The AmeriCorps VISTA member will coordinate the Dallas Zoo Youth Volunteers to help advance the Zoo’s educational mission, expanding service to nearby low-income communities. This position works with the Education Supervisor of Youth Learning to develop and coordinate the Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park youth volunteer programs. Duties include program implementation as well as recruitment, evaluation, supervision of the Youth Volunteer Program. Works closely and effectively with various departments to achieve the best experience for our volunteers, visitors, and staff. A target population of the member's activities will be fourth-grade students in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. The member would work with school staff and parents to increase student exposure to service learning and environmental issues, helping them to build the skills needed to devise community based solutions to conservation problems.
Service Activities
Community Outreach , Children/Youth , Education
Community Need Addressed
Do you love animals? Is conservation important to you? At the Dallas Zoo, you can contribute to our conservation mission while introducing low-income students to service learning and environmental issues.
Position Outcomes
Our nonprofit zoo, the largest in Texas and home to more than 2,000 animals, is supported by an Education Department which aims to inspire care for wildlife and wild places. We actively involve participants via live animal experiences, project-based learning, and programs that are interactive, science-based and conservation-oriented. The Zoo aims to develop and sustain relationships with our participants so that they are engaged and empowered to act on behalf of wildlife conservation. The Zoo’s Education Department also helps youth experience the rewards and responsibilities of volunteering through our 28-year-old youth volunteer program. Youth volunteers discover real-world applications of science and math and learn about the natural world, becoming empowered to incorporate conservation practices into their daily lives. Through serving and interacting with a diverse group of peers and Zoo visitors, they also gain job-ready skills and develop self-esteem and self-confidence.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Youth Development , Recruitment , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Environment , Biology or conservation , Leadership , Education , Teaching/Tutoring , Community Organization
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients