Volunteer
Positions:
Position
Title: ANIMAL UNIT VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Animal
unit volunteers support animal management staff in preparation
of diets, cleaning of exhibit spaces, assisting keepers
in approved activities, and creating environmental enrichment
items for the collection. Environmental enrichment provides
captive animals with stimuli necessary for psychological
and physical well being.
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift a week, any day Monday thru Sunday, typically
from either 8am-Noon or 1pm-5pm. Training takes place on
the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, available for 4 hours per week on a regular
schedule for a minimum of 6 months, ability to closely follow
instructions, physically capable to perform strenuous work.
*NOTE: There
is no contact with the animals, although volunteers work
in close proximity and can study their behavior. The majority
of animal unit volunteer shifts are on weekday mornings.
Position
Title: CONTACT AREA VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Contact
area volunteers provide zoo visitors with a hands-on animal
experience in our Family Farm. They have the opportunity
to witness the wonder of discovery and teach visitors about
unusual breeds of farm animals.
Typical Commitment: May
through September: one four-hour shift per week, morning
or afternoon.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 14 years, and completion of a training program.
Training takes place in spring.
Position
Title: DOCENT
Position Description: Docents
are volunteer educators who present educational programs
to zoo visitors. They play an integral role in communicating
the conservation and education goals of the zoo. Docents
conduct programs for the public, school groups, present
discovery boxes, help keepers with animal watches, lead
tours for people of all ages, provide animal encounters
for visitors and assist with special events such as ZooTunes,
Jungle Party and Bunny Bounce.
Typical Commitment: Two
shifts per month on any day. Scheduling is flexible. Training
usually takes place over a three - four month period.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, available to volunteer 72 hours per year,
applicant must volunteer as a zoo ambassador
for at least three months before applying to the docent program.
Position
Title: GARDENER VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Gardener
volunteers assist the horticulture staff with the cultivation
and maintenance of a diverse collection of flowers, shrubs,
and trees. The zoo incorporates many unusual species of
plants to represent the natural habitat of animals in the
exhibits. This position offers an opportunity for plant
enthusiasts to work with rare flora (and sometimes in close
proximity to rare fauna!).
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift per week from 8am-Noon. Training takes place
on the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years and physical ability to perform strenuous work
under all weather conditions.
Position
Title: ROSE GARDENER VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Rose
Gardener volunteers assist the Rose Garden staff with
the cultivation and maintenance of this All-America Rose
Selections test site (AARS). The AARS garden encompasses
2.5 acres and contains over 280 varieties of roses. Their
varying growing habits are highlighted by the formal
architectural design and offer an unparalleled opportunity
for horticulture enthusiasts.
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift between Monday and Friday from 8am-Noon.
Training takes place on the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years and physical ability to perform strenuous
work under all weather conditions. Minimum commitment of
5 months is required.
Position
Title: OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Office
volunteers assist with filing, word processing, photocopying
and reception. This position provides a unique behind-the-scenes
view of how our zoo functions (without much of the strenuous
activity of other volunteer positions!) Volunteers in
this capacity work in zoo administration, education,
and several animal units throughout the zoo.
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift between Monday and Friday from 8am-Noon.
Training takes place on the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, available on a regularly scheduled basis
during the week, basic office skills, and computer experience
preferred.
Position
Title: ZOOMAZIUM GUIDE
Position Description: Zoomazium
guides help the zoo’s younger visitors explore
the play and learning activities taking place in a
unique, indoor/outdoor nature play space, Zoomazium,
that opened in May 2006. As a guide, you will greet
Zoomazium visitors, provide children and their caregivers
with an orientation to Zoomazium, encourage exploration
and safe play, assist with costume programs, art and
crafts, games and other activities.
Typical Commitment: One
four-hour shift a week, morning or afternoon,
any day Monday thru Friday.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, available for 4 hours per week on
a regular schedule for a minimum of 6 months, ability
to closely follow instructions, and enjoy working with
young children ages birth to eight.
Position
Title: ZOO AMBASSADOR
Position Description: Zoo
ambassadors help visitors enjoy their time at the zoo
through the following activities: Welcoming visitors
and making suggestions for a meaningful and fun zoo
visit; roaming through the zoo, helping visitors who
need directions also answering questions along the
way; and letting visitors know about special programs
taking place-from Keeper Talks to Animal Encounters.
Ambassadors also help at special events throughout
the year, from the summer "Zoo Tunes" concert
series to the Jungle Party fundraiser.
Typical Commitment: Two
shifts per month on any day morning or afternoon. Scheduling
is flexible. Trainings usually take place in spring
and summer.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, completion of a 20-hour training
course, commitment of 72 hours per year, strong communication
skills, and enthusiasm for Woodland Park Zoo and
it's conservation mission.
Position Title: ZOOSTORE VOLUNTEER
Position Description: ZooStore volunteers assist in various operations of the store. All proceeds of the store benefit the zoo. Many of the products sold help to support conservation projects abroad. As a volunteer you will greet visitors, perform cashier duties, explain the products for sale, and assist with stock merchandise.
Typical Commitment: One four-hour shift a week.
Requirements: Minimum age of 18 years, available for 4-hours per week on a regular schedule for a minimum of 6 months, ability to closely follow instructions, and enjoy working in a retail environment. Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 10 pounds. Training takes place on the job.
Animal
Health Volunteers:
*NOTE: Openings in the Animal Health Department are infrequent.
Position
Title: VETERINARY TECHNICIAN VOLUNTEER
Notice: To
apply for this position, you need to be a licensed veterinary
technician or nurse in the State of Washington.
Position Description: Veterinary
technician volunteers assist technicians in all aspects
of animal health care. This position provides an opportunity
for individuals working within veterinary medicine to acquire
experience with exotic animal care.
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift between Monday and Friday from 8am-Noon.
Training takes place on the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, currently a licensed veterinary
technician or nurse; or enrolled in a program for
same; or currently employed in a veterinary hospital
as a technician or nurse.
Position
Title: VETERINARY CLERICAL VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Veterinary
clerical volunteers assist the Animal Health Department
with upkeep and maintenance of medical records and filing.
This position is administrative only and does not involve
any contact with animals or veterinary procedures. It does
offer a chance for a chance to be part of the veterinary
medicine support in a superlative zoo.
Typical Commitment: One
four hour shift between Monday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. Training takes place on the job.
Requirements: Minimum
age of 18 years, availability on a regularly scheduled
basis, basic office skills- computer knowledge,
attention to detail and pleasant telephone manner.
Veterinary or medical skills are not required,
just an interest in being a part of WPZ's Animal
Health Department. Teen
Program:
Position
Title: ZOO CORPS VOLUNTEER
Position Description: Zoo
Corps is a three-tiered volunteer program for teens
14-18 years old in the 9th -12th grades (or equivalent)
focused on service learning and teen development through
wildlife and conservation education and service. Following
a broad-based training course covering the history
and mission of the zoo, bioclimatic zones, classification
basics, taxonomy, conservation, interpretation, and
customer service, teens work with staff and volunteers
throughout the zoo for service hours. As members of
the Zoo Corps "team," teens also participate
in monthly meetings, special events, and enrichment
programming in a supportive learning environment.
Typical Commitment: Teens
must provide at least 30 hours of service to the
zoo from May through August. Training takes
place March-May on weekends.
Requirements: Age
range is 14-18 years of age and teens must be
in 9th through 12th grade or equivalent, complete
a mandatory nine-week training program, four hours
per week (Saturday afternoons March - May).
To
Apply For Zoo Corps: Do not submit the Online Application
Form here. Instead, go directly to the Zoo
Corps page and follow the instructions.
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