VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Are you interested in helping people, exploring a career working with animals, and having fun? Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, share your knowledge with others, and make a difference! Check out our adult and teen volunteer programs. There's something for everyone here at the Oakland Zoo!
Already a Volunteer? Click here to log your hours.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS (Ages 18 and up)
Zoo Ambassadors
(Age 18+)Zoo Ambassadors are on the front line with our visitors, teaching them about our animals, helping at special events, and generally enhancing our guests' experience. Training consists of three modules, each covering a different section of the Oakland Zoo's animal collection. Once you have completed any one of the three modules, you become a Zoo Ambassador and your commitment is 5 hours per month. See the Zoo Ambassador description for more detail on the training schedule. Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org
Docents
(Age 18+)Take volunteering to the next level! The Oakland Zoo Docents are a group of dedicated individuals who have completed all three Zoo Ambassador Training Modules and passed a comprehensive exam. Docents tour school groups, interpret zoo exhibits, work special events, and present in Wildlife Theater, supporting the Zoo's mission of fostering appreciation for and stewardship of the natural world. Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org
Volunteers
(Age 18+)At Volunteer Orientations, held every other month, we provide general information about the Oakland Zoo and specific information about volunteer jobs in various departments. The orientation lasts approximately one and one-half hours and is followed by an optional, two-hour guided tour of the Zoo, weather permitting. Please call the Volunteer Programs Manager to confirm the next orientation date.
Volunteers are asked to make a minimum six-month commitment to the Zoo. On-the-job training is provided. All volunteers are required to provide written proof of a current tetanus inoculation or booster and volunteers working directly with animals or children must have a yearly tuberculosis test.
You can train to volunteer in any of the following departments: Animal Management, Conservation and Education, Operations, Grounds, Janitorial, General Office work, Internships, and EMT.
If you're a student or recent graduate interested in zoo keeping or veterinary medicine as a career, the Oakland Zoo has volunteer internships available. All internships are unpaid positions and housing is the responsibility of the intern. You must be willing to spend three days a week among the birds and beasts for 12 weeks. Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org
Internships
If you’re a student or recent graduate interested in zookeeping or veterinary medicine as a career, the Oakland Zoo has volunteer internships available. All internships are unpaid positions and housing is the responsibility of the intern. You must be willing to spend three days a week among the birds and beasts for 12 weeks. For more information about the Zoo's Internship program Click here or Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org
Apprenticeships
Designed for adults who are thinking of changing careers, but who don't have a degree in zoology or biology, and for high school graduates who plan to take time off before going to college or pursuing a career, this program will help to fill in the gaps in your knowledge of animal behavior and let you see if a career with animals is for you. Our staff will provide you with a background in basic animal biology and husbandry, while teaching you what being a zookeeper is all about. Click here for more information about our Zookeeper Apprentice Program or Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org.
Behavioral Observation Team
(Age 18+)Learn the specifics of scientific animal observations in a series of 3 weekend morning classes. BOT graduates work with our zookeepers to monitor the animals under their care. Classes are given approximately once a year. Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org.
Corporate & Group Serviec Days
"Habitat restoration" may be a fancy way of saying "weeding," but it's something that must be done to keep our Zoo and park looking fabulous. And, many of those weeds are like candy to our animals! Spend a day with friends and co-workers helping to restore habitats or doing other work to make our animals' lives more comfortable. Contact us at (510) 632-9525 x141 or email docents@oaklandzoo.org.
TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Teen Wild Guides (age 13 and older)
Our successful Teen Wild Guide program is rockin' the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo! Teens are trained to be wildlife interpreters for young visitors and guide them through their discoveries. Participants go through a training session and commit to volunteering on a regular basis throughout the year.Click here for more information
ZooCamp Teen Assistants (9th -12th grade students)
Teen Assitants act as assistants to ZooCamp teachers andhelp in their daily teaching dutites. Teen Assistants should be energetic, enjoy spending time with children, and commit to working at least two weeks during the summer. For more information about becoming a Teen Assistant, Click here.
Community Service Hours
As more and more schools require community service hours for graduation, the Oakland Zoo often receives calls from students looking for short-term volunteer work. We understand and truly appreciate your desire to help the zoo, but cannot accommodate all students in-house. Instead, we have provided a few ways you can help the zoo, get your community service hours, and come away with a great experience. Your options include:
Making Enrichment
An important part of our work here at the zoo is providing an interesting and stimulating life for our animals. This includes an in-depth enrichment program. What is enrichment? Enrichment means diverse toys, interactives and challenges that zookeepers provide for our animals, to keep then interested, engaged and happy. YOU can play a role in helping us with this important program, by learning about enrichment, choosing an animal, and creating your own enrichment project for our animals. After you’ve finished, you will have the opportunity to observe our animals enjoying it! Click here for more information on enrichment and getting your community service hours this way.
Raise Funds for Conservation
The Oakland Zoo supports many dynamic organizations dedicated to preserving habitats and species for future generations (like yours!). Our many fundraising efforts have contributed to preserving acres of rainforest, protecting species such as chimps, hornbills, tamarins, macaws, elephants, tigers, orangutans and sea turtles, and supported funding for important scientific research in conservation fields. We have seen how much of a difference our contributions have made in the field, and your contributions can make just as much of an impact. Click here for information on programs you can raise funds for. For information on getting your community service hours this way, contact Melinda at (510) 632-9525 x201 or melinda@oaklandzoo.org
