Zoo Crew Volunteer
Make a difference...Volunteer!
Volunteers enrich the zoo with their enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication. They provide visitors with meaningful and engaging information about the Zoo's living collections in a way that conveys environmental messages relevant to peoples lives.
ZooScapers
As a ZooScaper volunteer, you will assist with projects
for the Horticultural Department. Projects range from light
physical duty such as planting, weeding, mulching, and
watering, to more physically challenging projects such as
moving deadfall and clearing brush. The ZooScapers
program requires 20 hours of volunteer work each year in
order to participate in the next year’s program. Various time commitments are available. Opportunities are available March-October and Youth volunteers 14 years and older may participate but must be accompanied by a parent volunteer at all times. |
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Special Events
Maybe you do not want to do the dirty work. Some Zoo volunteers only help with the special events: Reptile Day, Boo at the Zoo, Parade floats or Zooltide celebrations. You can be an important part of the fun! |
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Special Skilled Volunteers
Do you have a special skill or talent that could help the zoo, such as an artist, carpenter, welder, fundraiser? We can use you to.
Community Volunteers
The Washington Park Zoo also has volunteer opportunities for local schools, scouts and other organizations that wish to do one day or weekend group projects.
Zoo Aide Volunteers
We are always accepting new volunteers into the Zoo Aide program. This program has been designed to give volunteers the opportunity to experience a deeper involvement with the Zoo. They have the privilege to volunteer alongside Zoo staff throughout the Zoo and assist them with daily operation task, such as cleaning the petting barn area, diet preparation, grounds work and with special events. Zoo Aides have limited contact with the animals until they have completed 50 hours of volunteer time, then they are welcomed to apply for the Keepers Aide program.
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Time Requirement: Volunteers are permitted to make up their own time schedules - between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily but we have a minimum of 2 hours per shift.
Must work at least 20 hours a year to remain in "active" status.
Age Requirement: 16 years or older
Keeper Aide Volunteer
To qualify for this program you must either be a Zoo Aide who has completed 50 hours of experience time or have successfully completed the Keeper Internship Program.
This program allows qualified volunteers to have a more hands on experience assisting keepers with the cleaning, feeding, enrichment, maintenance of animal exhibits, zoo grounds and Educational interactions with Zoo guest. Keeper Aides work under the direct supervision of zookeepers and at times in close proximity to animals, so a current negative T.B reading is required. |
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Time Requirement: Keeper Aides are permitted to make up their own time schedules - between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, with a minimum of 2 hours per shift.
Must work at least 3o hours per year to remain in "active" status.
Age Requirement: 18 years or older
Keeper Internship
Keeper Internship candidates must plan to attend or currently be in college and working towards a degree in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or another related field. Interns work under the direct supervision of the zoo staff and a research paper is required to successfully complete the program. Interns are involved in various aspects of animal care, including daily husbandry, diet preparation and delivery, exhibit maintenance, behavioral enrichment preparation, animal observations, operant conditioning, and educational interactions with Zoo guests. There are three sessions throughout the year and program is limited to three to four students per session. Students are chosen based on the best applications. Since Intern’s work alongside keepers and have contact with the animals, they must provide the Zoo with a negative T.B. test reading before they can start the program. This is an experienced based position and is not paid.
Time Requirement: The internship term is 12 weeks with a minimum of 16 hours per week or 4 weeks with a minimum of 40 hours per week (schedules may be flexible based on the candidate's availability)
Age Requirement: 18 years or older
Please contact the zoo with any questions at (219) 873-1510.
Click here for Volunteer Application.
www.washingtonparkzoo.com
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