Volunteer at the Zoo

Experience the Zoo in a way like never before… VOLUNTEER!

Please complete the online application and you will be contacted regarding scheduled orientation dates.

The Zoo offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to accommodate varied interest, abilities and time commitments. Regardless if you want to volunteer for a day, over the summer or for a lifetime… there is something for everyone at the NC Zoo!

Volunteers are an essential part of the NC Zoo. Their time, skills, knowledge and expertise compliment and add value to the efforts of the organization, helping the Zoo meet its mission and better serve the community. The Zoo is fortunate to have a diverse and unique assembly of individuals, who are committed to making a difference! All Volunteers must attend basic orientation.

To ensure the NC Zoo is a safe place for children, families, employees and Volunteers, all applicants are searched on the National Sex Offenders Public Registry. Applicants must provide a photo ID at the time of orientation.

Now Recruiting for the 2008 Volunteer Season!

Please complete a volunteer application for more information
and orientation dates.

EXHIBIT INTERPRETER VOLUNTEERS/DOCENTS are stationed at various exhibits throughout the Zoo and interact with visitors to provide information regarding natural history and the conservation of the world’s wildlife. Interpreters utilize the Zoo’s living collection to increase visitor awareness of conservation issues and the effects of human actions on the environment.

Time Commitments: Seasonal opportunity, April – October, Sunday – Saturday

One shift per week is requested, with a minimum of two shifts per month.
Shifts are 9:30am-2:30pm per week.
Summer/Short-term opportunities are available May – September. Volunteers must commit to one shift per week, for a minimum of nine consecutive weeks and 90 service hours (including training)

Required Skills: An interest in conservation, plants, and animals is desirable.
Volunteers should be comfortable:

Initiating interactions with visitors of all ages and should have experience in public speaking either formally or informally (e.g. teacher, scout leader, Y instructor, camp counselor, any public relations field, or student in parks & recreation or education).
Working independently
Standing for long periods of time and able to tolerate temperature extremes
Carefully handling animal artifacts such as hides, skulls, bones, eggs, feathers, etc.

Training: Volunteers must complete formal classroom training prior to beginning official duties.
Training will:

Provide a clear understanding of the Zoo’s mission; introduce ecology and how all things are connected, showing human influences
Demonstrate non/effective communication skills
Teach Volunteers how to incorporate conservation messages into programs at exhibit sites

KIDZONE VOLUNTEERS facilitate play experiences that help foster a love of nature. This exhibit area is a distinctive place where children immerse themselves in a variety of experiences with and within the natural world. Daily programs encourage children to discover plants, animals, butterflies and bees in a close-up setting. Imaginations are allowed to run free as children create animal art, animal enrichments and express themselves through dramatic play using costumes and animal props.

Time Commitments: April – October, Thursday – Sunday.

A time commitment of one shift per week (9am-2pm or 11am-4pm) is requested, with a minimum requirement of two shifts per month.

Although KidZone is open daily to visitors, Volunteers are only needed Thursday – Sunday when visitation is greatest.
Summer or short-term Volunteers must commit to one shift per week for a minimum of nine consecutive weeks and 90 service hours (including training).

Required Skills: Experience working with children is desirable.

Volunteers must be comfortable initiating interactions with children and should have experience in public speaking either formally or informally (e.g. teacher, scout leader, Y instructor, camp counselor, any public relations field, or student in parks & recreation or education).
Volunteers must be patient, fun-loving, energetic, flexible and creative, with a sincere interest in working with kids of all ages and learning about the natural world.
Volunteers must be able to stand for extended intervals of time and be able to tolerate temperature extremes.
Training: Volunteers must complete required training classes. Training will introduce Volunteers to how children learn and the concepts of interactive teaching and co-operative learning.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION VOLUNTEERS provide routine daily care for injured and orphaned native wildlife at the Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, until they are ready for release back into the wild. Volunteer duties include preparation of diets, cleaning cages, admitting patients, feeding animals, answering phones and record keeping. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist with medical tasks such as administering medications, physical therapy, assisting with ex-rays and surgeries, as well, perform treatments as ordered by Veterinary staff. In addition, Volunteers may participate in special projects, tours, training, cage building and animal rescues.

Time Commitments: Year-round opportunity. April – November is peak season for animal care.

Volunteers are required to serve a minimum of 90 hours and commit to two, four-hour shifts each month
During the slower months of December – February, Volunteers should maintain at least one four-hour shift each month.
Summer only (May – September) Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 90 hours to be completed in no less than a 6 week period of time. Volunteers determine individual monthly availability.
Interns must commit to a minimum of eight weeks, 120 hours and one, eight-hour shift each week.

Required Skills: Experience in animal care is helpful.

Volunteers must be rabies vaccinated to care for or handle mammals. Volunteers who are not vaccinated may care for birds and reptiles, and perform all other responsibilities.
Volunteers must be able to lift a minimum of 15lbs. and be able to stand for periods of at least 30 minute intervals.
Volunteers must be able to read, follow instructions and perform simple calculations.
Dependable transportation is a must.
Children may volunteer at the Wildlife Rehab Center at the age of 12, with a parent Volunteer. Youth may volunteer independently at age 16 with parental consent, pending approval from the Center’s Supervisor.
This position may not be suitable for individuals who are immune suppressed.

Training:

Volunteers must complete formal training sessions required for Wildlife Rehab Center Volunteers, prior to beginning volunteer duties and responsibilities.
Volunteers should begin duties within a month a completing training.

ZOO HOST VOLUNTEERS are front-line members of the Zoo and greet visitors to provide information on how to best visit the Park; locate exhibits; use transport system; locate available services; obtain medical assistance; answer questions; and provide customer feedback to Visitor Services.

Time Commitments: April – October. Sunday – Saturday, with the greatest need on Saturdays.

A time commitment of two shifts per month is required
Shifts are 9am – 1pm
The greatest need for Zoo Host Volunteers is on Saturdays during the months of April, June and October

Required Skills:

Volunteers should posses good oral communication skills
Volunteers should posses excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with the public
Volunteers should be capable of walking/standing for extended periods and able to tolerate temperature extremes
Volunteers should be comfortable helping resolve customer problems/satisfaction.

Training Provided: Volunteers should complete training provided by Visitor Services which includes answers to the Zoo’s most commonly asked questions.
Zoo Host Volunteers are not trained to interpret the Zoo’s plant and animal collections.

DOES YOUR GROUP BELONG IN THE ZOO? There are many exciting project based opportunities for businesses, organizations, sororities, fraternities, clubs, school groups and scouts. Possible service projects include hosting a special event (i.e. Boo at the Zoo, Earth Day, Teddy Bear Fair, etc.), small exhibit construction, painting, landscaping, mulching, weeding, washing trams, trash pick-up, etc. Please contact the Volunteer Office at 336.879.7712 for more information. Request will be arranged on an as needed basis.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Browse Garden
Butterfly Garden
Animal Watch
Retail
Research (limited availability)

Interested in becoming a Zoo Volunteer? Fill out our online volunteer application. (Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.)
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.

The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.

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