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Planned Giving

Docent Duties

Job Description
Docents are the interpretive arm of zoos, botanical gardens, museums and other learning centers. They help visitors of all ages discover The Living Desert whether leading school tours, telling stories or helping visitors find their way around the park. And they make each visitor's trip more memorable!
Click here for an on-line application.

Qualifications
• have free time to devote to the job
• be willing to complete training and demonstrate comprehension of information and techniques
• have an established interest in nature, or the willingness to learn
• have an open mind that is ready to learn and experience new things
• enjoy people and interacting with others
• be able to communicate clearly and calmly
• be able to model respect for the animals and the desert ecosystem
• be willing to represent The Living Desert in a friendly and professional manner
• be willing to say "I don't know" when the situation applies
• be responsible, committed, punctual, flexible and neat in appearance

Training
The Docent Training Course is offered once a year, beginning in November and continuing through early March. Classes are twice a week: Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Exceptions to days and times are noted on the class training schedule. Docent Training provides a basic understanding of The Living Desert: its goals, mission, collection and grounds and general desert ecology. At the completion of this basic training, new Docents will begin with Youth Tour duties, which include, but are not limited to, leading student tours, stations, carts, bus greeting and lunch coordination. Docents who choose to spend more than the minimum time requirement may apply to work in additional interpretive capacities, such as Meet and Greet, Discovery Room, Hospital or Kraal, as well as other volunteer opportunities. On-the-job training in these particular jobs is provided.

Requirements
• Pay a $125.00 Tuition and Materials fee
• Be a member in Good Standing of The Living Desert
• Complete all required training for assigned duties
• Purchase volunteer shirt
• Commit to two seasons of Youth Tour duty in an interpretive capacity, working (one) 3½ hour shift per week (minimum of 126 hours per season).

For specific questions, please call our Volunteer Office at 760-346-5694, ext. 2503 or send an email to jmgreene@livingdesert.org

Click here for the 2008-2009 Docent Training Schedule.