To apply for this volunteer opportunity, please email your application to volunteer@rwpzoo.org
Play Partner volunteers facilitate and support children’s free play at Hasbro’s Big Backyard at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. In this space, Play Partners helps families create memories through outdoor play experiences that connect them to the natural world. This position doesn’t work with the handling or care of animals. Our Big Backyard includes a raven habitat and native animals that are regularly seen such as songbirds, chipmunks, and pollinating insects. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to grow skills and experience with play-based early childhood education and to explore the introduction of environmental education at the developmental level with infants through elementary ages.
Essential Position Functions:
1. Deliver developmentally appropriate play-based activities and monitor Play Stations:
• Indoor: Nature Swap (requires computer use) and Activity Room.
• Outdoor: Drip Drop Water Garden Play Station, Creativity Corner Play Station, Sticks and Stones Building Zone Station, Beyond the Fence Play Area, and the Treehouse.
2. Assist in the supervision and safe play of children and zoo patrons.
3. Appropriately communicate and liaise with zoo staff and patrons of all ages.
4. Assist with the upkeep of resources.
Requirements:
1. Must be at least 16 years old as of April 1 st . Age verification may be required.
2. Ability to pass a background check upon selection as a Play Partner (applicants 18 and older only).
3. Attend and participate in a required one-day Play Partner training session (tentatively scheduled as March 12th 12:00PM-5:00PM, March 15 th 10:00AM-3:00PM
a. If under 18 at time of first shift, a parent/guardian must attend the first hour of the volunteer position-specific training session.
4. Participate in general orientation required of all staff and volunteers, which may include in-person and online components.
5. Volunteer for at least 45 hours per season by committing to a 3 hour shift each week.
a. The Play Partner season begins April 1st and concludes Indigenous Peoples’ Day each year.
b. Morning (9:30AM-12:30PM) and afternoon (1:00PM – 4:00PM) shifts are available daily. Volunteers commit to a regular weekly schedule on the same day and at the same time each week. Accommodations can be made for students and persons with transportation needs.
c. The Play Partner season ends Indigenous Peoples’ Day and reopens again in April. In the offseason, shifts are scheduled by staff for special events, or specific needs only.
6. Arrive on time and stay for the entire shift unless prior arrangements have been made with staff supervisor. 7. Ability to be outside, in all weather, for the duration of your shift.
8. High level of comfort speaking with the public, especially children. Comfortable speaking with diverse groups regardless of their ages, personalities, backgrounds, etc.
9. Effectively support the mission and priorities of Roger Williams Park Zoo.
10.Must be committed to creating meaningful connections to nature through play and exploration.
11.Adhere to all policies described in the Roger Williams Park Zoo Volunteer Handbook.
12.Must be willing to engage with children/families, adapt to changing situations, show patience, be positive and enthusiastic about nature/play, and have a willingness to learn new things.
Benefits:
1. Free year-round admission to Roger Williams Park Zoo for yourself.
2. Eight free passes per year to Roger Williams Park Zoo for your friends and family upon completion of your 45-hour yearly service commitment.
3. Opportunities for continuing education and networking.
