Docents help children appreciate our local wildlife and the natural world by introducing them to a few of our live animal ambassadors and then leading tours of the Wildlife Habitats for elementary school classes.
Volunteer
Another great way to support Coyote Point is by volunteering. Each year, over 200 individuals ages 13 to 86 volunteer for Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education. There are volunteer opportunities in many areas of the Museum, including: wildlife habitat docents, roving interpretative guides, and program/event assistants.
Coyote Point Museum, located in San Mateo, is recognized as one of the country's foremost environmental educational institutions. The Museum includes a dramatic Environmental Hall, which takes visitors on an imaginary walk from the Bay to the ocean, engaging environmental science exhibits and outdoor Wildlife Habitats home to live animals native to California in natural settings including a walk-through aviary.
Volunteers receive many special privileges including educational opportunities, social events with other volunteers, a quarterly newsletter specifically for volunteers, discounted membership and knowledge that the community benefits from each volunteers time.
Click here to download a volunteer application.
Volunteer Positions
Wildlife Habitats Docents
18+
Must be available two shifts per month. Docent shifts are approximately three hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The Weekend Interpretive Guides (TWIGs)
18+, or 13-17 when partnered with a parent. Formal training provided.
Must be available for two 2-hour shifts each month.
TWIGs create memorable visitor experiences by providing interpretive animal presentations, facilitating science exploration stations, and providing roving visitors services on weekend days.
Wildlife Aides
18+. On-the-job training provided.
One day per week, for at least 4 hours, starting at 9am, for at least 6 months.
Wildlife Aides work side by side with our professional animal keepers to maintain safe and healthy living environments for our animals. Aides primarily assist with the day-to-day cleaning of animal facilities and food preparation for the animals. Must be physically able to clean and very dependable. Volunteers continuing for several months will have the opportunity to learn animal handling and serve as wildlife interpreters.
Aviary Aides
18+. On the job training provided.
Must be available one day per week for a 3-hour shift for at least 3 months.
Aviary Aides clean Aviary walkways before the Museum opens, and then assist visitors by interpreting the wildlife in the Aviary area.
Wildlife Show Assistants
13+. On the job training provided.
Assist with one show per week. Shows offered at 1:30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, and at 1pm and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Volunteers support the Animal Keepers by speaking with visitors, guiding the seating process, and moving props or animals as part of the show.
Foothill Docents, San Mateo County Parks
18+. Training with current docents provided.
Docents sign up as available. Hikes are usually scheduled for April – June.
Foothill Tour Docents provide a unique opportunity for school children to go on hikes in local county parks, explore the natural environment, and learn about the plants and animals that make their home in San Mateo County. Foothill Tours are scheduled for Coyote Point, Huddart, Junipero Serra, and San Bruno Mountain parks.
Keepers In Training
Must be a minimum of 13 years old (up to 17 years old)
The KIT’s are required to volunteer 2 days a month for a minimum of 6 months.
The KIT program was designed to expose youth (13 to 17) to animals and a possible career working with animals. This is a volunteer program that is under the direct supervision of the Wildlife Department. Because these youth will be directly supervised by the Animal Keepers they will not need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian while they volunteer.
Qualifications to become a KIT
- Age: Must be a minimum of 13 years old (up to 17 years old)
- Experience: Although animal experience is not necessary, any previous experience with animals is a plus.
- Interest in Animals: Have a genuine interest in wildlife and the environment
- Public speaking: Applicants should be open and outgoing and be comfortable speaking with the public to answer questions and deliver information on the animals.
- Flexibility about work conditions: Applicants must be willing to get dirty, work in small spaces, and work in all weather conditions.
- Health: Proof of current tetanus shot
Duties of the KIT’s will be as follows: (the term “year” refers to a calendar year, the number level they are will be printed on their name card; KIT 1, KIT 2, etc.)
Level 1/First year KIT’s: 10 am to 2:30 pm shift
- Educating the visitors on the exhibit animal collection. KIT’s will be expected to memorize information about the museum’s animals.
- Education and interpretation using bio-facts
- Educating the visitors on the education animal collection (level 1 animals only) Note: any previously trained teen TWIG may handle animals they are already approved on even if they are just starting the KIT program.
- Assisting Animal Keepers with various activities and projects as needed
Level 2/ Second year KIT’s: 10 am to 2:30 shift
- All of the same duties as the Level 1 KIT’s
- May start to train on level 2 education animals in succession to level 1 animals.
Level 3/ Third year KIT’s: 9 am to 2 pm shift
- All of the same duties as the Level 2 KIT’s
- May start to train on level 3 and 4 education animals in succession to level 2.
- Assisting in cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures (including the off-exhibit holding areas, the Keepers’ Building and the Walkthrough Aviary). This includes cleaning up animal excrement, washing the aviary floors, removing trash from the habitats, and cleaning or replacing used bedding, toys, and enrichment items.
- Assisting with the general cleaning of the wildlife habitats. This includes helping to keep all the visitor areas clean and tidy.
- Assisting in diet preparation. Applicants will be shown how to make diets for the live animal collection. Due to the fact that we have many omnivores and carnivores in the collection, applicants must be comfortable with observing and assisting with preparation of different types of meat and dead whole prey (mice, rats, chick, and quail).
Training and Uniform:
- The Wildlife Staff will provide all the training needed for this position.
- Animal Information sheets will be assembled and handed out as needed.
- The KIT’s will be required to wear plain dark green t-shirts and Jeans or Khaki pants which are to be purchased at their own expense.
Commitment:
- The KIT’s are required to volunteer 2 days a month for a minimum of 6 months.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to gain valuable experience toward a career in animal husbandry.
- Opportunity to work around animals and be trained to handle some animals.
- Knowledge that you are helping to provide a healthy, safe living environment for animals that would be unable to survive in the wild.
- 10% discount in the Museum Store. Discounted museum membership.
To Apply:
- Complete the Keeper In Training questionnaire (which can be picked up at the museum)
- Write a one page essay explaining why you want to be a Keeper In Training.
- Send the completed form and essay to Nikii Finch-Morales, Director of Wildlife at the address below.
- The best-qualified applicants will be called for interviews.
Animal Care Internship – Behavior and Enrichment
One 16 week part time volunteer internship 24 hours (3-days: Tues, Weds, Thurs) per week.
(Part Time/Temporary Position/Volunteer)
Position Overview:
One 16 week part time volunteer internship 24 hours (3-days: Tues, Weds, Thurs) per week. Coyote Point Museum is looking for an intern who can maintain a high level of personal motivation and a positive attitude by demonstrating their enthusiasm and high energy for each project they take on. This program offers practical, on-the-job experience working with invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and provides exposure to zoo careers.
Job Requirements:
1. Good physical condition; able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 lbs.
2. Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
3. Willingness to work in small spaces and in all weather conditions
4. Good written and verbal communication skills
5. Good public speaking skills
Experience and Qualities Preferred:
1. Outgoing, personable and able to relate and work with the public
2. Reliable, flexible and energetic
3. Interest in wildlife and the environment
4. Experience in working with wild animals
Job Responsibilities:
1. Daily animal husbandry, servicing animal habitats and holding areas.
2. Preparing diets and feeding the animal collection
3. Record keeping
4. Public speaking for animal talks
5. Behavioral observations and enrichment
6. Write a paper/report on behavioral observations
7. Create an enrichment project to be completed upon the end of the internship
To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume with cover letter and references to Eunice Hui, Lead Keeper, Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive San Mateo CA 94401. Or e-mail to ehui (at) coyoteptmuseum (dot) org
Application deadline: April 1, 2010
Animal Care Internship – Programs
One 16 week part time volunteer internship 24 hours (3-days: Fri, Sat, Sun) per week.
(Part Time/Temporary Position/Volunteer)
Position Overview:
One 16 week part time volunteer internship 24 hours (3-days: Fri, Sat, Sun) per week. Coyote Point Museum is looking for an intern who can maintain a high level of personal motivation and a positive attitude by demonstrating their enthusiasm and high energy for each project they take on. This program offers practical, on-the-job experience working with invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and provides exposure to zoo careers.
Job Requirements:
1. Good physical condition; able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 lbs.
2. Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
3. Willingness to work in small spaces and in all weather conditions
4. Good written and verbal communication skills
5. Good public speaking skills
Experience and Qualities Preferred:
1. Outgoing, personable and able to relate and work with the public
2. Reliable, flexible and energetic
3. Interest in wildlife and the environment
4. Experience in working with wild animals
Job Responsibilities:
1. Daily animal husbandry, servicing animal habitats and holding areas.
2. Preparing diets and feeding the animal collection
3. Record keeping
4. Public speaking for shows, animal talks
5. Research and develop an outline for a wildlife show to be completed upon the end of the internship
To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume with cover letter and references to Eunice Hui, Lead Keeper, Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive San Mateo CA 94401. Or e-mail to ehui (at) coyoteptmuseum (dot) org.
Application deadline: April 1, 2010