03. Partners

PARTNER DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

TRAINEE

All volunteers start in the program as Red Level Trainees.  Trainees are considered a probationary level.  A volunteer serving at this level will work under the direct supervision of a ranking volunteer. Depending on the schedule for the day Trainees can sign up for either morning or afternoon shifts. Shifts are typically 4 hours in duration, 8 AM – 12 PM or 1 PM – 5 PM. 

Duties: Trainee duties may or may not include landscaping, enclosure maintenance projects, backing up tours, housekeeping of the gift shop, food prep, and other buildings onsite, administrative duties, grounds maintenance, and other tasks assigned by the Coordinators or Staff. 

Time Commitment: The monthly hour requirement for Red Level Trainee is 16 hours (approximately 4 hours a week).

Red Level Trainee Classes & Certifications

• Tour Back-up, Gate Operation and Guest Sign In

• Animal Emergency

• Animal Observation

• Human First Aid

• Kitten Playtime (interaction with domestic foster kittens)

• Events

Partner Advancement: Trainees may apply for promotion to Yellow Level Partner after having completed the following;  2 consecutive months volunteering a minimum of 16 hours per month performing Trainee duties, completion of Red Level classes, and successful passing of the Map Test. 

YELLOW LEVEL PARTNER

Yellow Level Partners are permitted to walk the tour path unescorted, are eligible to guide Private Tours (after completing prerequisite classes and certifications), may request to follow feeders and observe the cats being fed from the tour path, and can answer radio calls for golf carts. 

Due to the physical demands and safety protocols of the Partner positions, the following criteria must be met to maintain Big Cat Rescue’s safety standards.

• At least 18-years old and possess a valid driver’s license

• Physical and mental capability to safely perform Partner tasks

• Capable of walking and standing for extended periods of time

• Possess vision and hearing at adequate levels

• Possess adequate literacy and verbal comprehension of English

• Give complete disclosure of any prescription drugs

Duties: Partner duties may or may not include Trainee duties, guiding Private Tours, assisting with off-site events, reading enrichment with small cats (hybrids through lynx), using office equipment, shipping and receiving, answering phones, training and mentoring Trainees, and other tasks assigned by the Coordinators or Staff.

Time Commitment: The monthly requirement for Yellow Level Partner is 16 hours (4-hours per week).

Yellow Level Partner Classes & Certifications

• Small Cat Cleaning

• Small Cat Enrichment and Certification

• Small Cat Feeding 

• Small Cat Operant Training

• Tour Guide and Certification

Advancement: Yellow Level Partners may request promotion to Green Level Senior Partner after having completed the following; 12 consecutive months volunteering a minimum of 16 hours per month performing Partner duties, completion of all Yellow Level classes and certifications, and successful passing of the Map Test.  

GREEN LEVEL SENIOR PARTNER

Green Level Partners are eligible to provide the speaking portion of the Feeding and Keeper Tours.

Duties: Senior Partner duties may or may not include Trainee and Partner duties, outreach, speaking portion of the Feeding and Keeper Tours, reading enrichment with big cats (cougar, leopard, lion, jaguar and tiger),  gift shop transactions, teaching classes, coordinating gift shop duties, administrative projects, and tours as well as other tasks assigned by the Coordinators or Staff.  Each volunteer that is promoted to Senior Partner will be assigned a special task or duty that they are responsible for.

Time Commitment: The monthly requirement for Green Level Senior Partner is 16 hours (4-hours per week).

Green Level Senior Partner Classes & Certifications

• Big Cat Cleaning

• Big Cat Enrichment and Certification

• Big Cat Feeding

• Big Cat Operant

• Med Administration

• Feeding Tour Guide Speaker and Certification

• Keeper Tour Guide Speaker and Certification

Certification Requirements: Each of the above classes and certifications must be completed in the order as listed before moving on to the next class and certification. 

Advancement: Green Level Senior Partners are automatically promoted to Navy Level Master Partner after having completed the following; 48 consecutive months volunteering a minimum of 16 hours per month performing Senior Partner duties.

NAVY LEVEL MASTER PARTNER

Navy Level Master Partners are celebrated and recognized as veteran volunteers and are looked up to by all other volunteer ranks for advice and guidance.

Duties: Navy Level Master Partner duties may or may not include Trainee, Partner, and Senior Partner duties and other tasks assigned by the Coordinators or Staff. Each volunteer that is promoted to Master Partner will be assigned a special task or duty that they are responsible for. 

Time Commitment: The monthly requirement for Navy Level Master Partner is 16 hours (4-hours per week).