Facility

Dolphin Research Center

Closing Date

Description

SUMMER CHAPERONE
Available June 10 – August 11, 2017

Dolphin Research Center currently has an opening for a qualified residential chaperone for youths in our popular DolphinCamp & Teen DolphinLab programs. See http://www.dolphins.org/dolphin_lab.php for more information about DolphinCamp & DolphinLab. Youth and Teen DolphinLabs are offered each summer for children ranging in age from 10 to 17. Classes run back to back during the summer. Each class is one week in length, running Saturday afternoons through Friday mornings.

DolphinLab is DRC’s premiere educational program. It has a lasting impact on our students, providing them with an unforgettable experience and an unparalleled education about dolphins and the environment we share. The Summer Chaperone should relate well with young people, yet be able to maintain discipline and control. The Chaperone must be able to coordinate the movement of a group of 14 students, assist in integrating diverse personalities, and handle any emergencies that may occur during the week.

The Summer Chaperone is entitled to free room and board at the DolphinLab dormitory, for the entire nine-week period of June 10 – August 11, 2017, during our youth and teen classes. The Chaperone is invited to participate in DolphinLab seminars and workshops to gain and develop knowledge regarding marine mammals. The Summer Chaperone is required to sleep in the upstairs quarters adjacent to the students’ rooms and may bunk in the same room with students of the same sex during full weeks. The Chaperone will have an additional private room available downstairs for private space. All meals are provided during the DolphinLab sessions. The Chaperone will generally have one free night each week between classes, however, please note: there are some weeks where students may stay over for successive programs, and in this case, the chaperone will not have an evening off.

Position Responsibilities

Qualifications: This position requires a responsible, mature individual who is energetic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible, and able to deal with long hours. Candidates must have extensive experience working with youth in a supervisory capacity. Experience supervising youths overnight is preferred but not required. Previous experience in the DolphinLab program is preferred but not required. Candidates must be available for the full nine-week duration of DolphinLab programming, have a clear driving record, and pass a background check and fingerprinting; hiring is contingent upon meeting these qualifications.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
● Responsible for pick-ups (Saturday mornings) and drop-offs (Friday mornings/afternoons) of minor participants at the Key West airport; travel may be with or without a DolphinLab coordinator.
● Driving a 15-passenger van when transporting students to and from the Key West airport, or to and from DRC each day.
● For the first day of Lab, Saturdays: assisting DolphinLab coordinators in greeting class members, assigning dorm rooms, distributing linens, folders, and name tags, and ensuring all class members are present and ready for their first activity.
● Conduct daily continental breakfast set up and break down; preparing and cooking dinner for all minor participants each night following the last activity of the day.
● Coordinating evening educational and recreational activities for participants.
● Ensuring the dorm is kept clean and tidy; this may include sweeping/mopping the common room and kitchen floors periodically throughout the week.
● Saturday through Thursday, the chaperone must be responsible for the students from 4:30 pm until 9:00am the next day.
● Fridays are typically the chaperone’s night off, however, the chaperone may also be required to be responsible for any teens staying over in our three-week series of Basic/Intermediate/Advanced classes.
● Ensuring all students are up and ready to go in time for the first activity each morning; reviewing daily schedule with students and assisting staff with scheduling changes.
● Supporting staff in assuring students’ adherence to all DRC guidelines for grounds, dorm, and interaction with dolphins, staff, and volunteers.
● Reviewing “Rules and Guidelines for Minors” with students and assisting staff in enforcing these. The chaperone is responsible for enforcing all rules after the last activity of the day, 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning.
● Ensuring all copies of medical information and treatment authorization forms are at the dorm. Informing staff of any medical emergencies and assisting in handling any that arise.
● Informing staff of any potential problems with student behavior or interaction that is potentially disruptive and assisting staff in dealing with them.
● Ensuring that all students complete and return program evaluations, assisting with all closing responsibilities and preparing students for timely departure.
● Accompanying students on field trips and assisting Instructors with coordination.

Salary for the position is $360.00 per week plus room and meals while DolphinLab is in session during the nine-week period of June 10 – August 11, 2017. The best benefit is being able to participate in the seminars and workshops for our college-accredited program, DolphinLab, at no cost. Additionally, the Summer Chaperone may visit DRC during the day to observe educational behavior narrations, and informational Theater presentations. For a full-time chaperone that commits to the entire nine-week period, DRC offers a 15% gift shop discount. Please note: There is no hands-on interaction with the animals; however, (s)he may purchase an interactive program through Guest Services if (s)he wishes to interact with the dolphins.

Dolphin Research Center is an equal opportunity employer

Education and Pre-requisites

Position Responsibilities

Qualifications: This position requires a responsible, mature individual who is energetic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible, and able to deal with long hours. Candidates must have extensive experience working with youth in a supervisory capacity. Experience supervising youths overnight is preferred but not required. Previous experience in the DolphinLab program is preferred but not required. Candidates must be available for the full nine-week duration of DolphinLab programming, have a clear driving record, and pass a background check and fingerprinting; hiring is contingent upon meeting these qualifications.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
● Responsible for pick-ups (Saturday mornings) and drop-offs (Friday mornings/afternoons) of minor participants at the Key West airport; travel may be with or without a DolphinLab coordinator.
● Driving a 15-passenger van when transporting students to and from the Key West airport, or to and from DRC each day.
● For the first day of Lab, Saturdays: assisting DolphinLab coordinators in greeting class members, assigning dorm rooms, distributing linens, folders, and name tags, and ensuring all class members are present and ready for their first activity.
● Conduct daily continental breakfast set up and break down; preparing and cooking dinner for all minor participants each night following the last activity of the day.
● Coordinating evening educational and recreational activities for participants.
● Ensuring the dorm is kept clean and tidy; this may include sweeping/mopping the common room and kitchen floors periodically throughout the week.
● Saturday through Thursday, the chaperone must be responsible for the students from 4:30 pm until 9:00am the next day.
● Fridays are typically the chaperone’s night off, however, the chaperone may also be required to be responsible for any teens staying over in our three-week series of Basic/Intermediate/Advanced classes.
● Ensuring all students are up and ready to go in time for the first activity each morning; reviewing daily schedule with students and assisting staff with scheduling changes.
● Supporting staff in assuring students’ adherence to all DRC guidelines for grounds, dorm, and interaction with dolphins, staff, and volunteers.
● Reviewing “Rules and Guidelines for Minors” with students and assisting staff in enforcing these. The chaperone is responsible for enforcing all rules after the last activity of the day, 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning.
● Ensuring all copies of medical information and treatment authorization forms are at the dorm. Informing staff of any medical emergencies and assisting in handling any that arise.
● Informing staff of any potential problems with student behavior or interaction that is potentially disruptive and assisting staff in dealing with them.
● Ensuring that all students complete and return program evaluations, assisting with all closing responsibilities and preparing students for timely departure.
● Accompanying students on field trips and assisting Instructors with coordination.

Compensation and benefits

Salary for the position is $360.00 per week plus room and meals while DolphinLab is in session during the nine-week period of June 10 – August 11, 2017. The best benefit is being able to participate in the seminars and workshops for our college-accredited program, DolphinLab, at no cost. Additionally, the Summer Chaperone may visit DRC during the day to observe educational behavior narrations, and informational Theater presentations. For a full-time chaperone that commits to the entire nine-week period, DRC offers a 15% gift shop discount. Please note: There is no hands-on interaction with the animals; however, (s)he may purchase an interactive program through Guest Services if (s)he wishes to interact with the dolphins.

Application instructions

Submit a cover letter, resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org or fax to 305-289-8902 or mail to Dolphin Research Center, 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, Florida 33050