Volunteer for the Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo has one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country
More than 2,000 individuals volunteer more than 168,000 hours per year.

Volunteer Opportunities for Adults

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If you love animals and enjoy working with people, the zoo is the place for you! We have a wide variety of opportunities available and many different programs to get involved with that cover many different areas of interest.

Our ZooGuides undergo extensive training and commit to 88 hours of service per year. You can get started by signing up to attend a short orientation.

NOTE: Working with the animals requires special training and experience and is NOT an option for new volunteers.

Short Term Volunteer Opportunities

If you can't make a long term commitment, you can still help with events (see Community Event Volunteering). Email Community Volunteer or call (503) 525-4273. You can also check with us if you have a special skill you would like to share with us on a short-term basis.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities for Students and Adults

If you are looking for a place to volunteer for the summer, you can help the zoo by becoming a ZooAmbassador. ZooAmbassadors are volunteers who commit to one 4½ hour shift per week during the summer at seasonal exhibits. This summer, ZooAmbassadors will work at our Prehistoric Predators exhibit.

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens

ZooTeen poses with goat High School age volunteers work at the zoo year round.

ZooTeens (entering 9th-12th grade) spend the summer sharing the amazing things they learn about animals with zoo visitors. They also get to help with the care and feeding of the animals they work with, such as goats, rabbits, and chickens.

Applications for ZooTeens Summer 2010 available until March 1st.

Short Term Volunteer and Job Shadow at the Family Farm exhibit offer an experience in career exploration for teens in the 9th-12th grades. These volunteers care for animals and interact with zoo visitors from September through May.

Volunteer Opportunities for Groups

giraffe group walking We are always looking for groups who can spend a few hours helping with horticulture projects. The minimum age for participation is 12.

For information, see Group Volunteering,
email Community Volunteer, or call 503-525-4273.

Internships

The zoo has 12-week, unpaid college internships in a variety of career areas.

Volunteer Opportunities!