VOLUNTEER >> Volunteer Position >> Humane Education Associate

VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTON

POSITION Humane Education Associate
SUPERVISION Humane Education Associates will work under the direction of the Humane Education Coordinator
TASK The Humane Education Associates will deliver a series of prepared humane education sessions and/or shelter tours to selected youth groups, elementary and secondary school students, SPCA youth campers and junior humane and apprentice volunteers. Humane education sessions may take place off site or at the SPCA shelter, depending on pre-arranged circumstances.
QUALIFICATIONS Excellent communication skills and ability to work with youth are recommended. Previous teaching experience would be an asset. Training and supplies will be provided.
SCREENING All volunteers must complete the appropriate SPCA orientation, screening and training procedures, including at least two personal references and a police clearance check.
HOURS OF WORK Humane education sessions and shelter tours can occur during school hours, or in the early evenings and weekends. These are usually one time only sessions that last for about one hour. SPCA Animaniacs camp sessions can last a full day (8 hours) and up to one week. Junior humane club sessions run on selected evenings for about two hours and the program covers six weekly sessions.
EVALUATION Mutual communication and feedback is the keystone of effective program evaluation. Such informal evaluation is meant to enhance the volunteer experience with the SPCA and is an ongoing process. A structured 'evaluation' interview should also take place on an annual basis.

HUMANE EDUCATION ASSOCIATE

GENERAL DUTIES

  • Humane Education Associates will work with various youth groups delivering brief humane education topics, both on site at the SPCA shelter and off site at various locations as assigned
  • The educational component will mainly consist of SPCA educational programs focusing on the history and role of the SPCA, animal welfare and pet care and cruelty issues with a view toward building empathy and compassion
  • SPCA shelter tours will usually consist of a brief 20 or 30 minute 'talk' on the history and role of the SPCA, where we get our animals, basic cruelty issues and some animal care information. The participants will usually be a group of 10 to 30 children or youth. Some likely participating groups would be day care centres, scout and guide groups and local primary and middle schools. Animals may be included in on site sessions but not necessarily
  • Off site humane education sessions would take place in a variety of locations as above. The topic would also be similar to that delivered during shelter tours. Off site humane education sessions would last about one hour.
  • Animals may be included in the shelter tours and the off site sessions at the discretion of the volunteer and humane education coordinator. Animals used would usually be a rabbit or guinea pig and sometimes a dog or cat
  • The junior humane club program consists of six weekly sessions for children aged 7 to 12 years. The program usually takes place in the SPCA board room in the early evening but it can also be delivered off site both during the day and evening. New junior humane club educators will be asked to 'shadow' two or three sessions as part of their training. The junior humane club focuses on a different animal related topic each session as well as games, crafts, guest speakers and other activities
  • In school humane clubs and 'Kindness Counts' programs are specialized sessions aimed at school and 'youth at risk' groups