The last opportunity to sign up as an Exhibit Interpreter is April 27.

If you miss the cut-off date, please consider volunteering in an alternate area until training is offered again in the next year.

Time Commitments:  April – October, Sunday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Any variation from this schedule must be approved in advance.   

• One shift per week is requested with a minimum requirement of two shifts per month.
• Shifts are 10 a.m. -2 p.m., daily
• 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 begins in February of each year and will:

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

Interested in becoming a Zoo volunteer? Fill out our online volunteer application and you will be contacted.