Palm Beach Zoo Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEER AT THE ZOO!
Volunteers make the zoo world go 'round. We depend on them for help with guest services, special events, animal care, and much, much more. If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities at the Palm Beach Zoo, join us on Saturday, November 6th for a special volunteer orientation. The program runs from 10 a.m. to noon and includes an informative presentation, introduction to various volunteer opportunities, and a guided tour of the zoo. If you decide to join our volunteer team, you will be expected to attend two Saturday morning sessions for on-the-job training. Volunteers must be over 16 years of age.
For more information or to register for the Saturday, November 6th program contact Sue Barton, Volunteer Manager, at (561) 533-0887, Ext. 239 or e-mail her at volunteers@palmbeachzoo.org.
If you are enthusiastic about wildlife and enjoy interacting with people of all ages then you belong in the Palm beach Zoo! (As a volunteer, that is!)
Please click on the links below for additional information regarding positions available within each department and their requirements.
All Palm Beach Zoo volunteers, regardless of departmental placement, must be able to work outside for long periods of time in the Florida heat, lift 50 lbs, follow written and/or verbal instructions, stand for extended periods of time, provide proof of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to start date, and commit to a minimum of 12 hours of service per month (except where noted.). Special Event volunteers are not required to provide TB screening and must commit to a minimum of one four-hour shift per event day. Be advised that the Palm Beach Zoo does not accept court-ordered community service.
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Guest Services & Education Programs
Guest Services and Educational Program Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks vital to overall zoo operations. The following positions are available within each department.
Guest Services
- Customer Service Information Booth
- Tropics Café Host/Hostess
- Concessions Assistant
- Gift Store Assistant
- Administrative/Clerical Support
- Marketing Assistant
Education Programs
- Workshop & Outreach Assistant
- Zoo Camp Assistant
- Wings Over Water (WOW) Bird Show & Contact Yard Assistant
- Exhibit/Bio-Fact Interpretation
- Upon successful completion of bio-fact training class.
- Animal Presenter
- Upon successful completion of required volunteer hours & animal handling training.
Please click here for a Guest Services & Education Programs Volunteer Application
Once your application is received, it will be reviewed and you will receive an invitation to attend the next scheduled Volunteer Orientation. Orientations are held approximately once a month. Depending on when your application is received, it may be a couple of weeks before you receive an invitation.
Special Event Volunteers
Special Event Volunteer opportunities are perfect for individuals as well as groups who are only able to spend one or two days volunteering their time. Special Event volunteers assist with arts & crafts supervision, crowd control, game & prize booths, event setup & breakdown, and help with entertainment & encounters. For a complete listing of upcoming special events, please click here.
Please click here for a Special Events Volunteer Application
Please be sure to write the name of the event you are interested in volunteering for on your application. Please note that all Special Event volunteers must arrive 30 minutes before the event is scheduled to begin and all applications should be submitted at least two (2) weeks before the event. Groups are encouraged to wear their association's T-shirts. Groups, including minors, must be accompanied by a group leader/chaperone while onsite.
Education Programs Internship (Unpaid)
The Palm Beach Zoo's mission is to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the natural world. Education interns assist in meeting this mission, while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Summer internships run May 31 – August 13, part-time or full-time.
Job Description: Gain teaching and animal-handling experience by assisting with the zoo's summer camp program. Present animal encounters to campers and to the public. Lead small groups of campers in zookeeping activities. Teach science lessons. Assist education staff in developing and evaluating new curriculum. Full-time interns will complete a term project.
Requirements: Applicants should be college students with at least one year completed, or recent college graduates. Good communication and public speaking skills required. Able to interact well with children, staff, volunteers and zoo guests. Self-motivated, reliable, up-beat, and able to work outdoors in hot/humid weather. If accepted, applicants must provide proof of a negative TB test within the last year, and must pass a drug screen and background check.
To Apply: Send resume and cover letter, proof of college enrollment, and one letter of recommendation to Palm Beach Zoo, Attn: Education Programs Manager, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
Docent Program Volunteers
Docents, or volunteer educators, are important members of our zoo family and bring to their role a deep interest in the natural world and a desire to share that knowledge with others. At the Palm Beach Zoo, Docents receive special educational training which prepares them to act as exhibit interpreters, to deliver talks about specific exhibits, display and explain animal biofacts, and provide zoo visitors with valuable wildlife, ecology, and conservation information. The zoo’s Docents also assist with conducting on- and off-site educational programs for children and adults on such topics as habitat loss and endangered species.
Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier, President of Conservation International, has said that, "The dedication and efforts of Docents are a major contribution to the education of society. Their volunteer services are exerting a real impact, particularly on this country's young people who show a growing interest in natural history and conservation." This could not be more true at the Palm Beach Zoo! Our dedicated Docents are the strength behind our conservation message and truly do allow us to fulfill our Mission to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the natural world.
The Palm Beach Zoo in partnership with Forest Hill Community High School's Adult Education Program offers the Volunteer Teaching Guide (aka Docent) Training Course during Fall and Spring semesters. This seven week course takes place weekly, on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Beach Zoo. For more information or for a Docent Application, please contact education@palmbeachzoo.org. Adults 18+ only, please.
Animal Care Volunteers
Additional Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older and commit to volunteering a minimum of 16 hours per month.
The Animal Care Volunteer Program is based on a Tier System. For more information regarding the Tier System, please see below.
Advancement to higher Volunteer levels will be based on attendance, work ethic, attitude and successful completion of a written exam(s). After each level is passed, a letter and certificate of advancement will be awarded. Each level will also have its own t-shirt to designate status.
Volunteer I: Must complete 80 hours of work in the commissary (assisting with diet preparation and cleaning), contact yard coverage, and assisting with show coverage. A total of 80 logged volunteer hours, the successful completion of a written exam, and a recommendation from their supervisor are required to move to the next level.
Volunteer II: Level II volunteers are able to begin level II work on pre-chosen animal runs under an animal department supervisor. A minimum of 1 hour per day is required in the commissary and/or with shows and informational talks. This level requires a minimum of 600 completed hours, successful completion of written exam (with a score of 85% or higher) and an animal department supervisor recommendation to qualify for advancement to the Volunteer III level.
Volunteer III: Level III Volunteers are able to perform more advanced work on animal runs under the assigned animal department supervisor. A minimum of 1,200 completed hours, successful completion of a written exam (with a score of 85% or higher) and an animal department supervisor recommendation will qualify for advancement to a Volunteer IV level.
Volunteer IV: Level IV volunteers have the opportunity to perform the most advanced volunteer keeper work under the assigned animal department supervisor. To maintain this highest level, a yearly written exam must be passed (with a score of 85% or higher) and written recommendation from a supervisor will be required.
Additional Information
Each volunteer must complete the requirements listed above in one discipline to qualify for an advanced tier status. A decision and commitment to a particular discipline will be required prior to the Volunteer II status being achieved. A volunteer may work on more than one discipline during the week but may only perform work on one specific discipline per day.
The available disciplines are:
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Animal department supervisors will designate specific tasks for each level of volunteer status for each discipline. Volunteers may achieve various levels on different disciplines. For instance, a Volunteer II may start on the Avian Run and achieve a level III status and then begin working as a Volunteer II on another discipline.
Each volunteer is required to wear their level-appropriate t-shirt color to designate their status during working hours. The first t-shirt will be provided to you before or on your start date. Additional shirts may be purchased for $6.00 each.
Please click here for an Animal Care Volunteer Application
Animal Hospital Volunteers
Animal Hospital Volunteers must have special qualifications that will provide assistance to the veterinary staff. These may include previous veterinary volunteer or work experience, training in veterinary or animal science, medical terminology/technology, medical records, or be qualified pre-veterinary, animal science, veterinary technology or veterinary medical college students. Volunteers must be available at least 4 hours/day, be 18 years of age or older, have basic computer skills, and a current TB test.
Each volunteer is required to wear their level-appropriate t-shirt color to designate their status during working hours. The first t-shirt will be provided to you before or on your start date. Additional shirts may be purchased for $6.00 each.
To Apply: Complete the volunteer application and send it, as well as a resume, cover letter identifying area of interest and reasons for volunteering to Cara Schweller, RVT. Mail: Animal Care Internship Program-Hospital, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach FL 33405, Email: cschweller@palmbeachzoo.org, Fax: (561) 833-7135.
Animal Care Internships
Animal care internships are offered in three sessions:
- Fall (September-December), deadline is July 1
- Spring (January-April), deadline is November 1
- Summer (May-August), deadline is March 1
Interviews for each session will begin after each deadline. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, must be able to work outside for long periods of time in Florida weather, and must provide proof of a negative TB test prior to the start of the internship. The internship requires a minimum of 360 hours to be completed within 15 weeks. All applicants must be able to commit to a minimum of 24 hours per week to be completed in three 8 hours days. All applicants must provide proof of current college enrollment and must have completed a minimum of two semesters. Recent college graduates may apply if the internship begins no more than nine months after graduation. 
Internships within the Animal Care Program are available in the following disciplines:
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For a complete description of current internships available and application, please visit the Employment & Internship page by clicking here.
To apply, please send in a completed application (available on the Employment page), a cover letter stating area of interest, and proof of college enrollment to the attention of:
Stephanie Dampier
Curator of Behavioral Research
Palm Beach Zoo
1301 Summit Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Or email to: sdampier@palmbeachzoo.org 
