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Home > Get involved > Volunteering > Burwood East
Volunteering at RSPCA Burwood East
Volunteering
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Corporate Volunteering
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Internship
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Work experience
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Throughout the year, we have a range of volunteer opportunities available at our Burwood East site. To work directly with RSPCA animals, professional experience and/or qualifications are not required, however they are beneficial for some roles. Experience with family pets, or in another animal-related area, is essential. The ability to commit to a regular weekly or fortnightly 4-hour shift for a minimum of six months is required. Examples of volunteer roles performed at the Burwood East site include:
Hands-on animal related roles
Shelter
- Cattery – cleaning, feeding and caring for cats and kittens
- Kennels – cleaning, feeding, caring for and walking our dogs and puppies
- Admissions –cleaning, feeding and caring for a range of animals in our initial processing area
- Barn – cleaning, feeding and caring for our small and large barnyard animals
Customer Service
- Dog Grooming Assistant – assisting the dog groomer by helping hold animals during grooming, cleaning up after grooming and washing dogs
Clinic
- Vet Nurse Assistant – working in our busy vet clinic, tasks include cleaning, feeding and caring for our shelter animals and private pets pre and post surgery (limited roles available).
Non animal related roles
- Events Assistant - assisting with major external and smaller internal events.
- Op Shop Assistant - assisting in the day to day running of our Op Shops.
- Campaign Hero - raise the profile of our animal welfare campaigns in your local community.
- Administration / Finance / IT - assisting with various tasks within our Administration, Finance and Information Systems teams
- Grounds maintenance - assisting our maintenance team in maintaining the grounds at our Burwood East Shelter.
- Fundraising - assisting with various fundraising tasks such as data entry, donation processing and general marketing administrative tasks.
- Skilled volunteers – if you have professional skills that you wish to look at offering the RSPCA please email us your resume and your area of interest to Volunteer Resources.
What time commitment is required?
At RSPCA Burwood East, most volunteers need to commit to either a weekly or fortnightly shift in the morning or afternoon on a weekday or weekend, for a minimum of six months.
Animal related roles work on a structured roster to ensure we have adequate resources to meet the needs of the animals in our care each day. Shifts in our shelter and clinic are generally 4-hours eg. 8am – 12pm or 12pm – 4pm. Hours required for other roles vary and can be discussed at your interview.
Please note that we do not offer short-term, high school community service roles or one-off volunteering opportunities for individuals or groups at RSPCA Burwood East. High school or tertiary students can apply for our work experience program from late in 2013. Please continue visiting our website for updates. Corporate partners can participate in our corporate volunteering program.
What is the next step?
The first step is to complete an application form (available on this page from late June) and if we have a position matching your skills, you may be invited to attend a volunteer information session. This one-hour session helps to explain the work of the RSPCA, our volunteer program and the roles available.
Below are the dates of our 2013 sessions. Attendance is by invitation only.
Information session
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Applications open |
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
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Mid July
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Tuesday, 17 September 2013
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Late August
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| Tuesday 12 November 2013 |
Late October
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How do I book the volunteer information session?
From July, 2013, you must be invited to attend an information session. This is following completion of your volunteer application form (available on this page from late June).
What happens after the volunteer information session?
If you are looking to volunteer directly with animals, you must be available for a 3.5 hour group volunteer Interview and Orientation Course.
Bookings for the Interview and Orientation Course can be made through our website and further details will be given to you in a handout at the information session.
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Information
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2013 Volunteer Information Sessions
Sorry, our May information session is fully booked. Applications for our next information session will be accepted in July. Our sincerest apologies if you missed out.
P 03 9224 2222
E Email Volunteer Resources
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RSPCA Victoria welcomes the involvement of Corporate Volunteers and has an established program in place at both our Burwood East
and Peninsula sites.
The contribution of Corporate Volunteers
enhances the RSPCA’s operations by
providing much-needed practical assistance.
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How do I get involved?
The RSPCA Victoria has a number of established Corporate Partners actively participating in this program. Please check with your employer to see if an arrangement is already in place.
New Corporate partners are welcomed at the RSPCA. Please see below for more information:
- Prior to an activity being arranged, new Corporate partners must review the Corporate Volunteering Agreement. A representative with appropriate authority to sign off on behalf of all staff from your organisation must approve of the Agreement.
- The RSPCA requires confirmation that the participating company offers Workcover insurance for its Corporate Volunteers via a RSPCA Corporate Volunteer Agreement
- Organisations need to provide a central contact person to manage their staff enquiries.
- An established calendar of activities is in place. For enquiries regarding available activities please contact Lisa Bretnall.
What sorts of activities can I do?
The RSPCA is conscious of best work practice and safety for volunteers and the animals in our care. Due to the limited time involved in corporate volunteering days and the training and supervision required to handle animals, we are unable to offer opportunities to work directly with animals. A tour of the property is included in most Corporate Volunteer activities and this provides an opportunity to see the animals.
Retail - suitable for 1 – 3 volunteers
Assisting the Retail Department with a variety of tasks including; labelling pet care products, stocking shelves, data entry, stock takes and general administration tasks. Volunteers must be capable of working on their feet and some light lifting is involved.
Administration - suitable for 1 – 5 volunteers depending on the task
The RSPCA sometimes requires assistance with bulk mailouts and administration tasks relating to fundraising/campaigns or events.
Maintenance/gardening - suitable for 6 – 10 volunteers
Involves working on the grounds of the RSPCA Burwood site. Tasks may include minor maintenance and painting tasks or gardening (weeding garden beds, watering, mulching etc). Full supervision will be provided. Volunteers must be capable of physical work.
Special Events - suitable for up to 30 volunteers depending on the event
Major events (usually on weekends) such as All Creatures Day in March, and the Million Paws Walk in May, require assistance with event set-up. There is also capacity for assistance on the event day helping with BBQ’s, parking marshals etc.
Skilled Projects
On occasions the RSPCA requires the assistance of Corporate Volunteers with specialist skills to assist with project- based work. If you would like to discuss opportunities to offer your skills and you have employer support to get involved, please contact Lisa Bretnall, Volunteer Coordinator on lbretnall@rspcavic.org.au or 03 9224 2283.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will we get to see the animals?
Unless otherwise advised, Corporate Volunteers will be offered a tour of the premises. Tours cover our Shelter and Clinic facilities and you will have the opportunity to have some contact with animals in the adoption areas.
Will someone show me what to do?
All corporate volunteers have a supervisor and will be shown the tasks to be completed. A supervisor will be available at all times.
Can I work hands on with the animals?
The RSPCA is conscious of best work practice and safety for volunteers and the animals in our care. Due to the limited time involved in corporate volunteering days and the training and supervision required to handle animals, we are unable to offer opportunities to work directly with animals. A tour of the property is included in most Corporate Volunteer activities and this provides an opportunity to see the animals.
What staff facilities are available?
A kitchen with tea and coffee, microwave and refrigerator and staff change rooms with showers.
What do we wear?
Details will be provided for your specific activity when you book.
What time are the activities?
Generally corporate volunteer activities run for a full day as this is the period of leave provided by employers to staff. Times for specific activities will be confirmed with you.
How do we find out about what activities are available?
A calendar of activities is in place. To find out what is available contact Lisa Bretnall on lbretnall@rspcavic.org.au or 9224 2283. Please note that our activities are often booked out two months in advance.
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RSPCA Victoria values the contribution of our Interns to bring enthusiasm and new ideas to further the cause of animal welfare.
Our program provides students the opportunity to apply and further develop skills acquired through relevant academic study in a vibrant and professional work environment.
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We offer Internships in various areas of our organisation including Marketing, Campaigns and Communications, Direct Retail, Events, Finance, Information Technology (IT), Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, Animal Welfare and Local Government.
Qualifications and requirements
To apply for the RSPCA Internship program you will need the following qualifications and meet these requirements:
- Relevant course of study relating to the Internship.
- Commitment to the RSPCA and the role being undertaken.
- Initiative and creativity.
- Ability to work within a team.
- Strong communication skills.
- Passion for animal welfare.
- Attention to detail.
- Analytical skills.
Education level
Minimum of second or third year University or TAFE studies.
Payment
Interns will receive no payment for the duration of the Internship.
Location
All Internships will be conducted at RSPCA Burwood East.
Time commitment
The length of the Internship and hours required will depend on the role, the student’s availability and requirements.
Insurance
The Intern is not an employee of RSPCA Victoria and is therefore not covered by WorkCover. The educational institution of the student will carry an insurance policy to cover the student for the duration of the Internship.
The RSPCA has a public liability insurance policy that provides protection against legal action from third parties arising from damage to property or injury to a third party caused by the Intern whilst undertaking their role, provided the action was done in ‘good faith’.
Occupation Health and Safety (OH&S)
The RSPCA has a comprehensive OH&S manual detailing all procedures related to OH&S and first aid. During induction, each Intern will be advised of health and safety representatives, wardens, first aid procedures and representatives, evacuation/emergency response procedures and reporting of hazards, incidents and accidents.
Student expectations
RSPCA Victoria will provide:
- A detailed role description.
- An Internship manual outlining our program and organisation.
- A Standards of Behaviour brochure.
- An Internship agreement including name, institution, dates, role description/expectations and signatures of student and RSPCA representatives.
- Meaningful and interesting tasks and projects.
- Orientation, training, advice and directions to complete your tasks effectively.
- Feedback in regards to performance.
- Completion of required paperwork and reports.
- A certificate of Internship upon completion of your time with us.
RSPCA's expectations
As an Intern, you must:
- Research the RSPCA and be sure of your commitment.
- Submit a detailed application form including an updated resume and references.
- Attend an interview.
- Complete all tasks assigned by your supervisor in a timely manner.
- Advise your supervisor of paperwork requirements at the start of Internship.
- Act at all times in a professional and courteous manner.
- Read and adhere to our Standards of Behaviour policy.
- Always be punctual and in attendance of allocated work days.
Application process
Please complete the internship application form and attach your resume, cover letter and transcript of your most recent results, then submit it to volunteer@rspcavic.org.au.
- Complete the Online Internship Application Form.
- You will be contacted on the status of your application in a timely manner and Internship offers will be made to successful candidates.
Ongoing opportunities
As an Intern you may have the option to transfer directly to our Volunteer Program upon the completion of your Internship. This may be in the area you have already worked or in other departments of the organisation. Please note, with any animal handling roles you will be provided with an Animal Handling Manual and will be required to attend an orientation session.
You are also able to apply for paid roles within the RSPCA.
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Information
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There are currently no internship opportunities available at RSPCA Victoria.
P 03 9224 2222
E Email Volunteer Resources
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Work experience at Burwood East
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RSPCA work experience offers tertiary and secondary students an opportunity to learn about animal care and welfare. Students actively participate in practical and challenging activities.
2013 program
Unfortunately due to site redevelopment building works, we will not be placing work experience students in 2013 at RSPCA Burwood East. Please return to this website in June, 2013 for an update on our progress.
Although positions in our work experience program are not available, don’t forget there are lots of other ways you can get involved and learn about animal welfare.
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Tags: volunteer, volunteering, work, experience, internship, fostering, corporate, volunteer workplace, animal volunteer, volunteer animal, charity animal, preventing animal cruelty, animal charities
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