Animal Care Volunteer

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DUTIES:
* Prepare food for the animals; includes chopping vegetables, fruits, chopping fish and other items as well as portioning out items such as rabbit chow, raw meat, etc.
* Clean and disinfect cages, crates, and animal areas
* Handle certain animals when necessary. Volunteers may handle the ferret on their first shift, the screech owls and kestrels can be handled after proper training, and the rabbits may be handled after the volunteer is checked out by staff after their third regular shift. The woodchucks, skunks and opossums may not be handled unless the handler possesses pre-exposure rabies vaccinations. This rule applies to opening the cage door as well. The woodchucks, skunks, and opossums must be pulled out of their cages before a non-vaccinated person may open the door. These guidelines are for the protection of the animals as well as the volunteers. Be aware that animal handling is very limited.
* Ensure that adequate inventory of food and supplies is maintained; restock items, and advise staff when low.
* Wash dishes and utensils at end of the shift.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* All Virginia Living Museum volunteers must work at least 4 hours a week and commit for four months.
* It is necessary that you report on time when scheduled. If you are not able to attend, it is required that you inform Volunteer Services in advance so that a substitute can be found.
* At least 18 years of age with a strong interest in wildlife or natural history
* Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work in old clothes and to get dirty at times
* Physical ability to bend, lift, stoop, climb several steps on small ladder while holding objects, kneel, reach, and to lift up to 50 pounds and drag 100.
* Previous animal handling experience desired, with wild animal experience preferred
* Have no qualms about chopping fish, handling raw meat, handling mice, feeding cockroaches, handling birds and rabbits, and cleaning up fecal matter on a regular basis.
* Desired qualification, but not required: pre-exposure rabies shots

HOW TO APPLY:

Go to www.thevlm.org/join/volunteer/applications

* Email, mail, fax or drop off your application to the VLM (contact info on form).
* Be sure to put "Animal Care" in your preferences and any experience you have in entomology and any area in the natural sciences.
* Jot down 2 references that we can contact on your behalf (teachers, supervisors, coaches, co-workers, committee members, etc).
* We’ll send you a link for the background check (cost is $12, you can then use this background check ANYWHERE afterwards).
* You’ll come in at the VLM for an interview when your schedule allows.
* The $20 training fee will be collected at on-boarding (post-interview) and it includes your uniform t-shirt, online portal access and all training materials.