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Jan. 21-22: Due to inclement weather conditions, the Zoo will be closed for daytime admission. Read More
Adults

Adult Volunteers

Join the team of over 350 adult volunteers (18 and older) who contribute their time to help make the Zoo a great place to visit and to save animals in the wild! Our adult volunteers are offered training, support, invitations to special volunteer appreciation events, discounts on concessions and Zoo membership, and the opportunity to develop new skills and make new friends!

Available Volunteer Opportunities

All shifts are geared towards excellent guest service and engagement, and interaction with the public is an expectation of all volunteers. Below are different opportunities available. Volunteers can participate in as many opportunities as they qualify for. Please note that some of these options may require additional training and/or additional application processes after being accepted as a volunteer. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Our next application period for general volunteers will open in May 2025.

 

Greet Zoo guests, answer questions and help everyone to have an amazing day. Guest Engagement volunteers are vital to ensuring guests know where they are going and what there is to see.

Dive volunteers assist with habitat maintenance and guest engagement. Activities include scrubbing, vacuuming, and interpreting to guests while divers are on exhibit! Dive Volunteer recruitment occurs separately from general volunteer recruitment, and requires a minimum commitment of two dives per month if accepted into the program.

Assist staff with many events throughout the year. The opportunities can be during the day, weekends, or evenings, so they are sure to fit in many schedules! Volunteers can help with check-in, driving guests in electric carts through the Zoo to the event, lead fun activities, and much more.

Help Zoo staff supervise guest interactions at Giraffe Feeding and Children’s Zoo.

 

Engage guests with the individual animals at the Zoo, helping to create empathetic connections. Interpretive Volunteers receive additional training to message conservation initiatives and develop storytelling skills to help relate guests to animals at the Zoo. They are also integral in supporting Zoo staff during educational programs, including leading program activities.

Volunteer alongside our keeper staff and assist with habitat cleaning, diet preparation, and more! Volunteers must complete 30 hours of shifts before they are eligible to apply for open keeper aide positions. There is an additional application and interview process for this role.

Help our amazing Horticulture team maintain the lush landscape around the Zoo! This early morning opportunity can be physically strenuous, but rewarding. Horticulture volunteers assist with everything plants – weeding, mulching, planting, watering, etc.

Help departments across the Zoo with special projects – volunteers are called on to help with a variety of projects, including creating enrichment for our animals, putting new substrate into animal habitats, conducting animal behavior and/or visibility studies, and so much more!

Interested in Joining our Family?

Requirements

  • 60-hour annual commitment (with the exception of Dive Volunteers)
  • Dive Volunteers must have at least their open water certification from NAUI, PADI, or SDI
  • Due to background check procedures, you must be legally authorized to work in the USA
  • Ability to communicate in English (additional language fluency is a plus!)
  • A negative TB test result is required for volunteers wishing to assist as Dive Volunteers, Farm Interpreters, Petting Zoo, or Keeper Aides for certain teams
  • A desire to save animals in the wild and enthusiasm for interacting with Zoo guests
mother and daughter volunteer duo

How to Apply

  • Applications for Dive Volunteers are now closed! Applicants will be reviewed and contacted by our Dive Safety Officer.
    • Our next general volunteer recruitment period open in May 2025.
  • Selected candidates will be asked to attend interviews within 2 weeks after the application window closes.
  • Those being invited to join our program will need to:
    • sign and return required forms
    • successfully complete a background check
    • attend one of two required orientation days
    • complete required trainings following onboarding

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to volunteer?

Here is a summary of the fees you can expect:

  • Background Checks start at $37. If you have lived internationally or in specific states/counties, your fees might be higher. For an estimate of additional background check fees, click here.
  • TB tests are optional and done at your own cost and can vary depending on where you get them done. The average cost is $20-$30. TB tests can be obtained from your primary care physician or from most walk-in clinics.
    • TB tests are a requirement for volunteers who wish to assist as Farm Interpreters, Petting Zoo, or in certain Keeper Aide roles
  • There is a $30 fee for all new volunteers. This includes a uniform T-shirt, nametag, access badge, and parking pass.
    • We are a Zoo for All. If onboarding fees are a barrier to you volunteering your time with us, please contact volunteer@houstonzoo.org

Do you offer internships?

The Houston Zoo is committed to providing exceptional paid internship experience for undergraduate students who are historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine and animal science professions. Selected students spend 10 paid weeks of their summer working as a zookeeper, observing vet clinic keepers, participating in conservation activities, and more! The application process opens in November, concluding in December. Visit our careers page to access the application. 

We also have internship opportunities are available for veterinary students. For more information, please email our veterinary team at:  vetadmin@houstonzoo.org

How does scheduling work? Will I be able to fit volunteering in if I work full time?

Volunteers are asked to commit to 60 hours annually. However, shifts are self-scheduled and throughout the day so you can decide what fits best with your availability. We recommend doing 5-6 hours per month in order to stay on track for your commitment. Some keeper aide shifts require weekly attendance. There are evening opportunities, but they are not offered consistently and should not be relied upon to make your commitment.

What are typical shift times? Are there evening or weekend opportunities?

Most guest-facing shifts are built into 2-hour blocks throughout the day, starting at 9:00 a.m. until close. Keeper aides usually start around 7:00 a.m. and those shifts can be anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the animal department you select. There are evening events/shifts that can run as late as 12:30 a.m. however these are not offered on a regular basis. Volunteers can also opt for Zoo Lights shifts which are November – January and are typically 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

There are volunteer shifts available 7 days a week and volunteers are welcome to sign up for weekdays, weekends, or both!

Is everyone who applies accepted as a volunteer?

As amazing as it would be to accept assistance from every person who applies, we must limit the number of accepted volunteers for each recruitment cycle. However, you don’t need to have an animal background or to be an expert to volunteer! We look for people who are flexible, positive, and want to have fun, no matter what shift they are doing.

Volunteers willing to do a variety of shifts to help support the Zoo’s mission are what we need. Typically, volunteers who are only interested in one type of shift do not do well in our program. Enjoying interacting with Zoo guests is essential for you to thrive as a volunteer.

We also look at availability. If you are only available on Saturday evenings, there may not be enough opportunities to help you make your annual 60-hour commitment.

So, be honest in your application and tell us why you would be an amazing addition to our volunteer family!

Questions about our volunteer programs?
Contact us at volunteer@houstonzoo.org

For all questions regarding teen programs, contact teenprograms@houstonzoo.org

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