Adult Volunteer - Niabi Zoo

What do Volunteers do at the Zoo?

Adult Volunteers play an important role in many areas at Niabi Zoo. These valuable individuals and groups can help educate zoo guests, assist zoo keepers, prepare enrichment items for our animals, care for plants, and participate at special events. To see our volunteer positions, scroll to the bottom of the page to read more.

Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteer positions typically require a regular time commitment of once per week or every other week, depending on the position. Volunteering at the zoo requires developing a unique set of skills through regular practice and thus a regular commitment.

Adults (18 and older) need to complete a volunteer application and may attend a Volunteer Information Session to learn further details about the process of volunteering, the time commitment, expectations, requirements and descriptions of volunteer positions.

For the safety of our animals, staff, guests, and volunteers, in order to participate in the volunteer program, all volunteer candidates must provide proof of vaccination for Covid-19.

To be considered for our Adult Volunteer Program in the future, please complete the on-line application by clicking on the button below or at the bottom of the page after the position descriptions.

Interview Process

All qualified applicants will be scheduled for an interview. Applicants will receive an email for an interview to take place on a convenient date and time. Interviews may be video-based or in-person and will last approximately 30 minutes. Selection for the program is based on the candidate’s responses in the interview.

Program Fee

There is a fee to cover the purchase of the Volunteer uniform shirt and training costs. The $50 fee for this program is due on the first day of training and is non-refundable.

Training

In order to develop the skills required and feel confident in one’s abilities, training and practice is required. All selected candidates will participate in on-line training as well as in-person sessions. Some training will be “learn-as-you-go” such as when training with the Zookeepers for Animal Care positions. Naturalist training requires the most training and practice to be proficient in speaking with the public about the animals. The extent of training will be dependent on the position for which the volunteer is selected.

Volunteer Opportunities

Zoo Naturalist

Help educate zoo guests about conservation, animal behavior, and nature. Naturalist attend training on zoo history, interpretation skills , and receive detailed information on all animal areas of the zoo. Whether in front of an animal habitat or leading a tour, these positions are essential to connecting people to animals and nature.

Animal Care

Assist zookeepers in maintaining animal habitats, preparing animal diets, and providing behavioral enrichment. Be prepared to get dirty and work in all weather conditions. Since the well being of our animals is dependent on our animal care staff, volunteers in this area must be extremely dependable.

Animal Behavior Observer

An important function in maintaining good animal welfare is the observation of animals and their behavior to identify personality traits, evaluate animal health, see how enrichment encourages natural behavior, and to provide even better care for the animals.

Education

Assist our conservation educators at zoo camps, classes, and field trips by helping to prepare activities and supervise children. Help set up and operate activity stations at education events as well as oversee guest participation.

Enrichment

One of the most important ways to stimulate natural behaviors in animals is by providing enrichment. Help create behavioral and environmental enrichment devices at the Niabi Enrichment Supply & Task Center, a.k.a. the NEST. Duties may include painting, drawing, cutting, pasting, braiding, and assembling items to be given to our animals.

Horticulture

Like gardening? Get down in the dirt to help us maintain our flower beds, pollinator gardens and planting areas. Duties include routine plant care, such as watering, pruning, weeding, planting, and transplanting. Horticulture volunteers should be prepared to work in all weather conditions.

Special Events

Join us to help run activities at special events such as Pints for Preservation, Boo at the Zoo, Endangered Species Day, Earth Day, Snow Leopard Day, World Giraffe Day, Pollinator Day, and many more!

To apply, click below:

Volunteer Application Form