Volunteer/Intern Candidate Application

Thank you for your interest in Dolphin Research Center and our Volunteer Program. All applicants complete sections A, C, and D. Intern applicants must also complete Section B. Upon review of your application, DRC will contact you via e-mail. If you do not have access to e-mail, please provide a daytime phone number where we may call you collect.

To apply: fill out this form, print it, sign it, and mail to:

Dolphin Research Center
Attention: Volunteer Resources Department
58901 Overseas Hwy
Grassy Key, FL  33050-6019
USA

Note: Be brief! Check your answers in text areas - if they are more than a couple lines they will get cut off at the bottom when printed and lost forever! If you cannot be that brief, answer on a separate sheet of paper and include it with the application form.

SECTION A (All applicants complete this section)

First Name:   Middle Initial:   Last Name:  
Primary Phone #:   Secondary Phone #:
Fax #   Email Address:
Permanent Address Line 1:
Permanent Address Line 2:
City:   State/Province:
Country:   Zip/Postal Code:
Are you applying for an internship? Yes No  Are you currently enrolled in college? Yes No
Will you be seeking school credits for your volunteer work? Yes No

If yes, what are the requirements necessary to earn the college credits (examples include reports, thesis,
papers, presentations, journals, etc.)?
  

Skills, Hobbies, or Special Interests:

Please describe any special needs, physical limitations, or medical conditions that might limit you from
meeting the volunteer requirements. We must be made aware of these needs in advance. Depending
upon your specific needs, DRC may or may not be able to accommodate your request to volunteer.

How did your hear about DRC's Volunteer Resources Department?
Have you previously submitted a volunteer/Intern Application? Yes   No  If yes, when?
What previous experience do you have with DRC (donor, member, DolphinLab Participant, Visitor, etc.)

Available Start Date:    Preferred End Date:  
Please list any scheduling restrictions or requests:

SECTION B (For intern applicants only, all other applicants proceed to Section C.)
Along with this completed application, internship candidates must also submit the following:

• School Transcripts
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation. If currently enrolled in college, one letter must be from your Faculty Advisor.

INTERNSHIP PREFERENCES: (Enter Animal Care & Training, Research, Education, Visual Communications, or Special Needs Dolphin Pathways Program.)
First Choice:    Second Choice:    Third Choice:

TERM PREFERENCES: (Enter Winter/Spring, Summer, or Fall)
First Choice for Term:    Second Choice for Term:

All application materials including this completed application, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume, must be RECEIVED by DRC no later than the dates shown below.

 
Faculty Advisor's Name (if applicable):  
School:   Phone #:
Fax #   Email Address:
Permanent Address Line 1:
Permanent Address Line 2:
City:   State/Province:
Country:   Zip/Postal Code:

SECTION C (All applicants must complete this section)

Please answer the following five questions. Attach additional pages as needed.

1. Describe any prior experience, education, or activities that are relevant to this volunteer position or internship. Please include involvement with other conservation, environmental, or animal organizations.


2. Why do you want to volunteer at DRC?


3. What expectations do you have regarding volunteering at DRC?

4. Do you have any career goals or other goals that you hope to achieve by volunteering at  DRC?

5. Will you be at least 18 years old when you arrive at DRC? Yes No   If not, minor participants must be at least 12 years old and teamed with a guardian or other adult authorized by the guardian. The minor participant and adult teammate must each complete and submit a separate application. Please refer to the Youth Volunteer Guidelines and have the guardian sign the additional consent and release form.

SECTION D (All applicants must complete this section)
THE UNDERSIGNED recognizes and acknowledges that the Dolphin Research Center ("DRC") Volunteer program is a vigorous physical activity that involves risks of bodily injuries, both known and unknown, including, without limitation, bruises, scrapes, abrasions, infections, broken bones, trauma, fear and mental anguish and property damages, both known and unknown. DRC Volunteer program, which occurs in a natural environment, also involves risks of bodily injuries and illnesses from indigenous marine life, both known and unknown, including, without limitation, possible irritation, caused by sensitivity to water-borne irritants and possible infections caused by susceptibility to water-borne pathogens.

The undersigned, both individually and/or as guardian or the Minor Participant(s), hereby assumes each of the risks described above, and releases and discharges DRC, its officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, and all volunteers from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, attorney's fees, compensation and all consequential or other damages now accrued or hereafter to accrue to or for the benefit of the undersigned or the Minor Participant(s) as a result of any act(s), omission(s) and/or negligence of the Dolphin Research Center, its officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, and all volunteers, specifically including, without limitation, any personal injury or property damage incurred while at DRC, DRC's Dormitory, or in any vehicle of DRC.

The undersigned, both individually and/or as guardian of the Minor Participant(s), also agrees that any photographs taken or audio-visual recordings (including film or videotapes) made at the Dolphin Research Center will be used only for private, non-commercial purposes, and that no other (whether commercial or non-commercial) of such photographs or recordings will be made without the prior written authorization of DRC. The undersigned further consents to the making, use, and reproduction by the DRC or anyone authorized by the DRC of photographs, video recordings, or film of his/her or the Minor Participants' images while engaged in Volunteer program for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the DRC's activities, without compensation to the undersigned.

The undersigned, both individually and/or as guardian of the Minor Participant(s), also agrees that all work performed by the volunteer while at DRC including materials, documents, work products, equipment and/or prototypes, and any and all intellectual property shall be the exclusive property of DRC and may not be disclosed in any form now or in the future by you without the expressed written consent of DRC. Because volunteers will have access to sensitive, confidential, or privileged information, all volunteers will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

By signing below, the applicant acknowledges that he/she has read, understands and fully agrees to the above. The applicant’s signature also certifies that the information given on this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge. The applicant understands that any misstatement or omission may result in the withdrawal of the application, or, if placed as a DRC volunteer, in termination of the volunteer assignment. The applicant authorizes investigation of all information contained in this application, on the resume, and/or provided during any interview as may be deemed necessary by DRC. The applicant also authorizes current and previous employers or references to release to DRC any and all information concerning work history and background, past volunteer experience and background, including but not limited to performance, disciplinary and attendance records, etc. to consider this application for placement as a DRC volunteer. If the applicant is currently under 18 years old, the guardian must also sign and provide a daytime phone number, indicating acknowledgement, agreement and consent with all of the above statements.

Applicant Signature: ___________________________________  Date:____________________

Guardian Signature: ___________________________________  Phone: ___________________