Recruitment Period
While we welcome applications to be submitted throughout the year, the Zoo on-boards Adult Volunteers in the early spring (March-April) and late summer (August). Interviews, selection, and training are scheduled during these periods.
Interview Process
All qualified applicants will be scheduled for an interview. Applicants will receive an email to schedule an interview on a convenient date and time. Interviews may be video-based or in-person and can last approximately 30-45 minutes. Selection for the program is based on the candidate’s responses in the interview.
Commitment
Volunteer positions typically require a regular time commitment of at least one 4-hour shift 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. As we will be providing training for each position, we ask for a commitment of 3-6 months to the volunteer program (3 months for college students, 6 months for other adults).
Program Fee
There is a fee to cover the purchase of the Volunteer uniform shirt, ID badge and training costs. The $50 fee for this program is due by or before 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 are required. All selected candidates will participate in online 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.