new social and cultural experiences.
- Great opportunity to learn about a variety of plants and animals, large and small.
- Opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge and challenge yourself in a supportive environment.
- Act on your values, passions and interest.
The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife Volunteer Program has a registration fee of $60 which provides the following benefits:
- Volunteer uniform which includes a polo shirt, cap and badge. You will need to provide your own work boots with ankle support and khaki shorts or trousers.
- A full National Trust Membership valued at $85.
- Free discounted admission to over 800 National Trust properties in Australia and Worldwide.
- Free subscription to National Trust of Australia (Queensland), online newsletter and more. General privileges apply when you join the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary team.
APPLICATION PROCESS
There is a three part application process involving group interviews, questionnaires and trial shifts.
ONLINE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW AT VOLUNTEERING GOLD COAST
Once you have completed your online application, it will be forwarded to our recruitment partners at Volunteering Gold Coast. Once your application is received they will phone you to come in to their office to learn more about our program.
INTERVIEW AT NATIONAL TRUST CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
After you have met with Volunteering Gold Coast and they feel the position is suitable for you, you will then be invited to a group interview at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. At the interview you will be given detailed information about the program and also assessed on your ability to fulfil the requirements of the role. We want to do our best to ensure you are happy in your role and enjoy your time with us. If you are successful, arrangements will be made for you to participate in up to 4 trial shifts so you can try out the role first hand before committing to the program.
TRIAL SHIFTS AT NATIONAL TRUST CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
4 trial shifts will be arranged in your chosen round. The rounds are subject to availability and where possible your first choice of round will be allocated to you. The trial shifts will be on the same day, same round and where possible with the same staff member for each trial. The trials are carried out not only to find out if you are a good match for the role but also for you to assess if you would like to volunteer in the program.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Placements within any Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer program are limited and no guarantee of acceptance will be given. Thank you for understanding that in order to protect both our animals and sanctuary operations, only people who meet the selection criteria and program requirements can be accepted into the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer programs.
Please note that we open and close access to this program throughout the year, as positions fill and then become vacant. If the program is currently closed, please check back again as it will soon re-open.
*Please note that our volunteer programs are not currently open to international visitors.