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New York Aquarium Docent Opportunities
Become a docent – also known as an exhibit interpreter – at the New York Aquarium and help staff exhibits, teach visitors about marine conservation, and assist at events and education programs! As a docent, you will have the opportunity to meet individuals from around the world and join a family of fellow volunteers, staff, and wildlife experts who share a passion for our natural world.
The Docent Program is open to anyone age 15 and older: high school students, college/grad students, and adults.
Docent responsibilities include:
- Speaking with aquarium visitors and giving exhibit chats using biological artifacts and other visual aids
- Assisting with the development and implementation of special events
- Staffing information and craft tables during special events on-site and off-site
- Assisting Education Department instructors with school and family programs
- Teaching visitors how to interact with horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and other animals at our touch pools
- Conducting short marine conservation programs on the Coney Island Boardwalk outside of the aquarium entrance
Requirements
To get involved, print and fill out an application. You must be at least 15 years or older to apply. Admission to the program is competitive. After an interview and orientation, accepted candidates must complete an intensive 7-day training course (see training schedule below).
Applications are being accepted now for the summer, academic year, and year-long docent opportunities. The training includes sessions on marine science, public speaking skills, and activities designed to foster good relations among docents. Applicants under age 18 must have a parent sign their application form and a teacher fill out the recommendation form.
- Summer Teen Docents (July 2, 2013–September 2, 2013)
Open to high school students, ages 15–18. Participants must volunteer two full days (6½ hours/day) per week at minimum, in order to complete a total of 120 service hours and 5 education hours. Days are flexible.
- Academic Year Teen Docents (September 15, 2013–June 30, 2014)
Open to high school students, ages 15–18. Participants must volunteer once every other week during volunteer shifts in the mornings (9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.), afternoons (1:00–5:00 p.m., weekends only), or full days (9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), totaling 150 service hours and 5 education hours.
- Adult Docents (1 year from the start date)
Open to those out of high school, aged 18 years and older. Participants must volunteer either once a week during volunteer shifts in the mornings (9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) or afternoons (1:00–5:00 p.m., weekends only), OR full days (9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) once every other week, for 1 year, in addition to completing 5 education hours.
Application Process & Training Sessions
Applications are accepted each year from March 15–May 18, until 4:00 p.m on the 18th. Late, incomplete, or illegible applications will not be considered. An orientation and interview are mandatory. The NY Aquarium will call you to schedule an interview after they receive your application. Once accepted into the docent program, you will be required to attend the 7-day training courses, which take place from 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. each day:
Summer Training Course For summer and year-long docents |
Fall Training Course For academic-year and year-long docents |
Saturday, June 22, 2013 | Saturday, August 17, 2013 |
Sunday, June 23, 2013 | Sunday, August 18, 2013 |
Thursday, June 27, 2013 | Saturday, August 24, 2013 |
Friday, June 28, 2013 | Sunday, August 25, 2013 |
Saturday, June 29, 2013 | Saturday, September 7, 2013 |
Sunday, June 30, 2013 | Sunday, September 8, 2013 |
Monday, July 1, 2013 | Saturday, September 14, 2013 |
Download the application.
Download the teacher recommendation form.
Contact
If you have any questions, please call the volunteer office at (718) 265-3450, Saturday through Thursday, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email nyadocent@wcs.org.
YCteen FREE Summer Writing Workshop
If you’re a New York City teen and you like the idea of writing stories that will help your peers, YCteen may be the place for you!
YCteen writers get published online and in a print magazine that’s distributed to hundreds of high schools, libraries, and community-based organizations in New York City. Most teens on the staff write personal stories about their own lives, and reported stories about issues that affect young people.
Youth Communication’s Summer Writing Workshop
July 8 – August 15, 2013
No prior journalism experience is required, but you must commit to a rigorous schedule. You will get one-on-one mentoring from a professional editor, write and revise memoir-style and reported stories, spend time “on the street” as a reporter, go on field trips, and participate in the production of videos for our websites. This is a competitive program—there will be a maximum of 10 students—so start working on your application essays now!
Participants in the summer workshop may write for either of Youth Communication’s two award-winning magazines: YCteen, by and for New York City high school students, or Represent, by and for young people in foster care.
Dates and Times: The workshop runs Monday through Thursday from July 8 to August 15. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must be able to attend every day.
Cost: The workshop is free because YCteen funders cover the $3,000 cost for each participant.
Stipend: MetroCards and $5 for lunch each day are provided. (Youth in foster care will also receive a $600 stipend upon successful completion of the workshop.)
Facilities: The workshop will be taught at the Youth Communication office in mid-town Manhattan. The office is easily accessible by most major subway lines.
Staff: Writers will be taught by Youth Communication editors who have substantial experience working in journalism and youth development.
Eligibility: Anyone ages 15 to 20 who lives within commuting distance is eligible to apply. YCTeen is interested in your writing skills, but when they judge your essays, they will also look for your knowledge and enthusiasm. Youth Communication’s most essential job is to convey important information to teens in an interesting way.
History: This is the 34th year YCteen has run the summer program. Workshop alumni have gone on to attend colleges from Hunter to Harvard, and they include reporters, lawyers, teachers, and authors.
Deadline: Applications must be received by May 10, 2013. Top candidates will be contacted by May 24 for interviews.
To Apply: Fill out the online application here or download a PDF of the application to print out.
Questions? Contact Autumn at aspanne@youthcomm.org or call (212) 279-0708, ext. 116
FREE EMT Training Course in Brooklyn and Manhattan
Would you like to attend an EMT training class for free?
Sign up for a 3-month class beginning on May 13th or May 20th!!
*Attend for free if you meet certain eligibility requirements!!!
Key Details:
Batch 1: Emergency Care Programs (ECP-NY)
711 West 179th Street, NYC 10033
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6-10PM (Plus Two Tuesdays)
Class Dates: May 13th to August 15th
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Batch 2: Emergency Care Programs (ECP-HC)
1219 Avenue T, Brooklyn, NY
Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 6-10PM (Plus two Thursdays)
Class Dates: May 20th to August 15th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 18-24 (If older than 24, you must have a child under the age of 18)
- Must have a GED or H.S. Diploma
- Must pass reading and language exam before starting the class
- Must be a New York Resident
- Must have a driver’s license
To schedule the reading and language exams which will determine your eligibility for this course, please contact: Ms. Frontus (347) 374-2455 or e-mail: mkf25@yahoo.com.
American Apparel is Hiring in NYC
American Apparel is searching for creative candidates with a genuine interest in fashion, business, and technology in NYC!
Benefits include:
- Medical
- Dental
- Discounts and giveaways
- Bonuses
- Travel and potential advancement
Apply by sending the following to NYJOBS@americanapparel.net:
- Resume
- Brief introduction
- Social media links (ie. Tumblr, Facebook, etc.)
- 1-2 recent pictures of yourself that highlight your style
Flyer below with details:
NAACP Professional Technology and Diversity Fair, May 6th
ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS!
The NAACP is presenting its Professional Technology and Diversity Fair!
Diversity means everyone! Employers will be set up in a trade show open house environment. No appointments needed – Candidates may meet with the employers they choose. You are encouraged to visit the employer websites and apply for jobs prior to attending. FREE and open to all candidates with a 4-year degree!
Date: Monday, May 6th
Time: 10AM-3PM
Location: Hilton Times Square, 234 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10019
Past and current exhibitors include:
- Air Force Reserve Command
- CA Technologies
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc
- Hilton Worldwide
- Municipal Credit Union
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- McDonald’s Corporation
- National Black MBA Association – Metro New York Chapter
- New York Life Insurance Company
- New York Urban League
- Nyack College, Seminary & Graduate School
- NY City Department of Environmental Protection
- NY City Department of Information, Technology & Telecommunications
- NYC Department of Education
- NYU Langone Medical Center
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
- Rockefeller University
- The Mount Sinai Hospital
- United States Marine Corps
- U.S. Department of State