Volunteer

All active Bow Habitat Station volunteers must meet the following requirements:

• Mandatory Orientation & Training
  • Volunteers are required to attend an onboarding session and complete any mandatory training specific to their volunteer position(s).
  • Complete Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Training (annual).
• Youth Volunteers (Ages 15-17)

  Youth volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during all volunteer shifts. The accompanying adult must also complete all required volunteer onboarding and training.

• Minimum Shift Requirements

  Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 15 hours per calendar year. If you are unable to meet the annual hourly requirement, please consider supporting us through our One-Day Event Support opportunities instead.

  Bow Habitat Station is open year-round, closed Sundays, Mondays and statutory holidays. Our public hours of operation are 9:30AM – 4:00PM.

• Police Information Check

  Volunteers must complete a police information check and be cleared to join the volunteer program prior to their first shift.

  Note: Any associated fees are the responsibility of the individual and will not be reimbursed by Bow Habitat Station.

Support Bow Habitat Station’s programs and operations from behind-the-scenes. Help to prepare program materials and supplies for education and outreach program delivery.

Roles & Responsibilities

This role requires communication and collaboration with Bow Habitat Station staff and volunteers, but not direct engagement with visitors.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Craft prep and button assembly (cutting, tracing, stapling, gluing)
• Labelling and organizational tasks
• Assembling program booklets (folding, stapling)
• Cleaning and disinfecting program materials. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided, as needed
• Maintaining and repairing fishing and/or snowshoe equipment

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for a little creativity and a tidy workspace
• Ability to withstand repetitive actions
• Willingness to complete manual labour activities

Additional Training

• Shadow Fish Hatchery Tour / Fish Feeding Station
• Complete onsite self-led exploration of the Discovery Cener

Roles & Responsibilities

This role requires direct engagement with Bow Habitat Station staff, volunteers and visitors.

1. Discovery Centre Ambassador

   Deliver environmental information and educational activities related to the display content in the Discovery Centre and Aquariums.

   Tasks may include:

   • Greeting visitors and providing directional information
   • Delivering educational activities at a Discovery Cart (i.e. scavenger hunts, bio facts)
   • Delivering fun facts and current scientific knowledge related to display content
   • Highlight key species and provide identification tips/tricks
   • Sharing historical information about the centre
2. Fish Feeding Station

   Provide visitors with resources and instructions for a safe and fun experience feeding fish in the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery. Answer visitor questions about the fish raised in the hatchery.

   Tasks may include:

   • Greeting and providing visitors with their fish food.
   • Answering general questions about the fish visitors are feeding.
   • Sharing resources for more information on Alberta's fish stocking program.
   • Highlighting key fish species in the hatchery and fun facts.
3. Interpretive Wetland Ambassador (seasonal: spring & summer)

   Support BHS staff and participants of public programs at the Interpretive Wetlands. Share your own knowledge of Alberta's aquatic invertebrates and wetland ecosystem as you get your hands dirty, supporting program participants to dip-nets in the wetlands.

   Tasks may include:

   • Engaging with participants before, during and after programing.
   • Providing safety and guiding tips to visitors on how to collect and identify invertebrates.
   • Highlighting key invertebrate species found in the marsh and associated fun facts.
   • Supporting program set up/clean up.

Qualifications for Ambassador Volunteers

• An engaging and welcoming personality.
• Enjoy working with the public and talking with a variety of age groups.

Support the Kids Can Catch Trout Pond by enhancing a visitors experience with additional knowledge and engagement during its operation from May 1 - September 30.

Additional Training

• Shadow Fish Hatchery Tour / Fish Feed Station.
• Complete onsite self-led exploration of the Discovery Center.
• Complete a total of six hours of Ambassador volunteer shifts.
• Complete and renew Trout Pond specific training prior to each fishing season.

Roles & Responsibilities

This role requires direct engagement with Bow Habitat Station staff, volunteers and visitors.

Deliver responsible angling messaging and educational activities relevant to visitors of the Trout Pond.

Tasks may include:

• Greeting visitors at the Trout Pond.
• Providing information about Bow Habitat Station and its available programs and rod rental services.
• Providing information about the Fish Hatchery and Alberta’s Provincial Stocking Program.
• Sharing knowledge of Alberta's sportfish, aquatic ecosystems and current sportfishing regulations.
• Demonstrating responsible angling best practices, including how to read the regulations, side-arm casting, landing techniques and release techniques.
• Delivering enhancement activities (i.e. bean bag toss, casting practice).

Qualifications

• An engaging and welcoming personality.
• Enjoy working with the public and talking with a variety of age groups.
• Be adaptable with teaching moments.
• Experience in teaching or working with youth groups is considered an asset, but not required.
• Experience angling in Alberta or knowledge of Alberta's fishes is considered an asset, but not required.

Roles & Responsibilities

Support the delivery of environment education and outreach programs to school, group and public visitors at Bow Habitat Station or represent Bow Habitat Station at community outreach events and deliver outreach education activities.

Required Training:

• Shadow Fish Hatchery Tour / Fish Feed Station.
• Complete onsite self-led exploration of the Discovery Centre.
• Complete a total of six hours of Ambassador volunteer shifts.
• Complete education and engagement training.

Roles & Responsibilities

This role requires direct engagement with Bow Habitat Station staff, volunteers and visitors.

Volunteers must review and follow provided activity scripts. These scripts outline speaking points and desired literacy outcomes, define key terms, and identify step-by-step activity set-up and clean-up for the station.

1. Environmental Education Support

   Support the delivery of program specific activities to school, group and public visitors. Using an activity script, assist in preparing for programs and leading groups of 10 to 30 people through various activities focused on Alberta's environment and aquatic species and ecosystems.

   Tasks may include:

   • Supporting the delivery of program activities.
   • Encouraging participation in program activities.
   • Maintaining a tidy and respectful learning environment.
   • Helping to facilitate transitions of groups moving between activities.
   • Supporting set up/clean up of program activities.
2. Outreach Support (seasonal: spring & summer)

   Deliver hands-on and immersive investigation station activities to public visitors at on-site Bow Habitat Station events and at off-site outreach events.

   Tasks may include:

   • Encouraging public participation in event activities.
   • Repeated delivery of short hands-on activities to a wide age of audiences.
   • Handing out any educational prompts or take-aways.
   • Traveling to off-site community outreach event in the Calgary area.
   • Completing field level hazard assessment of community outreach event locations.
   • Supporting event set up/clean up.

   Qualifications

   • An engaging and welcoming personality.
   • Enjoy working with younger age groups (Ages 4-13).
   • Experience in teaching or working with youth groups is considered an asset, but not required.

Support the delivery of hands-on and immersive activities at on-site special events. One-day Special Event Support volunteers are not required to fulfill a minimum number of hours per calendar year.

Roles & Responsibilities

This role requires direct engagement with Bow Habitat Station staff, volunteers and visitors. Volunteers will be provided with detailed activity scripts in advance for all environmental education and outreach programs outlining speaking points, defining key terms, step-by-step activity set up/clean up for the station.

Tasks May Include:

• Delivering hands-on activities.
• Encouraging visitors of all ages to participate in activities and/or to engage with Discovery Centre galleries.
• Supporting event set-up and tear-down, including transporting resources to/from storage locations.

Training

• Short Occupation Health & Safety (OH&S) Training and associated documentation.

Qualifications

• An engaging and welcoming personality.
• Enjoy working with the public and talking with a variety of age groups.
• Ability to help maintain a respectful learning atmosphere.

Typical Shifts

• Fishtival – Saturday of the February Family Long Weekend, 9:30AM – 4:00PM
• Alberta Biodiversity Festival - 3rd Saturday of September, 9:30AM – 4:00PM
• Bow After Hours – Last Thursday in June, 6:00PM – 10:00PM

Signing Up for Shifts

If you are interested in One-day Special Event Support Volunteer shifts, please contact Bow Habitat Station's Volunteer Coordinator by email at [email protected]

Volunteering is a great way to gain new experiences, share your knowledge and meet others who share your passion for the environment.

*Please note: volunteer opportunities are not available to support operations of the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery.

General terms:

• Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old to volunteer independently.
• Youth volunteers ages 15-17 require a parent or guardian who has completed the BHS volunteer training to be present during all volunteer shifts.
• Prospective volunteers must attend the Volunteer Information Session prior to applying.
• Prospective volunteers will be pre-screened by the Volunteer Coordinator through the review of application documents.
• Volunteers must complete a police information check and be cleared to join the volunteer program prior to their first shift. Any associated fees are the responsibility of the individual and will not be reimbursed by Bow Habitat Station.
• Volunteers are required to complete their Occupational Health and Safety Training prior to their first volunteer shift and to renew their training on an annual basis.
  • Some positions require additional training prior to their first shift.
• Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 15 hours per calendar year to remain active.
  • Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they meet these requirements or notify the Volunteer Coordinator in advance, if they are no longer able to do so.
• Volunteers are required to wear clear volunteer identification at all times during a shift, including but not limited to a volunteer t-shift and nametag issued by BHS.
• Volunteers must organize their own travel to and from volunteer shifts, unless otherwise indicated by the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Volunteers will not be reimbursed for personal costs associated with volunteer shifts, such as travel, refreshments, etc.
• Volunteers may be dismissed immediately from the program should they not meet the obligations and responsibilities of their assigned position.
• The performance of volunteers is evaluated as required by the Volunteer Coordinator.
• If at any time a prospective or active volunteer wishes to change or terminate their commitment to Bow Habitat Station's volunteer program, they can contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].