Volunteer

Length and Time Commitment: Interns are assigned on a semester basis and must complete 135 hours per semester.  Intern shifts start times and durations, and schedules are flexible and will be coordinated with the Animal Behavior and Well-Being Program Leader.

Reports to:
Animal Behavior and Well-Being Program Leader

Learning Outcomes: 

• Improve your animal behavioral observation skills and become proficient in using the Zoo Monitor database
• Gain experience formulating questions to gain important insights into animal wellbeing
• Participate in seminars and lectures on animal care, animal welfare, biology, conservation, and training
• Become experienced in connecting people and animals to educate Zoo guests on a variety of animal, conservation, and environmental topics.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a college or university
• Able to interact in a positive manner with all guests, volunteers, staff, and animals
• Able to follow instructions and maintain a high quantity and quality of work
• Able to work outdoors
• Able to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Able to lift and bend repeatedly
• General knowledge of tools is recommended
• Previous exotic animal experience a plus
• Must provide proof you have received the most recent COVID-19 booster
• Must provide proof of a current, negative TB test (at the intern’s expense)

Training: Animal Well-Being Interns must complete an orientation covering Reid Park Zoo history, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, safety, and internship guidelines prior to their first day, and will receive additional on-the-job training, from the Animal Behavior and Well-Being Program Leader, during their internship.

Dress Code: Animal Well-Being Interns must wear the assigned Reid Park Zoo intern t-shirt, jeans, work pants, or shorts (must be fingertip length), closed-toe and closed-heel shoes, and a name tag. Colognes, perfumes, and strong-smelling lotions are not allowed, and minimal jewelry is recommended.

Reports to: Animal Care Staff Mentor

Learning Outcomes: 

• Learn how to create a safe, clean, and enriching environments for the animals.
• Increase your knowledge of animal nutrition, preparation, and feeding.
• Gain experience creating enrichment and completing basic maintenance tasks.
• Improve your animal behavioral observation skills to assist with training and animal wellbeing
• Become experienced in connecting people and animals to educate Zoo guests on a variety of animal, conservation, and environmental topics.

Length and Time Commitment: Interns are assigned on a semester basis and must complete 135 hours per semester.  Intern shifts are two, 5-hour days per week during the fall and spring semesters and three, 5-hour days per week for the summer semester.  Shifts start at 7:30am October through May and 6:30am June through September.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a college or university
• Able to interact in a positive manner with all guests, volunteers, staff, and animals
• Able to follow instructions and maintain a high quantity and quality of work
• Able to work outdoors
• Able to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Able to lift and bend repeatedly
• General knowledge of tools is recommended
• Previous exotic animal experience a plus
• Must provide proof you have received the most recent COVID-19 booster
• Must provide proof of a current, negative TB test (at the intern’s expense)

Training: Animal Care Interns must complete an orientation covering Reid Park Zoo history, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, safety, and internship guidelines prior to their first day, and will receive additional on-the-job training, from Animal Care Staff, during their internship.

Dress Code: Animal Care Interns must wear the assigned Reid Park Zoo intern t-shirt, jeans, work pants, or shorts (must be fingertip length), closed-toe and closed-heel shoes, and a name tag. Colognes, perfumes, and strong-smelling lotions are not allowed, and minimal jewelry is recommended.

Reports to: Volunteer Program Supervisor and Coordinator

Learning Outcomes:

• Become experienced in connecting people and animals to educate Zoo guests on a variety of animal, conservation, and environmental topics.
• Develop skills to interact with guests of all ages in a fun and educational way.
• Participate in special events and activities to encourage both children and adults to think about their place in the natural world and their role in conservation.
• Advance your training to learn how to handle the ambassador animals for presentations (optional and eligible after six months of active status and additional training).
• After your first year of volunteering, share your knowledge and passion for Reid Park Zoo by becoming a Docent Mentor (optional).
• Learn about conservation projects around the world and help raise awareness to protect wild animals and wild places.

Length and Time Commitment: Docents are required to volunteer a minimum of 100 hours each year on Zoo grounds and commit to volunteer for a minimum of one year. Docents must complete and additional 20 hours of continuing education each year.

Qualifications, Physical Demands, Working Conditions:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Enjoy interacting with people with diverse ages, backgrounds, abilities, etc.
• Willing to learn and develop new skills
• Passionate about spreading Reid Park Zoo’s conservation message of protecting wild animals and wild places
• Able to interact in a positive manner with all guests, volunteers, staff, and animals
• Able to follow the Zoo’s policies, including safety protocol

Training: Docent training takes place once a year and consists of an orientation, shadowing Docent Mentors (June-July), and a 11-session training class on Saturdays and Sundays in August and September. On the last day of class, all volunteers are required to complete a written exam and interpret an animal artifact station for Zoo guests.  Volunteer training covers topics such as conservation, species-specific natural history, interpretation techniques, Reid Park Zoo operations, safety procedures, and customer service and experience. Docent volunteers receive a name tag and the Docent Handbook, and the Volunteer Program Policies & Procedures Manual (electronic) that contains all volunteer and Zoo protocols. A $50 training fee is due on the first day of class to cover training materials.

Dress Code: Docents must wear a red or white polo shirt, khaki pants, shorts, or skirts (shorts and skirt must be fingertip length), closed-toe and heel shoes, and a name tag. Colognes, perfumes, and strong-smelling lotions are not allowed, and minimal jewelry is recommended. Uniforms are not provided by the Zoo and must be purchased by the volunteer.

Reports to: Volunteer Program Coordinator

Learning Outcomes:

• Become an expert on connecting people and animals to educate Zoo guests on a variety of animal, conservation, and environmental topics.
• Develop skills to interact with guests of all ages in a fun and educational way.
• Participate in special events and activities to encourage both children and adults to think about their place in the natural world and their role in conservation.
• Progress to higher levels of the Zoo Crew and gain opportunities to mentor your peers and how to handle the ambassador animals for presentations.
• Learn about conservation projects around the world and help raise money to protect wild animals and wild places.

Length and Time Commitment: Zoo Crew volunteers must complete six hours of volunteering every month and assist with at least one special event per one-year period. After one year, Zoo Crew volunteers must be invited back to continue in the program.

Requirements:

• Must be between entering 9^th grade through entering 12^th grade
• Enjoy interacting with diverse age groups
• Willing to learn and develop new skills
• Passionate about spreading Reid Park Zoo’s conservation message of protecting wild animals and wild places
• Able to interact in a positive manner with all guests, volunteers, staff, and animals

Training: Zoo Crew training takes place once a year and teens are required to attend all four days of class. The 2025 training is scheduled for May 29th – June 1st (May 29th – 31st 8a-3p and June 1st 8a-11a). On the last day of class, all volunteers are required to pass a take home exam and interpret an animal artifact station for staff.  Volunteer training covers topics such as conservation, species-specific natural history, interpretation techniques, Reid Park Zoo operations, safety procedures, and customer service and experience. Zoo Crew volunteers also receive the Zoo Crew Handbook that contains all volunteer and Zoo protocols. A $50 training fee is due on the first day of class.

Dress Code: Zoo Crew volunteers must wear the assigned teal or lavender Zoo Crew t-shirt, khaki pants, shorts, or skirts (shorts and skirt must be fingertip length), closed-toe and heel shoes, and a name tag.  Colognes, perfumes, and strong-smelling lotions are not allowed, and minimal jewelry is recommended.

Reports to: Volunteer Program Coordinator

Learning Outcomes:

• Become an expert on connecting people and animals to educate Zoo guests on a variety of animal, conservation, and environmental topics.
• Develop skills to interact with guests of all ages in a fun and educational way.
• Participate in special events and activities to encourage both children and adults to think about their place in the natural world and their role in conservation.
• Learn about conservation projects around the world to encourage guests to protect wild animals and wild places.

Length and Time Commitment: Community Engagement volunteers must volunteer for three hours every month, and complete five continuing education units during their six-month commitment. After six months Community Engagement volunteers must be invited back to continue in the program.

Requirements:

• Adults must be at least 18 years of age and children at least 11 years of age
• Both the volunteer and accompanying adult must attend the training
• Enjoy interacting with diverse age groups
• Willing to learn and develop new skills
• Passionate about spreading Reid Park Zoo’s conservation message of protecting wild animals and wild places
• Able to interact in a positive manner with all guests, volunteers, staff, and animals

Training: Community Engagement training takes place twice a year over a two-day period and both the volunteer and accompanying adult are required to attend the training. Volunteer training covers topics such as conservation, interpretation techniques, Reid Park Zoo operations, safety procedures, and customer service and experience. Community Engagement volunteers also receive the Community Engagement Handbook that contains all volunteer and Zoo protocols. A $50 training fee is due on the first day of class.

Dress Code: Community Engagement volunteers must wear the assigned Community Engagement t-shirt, khaki pants, shorts, or skirts (shorts and skirt must be fingertip length), closed-toe and heel shoes, and a name tag. Colognes, perfumes, and strong-smelling lotions are not allowed, and minimal jewelry is recommended. Accompanying adults must either wear Zoo uniform listed above or wear business casual attire.