Volunteer

Docents are volunteer educators. They work on Zoo grounds with visitors of all ages, helping them to connect with wildlife and to learn about the Zoo. Docents must be 18 years of age or older and must attend an 8-week training course, offered once per year. Docents do not work with zoo keepers, exhibit animals, or behind the scenes.

• They may take artifacts—including bones, feathers, and pictures—to an exhibit and use those props to engage Zoo guests in conversation.
• They may patrol the Zoo answering guests’ questions, or may work in the Information Booth in the front plaza.
• They may assist with special events in the Zoo.
• Specially trained docents may handle small demonstration animals for educational presentations.
• They may conduct a slide show or story time in our education building.

Please call Carrie at 520-837-8083, or email carrie.dean@tucsonaz.gov, with questions about the docent program. The 2016 class has been filled, Applications for 2017 class will be available in January. 

Teen volunteers are volunteer educators. They work on Zoo grounds, helping to inspire visitors of all ages about the Zoo’s animals, and about protecting wildlife. Teen volunteers may be 13-17 years old and must attend an intensive training course, offered once per year at the end of May. Teen volunteers must be willing to commit to volunteering for at least 6 hours per month, for at least one year after training is completed. Teen volunteers do not work with Zoo Keepers or behind the scenes.

• They may take artifacts—including bones, feathers, and pictures—to an exhibit and use those props to engage Zoo guests in conversation.
• They may facilitate a craft or activity table for kids in the Zoo.
• They may patrol the Zoo answering guests’ questions.
• They may assist with special events in the Zoo.
• Applications are accepted January-March of each year

The 2016 class has been filled, Applications for 2017 class will be available in January. 

Interested in Conservation and Wildlife? 

Visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/RPZWAM/ and ask to join the Reid Park Zoo’s Wildlife Awareness Movement! Through this teens only group, you will receive updates about the Zoo’s animals, while communicating with other teens about climate change and other important issues facing animals. You can inspire and be inspired to take action to help save habitats and reduce your carbon footprint. Together we can make a difference!

This position is for currently enrolled students, in good standing, at an accredited college or university only. College Interns work behind-the-scenes with a Zoo Keeper for one semester and can earn up to 3 credit units from their college. Juniors and seniors from an accredited college or university will be given priority over other applicants.  The spring and fall internships consist of two workdays a week from 7:30am-12:30pm.  Summer internships are from 6:30am -11:30am and require three workdays a week due to the shorter semester.  Interns work on set days which may include weekend days. Interns do NOT work with primates or elephants.

• They may clean animal exhibits, feed and enrich animals.
• They may record behavioral observations of animals.
• They may assist Zoo Keepers in other routine tasks.

Please call Carrie at 520-837-8083, or email carrie.dean@tucsonaz.gov, with questions about the College Intern program.  Fall 2016 interns have been selected.  We are currently accepting applications for the Spring and Summer 2017 semesters.  Applications are due by September 30, 2016 to be considered for the Spring or Summer 2017 semesters.
Volunteer Today!

The deadline to apply for this position is Sept. 30, 2016.

Job Description

The Elephant Care Center Volunteer position at Reid Park Zoo provides an opportunity for individuals to shadow and work side-by-side with an elephant keeper.  Volunteering in the elephant care facility gives volunteers the opportunity to learn how zoos care for and enrich elephants.  While helping, volunteers will learn about elephant natural history, anatomy, social hierarchies, positive reinforcement training, and about our individual animals.  While cleaning and physical labor are the main functions of this volunteer position, volunteers will participate in many aspects of elephant care.

Volunteers can expect to do some or all of the following:

• Help clean exhibit and elephant care facility
• Assist with routine maintenance of exhibits (watering mud wallows)
• Moving or building log piles
• Exchange and stuff toys with designated food items
• Make enrichment items
• Assist with diet organization and stocking
• Set out feed for animals in paddocks and barn
• Observe elephants and document for health, social interactions, and enrichment use
• Assist with crowd control at elephant training sessions
• Assist with tool clean up
• Sort and stack browse

Volunteers will NOT work directly with the elephants.  From a safe distance (no exceptions), volunteers will have the opportunity to observe keepers working with elephants.

Hours

Volunteers will track their hours.  The work schedule is from 6:30am until 11:30am during summer months (June-September) and 7:30am until 12:30pm in the non-summer months (October-May). Ideally, volunteers will work 2 mornings a week, with a minimum of 1 day a week.  The Zoo is a 7 day a week operation and therefore volunteers can work weekdays and/or weekends.  The commitment is for a minimum of 6 months.

Qualifications

The Elephant Volunteer position is a physically and mentally demanding job.  Applicants must be able to do the following to be considered for the position:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Work 1-2 mornings a week with only 1 break in the morning
• Commit to a 6 month time period with no more than 2 absences
• Be able to work on your feet all morning
• Repetitive lifting of a minimum of 40 pounds
• Be able to work in summer heat and winter cold (outdoor conditions)
• Be able to work around flies, mosquitoes, and other insects
• Be able to follow directions well
• Remember task routine from one week to the next
• Get along with a team of keepers
• Be able to work in a fast paced environment

Please call Carrie at 520-837-8083, or email carrie.dean@tucsonaz.gov, with questions about this position We are currently accepting applications for a very limited time. Applications are due by September 30, 2016 to be considered.
Volunteer Today!

SORRY, THE ZOO IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THESE POSITIONS

Events

RPZS holds several events throughout the year including Summer Safari, I Do at the Zoo, ZOOcson, Woo at the Zoo, Mother’s Day, etc.  In addition, we also host weddings, corporate parties and meetings.  We need assistance in the following areas:

• ZOOcson:  Assist with soliciting sponsors and auction items, helping with set-up the day of event, volunteering the night of the event
• Game Attendants for events such as Summer Safari: Duties include explaining game instructions, collecting tickets, handing out prizes
• Gate Attendant for events and rentals: Duties include watching the gate, checking Membership cards, directing guests and vendors, counting number of attendees, putting wristbands on visitors
• Photographer: Taking pictures of events, asking guests to sign a media release form.
• Set Up for events and rentals: Placing linen on tables, putting signs up, setting up chairs, other small set up needs.
• Face Painting at events such as Summer Safari: Painting faces and hands, may include taking tickets in exchange for a face painting
• Line Control: Directing guests to the correct line, checking membership cards, standing in as “end of the line indicator” (i.e. the event ends in 30 minutes; no more people allowed in line).
• Representation at information tables at area fairs, events, etc.
• Office duties:  Help with mailings, typing spreadsheets, shredding, cutting flyers, sorting documents, filing, making copies, etc.
• Miscellaneous duties: include handing out drinking water to staff, volunteers, and vendors; counting tickets; keeping an eye on children in jumping castles; handing out flyers; distributing materials throughout the Zoo; coordinating with a DJ for announcements; helping with vendor move in by providing directions/manning gate; answering guest questions; and much more!

Membership

• Membership Table:  Assisting at the Zoo front gate by providing information on membership to customers

 Guest Services

• Group reservation check in coordinator:  Greets group at bus stop, leads group to designated staging area, counts people in group by adult and child, leads teacher/point person to cashier for check in and make payment for entire group, direct group to designated gate for entry.

SORRY, THE ZOO IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THESE POSITIONS

SORRY, THE ZOO IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION

Information Booth Volunteers work in the information booth in the front plaza of the Zoo, selling coloring posters and answering guests’ questions.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, and if accepted into the program, volunteers must attend a four-hour training course, and commit to volunteer two, four-hour sessions or one, eight-hour session per week.  Information Booth Volunteers do not work with any Zoo animals.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Carrie at 520-837-8083 or carrie.dean@tucsonaz.gov.