The Oregon Zoo is a community of animals, staff and volunteers. Volunteers work all over the zoo and beyond, from helping guests have a great visit to offsite presentations.
Benefits of being a zoo volunteer include free zoo admission for some positions, acquiring new skills, and having fun working with some great staff and volunteers. Choose a program that works for you:
Zoo Ambassadors
A summer program for volunteers ages 10 and older. Ambassadors receive eight hours of training and work one 3-hour shift per week, interacting with visitors at seasonal exhibits for approximately 13 weeks, from late May to early September.
Community event volunteers
Community event volunteers are 12 years and older and commit to work one day, interacting with visitors at one of the zoo's annual community events. No pre-event training is necessary.
ZooTeens
This is a summer program for students entering ninth to 12th grades. ZooTeens commit to two days of training in early June and 11 hours of volunteering per week, for approximately 11 weeks, from mid June to early September (with a two-week vacation). Tuition of $125 provides training, conservation education and mentoring by zoo professionals.
Trillium Creek Family Farm volunteers
Volunteers are enrolled high school students who want hands-on experience in farm operations and animal care. Teen volunteers participate in their school's work-based learning program and earn credit towards graduation.
ZooGuides
ZooGuides are adults (over age 18) who can make a long-term volunteer commitment. ZooGuides receive 32 hours of training and commit to 88 hours of service each year. A volunteer's skills and interests shape his or her work at the zoo. Some are "animal talkers," sharing animal facts and stories at exhibits; others work in the office, on landscaping or in animal enrichment. Other volunteers take animals like ducks, chickens and hedgehogs offsite for presentations in schools and care facilities.
Internships
The zoo offers internships on an as-needed basis in fields ranging from animal care to volunteer management. They are available for college and graduate-level students, generally with a three-month term.
Group volunteering
This happens year-round at the zoo on landscaping projects. Groups must be between five and 25 members, with a minimum age of 12 years, and possess a willingness to work outside one day for four hours, rain or shine, cold or hot.
Volunteer dive program
Certified SCUBA divers are invited to support marine life keepers with diving tasks in the marine area.