GET INVOLVED

Duration: Ongoing, with a minimum commitment of six months/four hours per month

Reports To: Volunteer Coordinator

Role Summary:

As a Safety Ambassador at CuriOdyssey Science Playground and Zoo, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our playground is a safe and enjoyable environment for all child visitors. Your primary responsibilities will include monitoring playground activities, encouraging safe play practices, promoting kindness among children, interpreting the "Physics in Action" concept to enhance learning, and applying an equity lens in all interactions. This position requires interacting directly with children to address unsafe or unkind behaviors with a focus on positive reinforcement and constructive guidance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor Playground Activities: Observe children at play to ensure they follow safety guidelines and engage in appropriate behavior.
• Promote Safe Play: Gently intervene when children engage in unsafe activities, explaining the potential dangers and encouraging safer alternatives.
• Encourage Kindness: Foster a friendly and inclusive atmosphere by promoting kindness and respect among children. Intervene in situations where children are not playing kindly and guide appropriate interactions.
• Direct Communication with Children: Address children directly when discussing safety or behavioral issues, demonstrating respect for their ability to understand and learn from these interactions. Avoid involving parents or caregivers in these discussions.
• Provide Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques to acknowledge and encourage safe and kind behaviors among children.
• Interpret Physics in Action: Explain the "Physics in Action" concept by demonstrating and interpreting playground activities as scientific phenomena, helping children understand the basic principles of physics through their play.
• Apply a DEI Lens: Use a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lens when engaging with children, ensuring fair and equitable treatment. Avoid over-policing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children and strive to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all children.
• Report Incidents: Document any significant incidents or recurring issues and report them to the front desk staff or Volunteer Coordinator for further action or review.

Qualifications:

• Passion for Child Safety and Education: A genuine interest in promoting a safe and positive environment for children.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and kindly with children of various ages.
• Patience and Empathy: Demonstrated patience and empathy when dealing with children, particularly in challenging situations.
• Observational Skills: Keen observational skills to identify potential safety hazards and behavioral issues.
• Responsibility and Reliability: A responsible and reliable individual who can commit to scheduled volunteer hours and follow through on responsibilities.
• Interest in Science Education: Enthusiasm for explaining scientific concepts engagingly and understandable to children.
• Commitment to DEI Principles: An understanding of and commitment to applying DEI principles in interactions with children and avoiding biased behavior.

Training:

CuriOdyssey will provide comprehensive training on playground safety protocols, positive behavior reinforcement techniques, effective communication strategies for interacting with children, basic principles of physics relevant to playground activities, and DEI principles.

Benefits:

• Community Engagement: Opportunity to make a positive impact on the community by ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for children.
• Skill Development: Gain valuable skills in child supervision, conflict resolution, communication, and science education.
• CuriOdyssey Perks: Enjoy volunteer recognition events, access to CuriOdyssey exhibits, discounts at the gift shop, free membership, and more.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should complete the online volunteer application form at tfaforms.com. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and training session.

Join CuriOdyssey and help create a safe, kind, equitable, and educational environment where children can learn, explore, and play with confidence!