Animal Care Volunteers

About the Program - Animal Care Volunteers

Animal Care volunteers work alongside a keeper assisting with daily animal care including cleaning of exhibits and indoor holding buildings, preparing diets, raking, hosing, making enrichment items, and much more! Our volunteers in the Animal Care Department are an integral part of the daily care of our animals. Thanks to the time and dedication given by our volunteers, the animals' lives are more enriched.

Requirements

• Age 18 or older
• Commit to regular attendance of four consecutive hours per week, either 8:00am – 12:00pm or 12:30pm – 4:30pm
• Commit to volunteering for at least six months
• Maintain a negative TB test (valid within one year) and current tetanus vaccination (valid within ten years)
• Complete an Animal Care Emergency Preparedness course at least once every two years
• Pay the one-time Animal Care Volunteer Program fee of $20 which includes a uniform t-shirt and Animal Care Volunteer Handbook
• Abide by the procedures and expectations outlined in the Oakland Zoo Volunteer Manual including those set by the Animal Care, Conservation and Research Department (ACCR).

Application

Download and complete the Animal Care Volunteer Application. Submit your entire application packet via email or mail to:

Oakland Zoo Volunteer Program

P.O. Box 5238

Oakland, CA 94605

Process

After we receive your application, you will be sent "Next Steps" information. This will consist of a link to review a PowerPoint presentation and complete a couple of forms to be returned to us, along with some medical information (proof of a negative TB test in the last year, proof of a Tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years, and proof of a Covid vaccination and first booster). When all of this is received, your application will then go to Animal Care for review.

• You will be contacted for an interview.
• Once an applicant is accepted into the program, a $20.00 program fee is required before volunteering commences.
• Those accepted will attend an Animal Care Volunteer Orientation, which are typically 30-60 minutes in length. The $20 non-refundable volunteer fee will be collected and uniforms issued.
• This process takes several weeks.
• All volunteers are required to enter their volunteer hours in our volunteer tracking system within a few days of your shift.

Questions

Please email us if you have more questions about our Animal Care Volunteer Program.

About the Program - Behavioral Observation Team (BOT)

Why Observe?

There are several purposes to observations. Since the keepers are busy throughout the day and do not always have extended periods of time to do observations, volunteer observers help to gather data on what is going on with the animals during the day. Some projects involve gathering data on general activity budget of the animals, while other projects may be to gather information on introductions of two new animals, seasonal changes, use of enrichment items, or how new animals adjust to their new habitat. Observations are very important in helping us determine best behavioral management practices for our animals.

Requirements

• Age 18 or older
• Commit to regular attendance of 2-4 hours per week
• Commit to volunteering for at least nine months
• Pay the one-time Animal Care Volunteer Program fee of $20 which includes a uniform t-shirt and Animal Care Volunteer Handbook
• Abide by the procedures and expectations outlined in the Oakland Zoo Volunteer Manual including those set by the Animal Care, Conservation and Research Department (ACCR).

Application

Download and complete the Animal Care BOT Volunteer Application. Submit your entire application packet via email or mail to:

Oakland Zoo Volunteer Program

P.O. Box 5238

Oakland, CA 94605

Process

After we receive your application, you will be be sent "Next Steps" information. This will consist of a link to review a PowerPoint presentation, complete a couple of forms to be returned to us along with some medical information (proof of proof of Covid vaccination and first booster). When all of this is received, your application will then go to Animal Care for review.

• You will be contacted for an interview.
• Once an applicant is accepted into the program, a $20.00 program fee is required as well as proof of a negative tuberculosis test within the last year and a tetanus shot within the last ten years.
• These items must be received by ACCR before volunteering commences.
• Those accepted will attend an Animal Care Volunteer Orientation, which are typically 30-60 minutes in length. The $20 non-refundable volunteer fee will be collected and uniforms issued.
• This process takes several weeks.
• All volunteers are required to enter their volunteer hours in our volunteer tracking system within a few days of your shift.

Questions

Please email us if you have more questions about our Animal Care Volunteer Program.

Frequently Asked Questions, Oakland Zoo Behavioral Observation Team

What are the available behavioral projects?

There are a few long-term projects involving our elephants, primates, and Ca Trail and many diverse changing short-term projects. These short-term projects come up when we have new animals, new enrichment, animal introductions, during breeding seasons, exhibit modifications, etc. Volunteers will be notified when these projects come up and can use their hours towards the short-term project in addition to their regular assignments.

What is the purpose of behavioral observations?

There are several purposes for observations. Since the keepers are busy throughout the day and do not always have extended periods of time to do observations, volunteer observers help to gather data on what is going on with the animals during the day. Some projects involve gathering data on general activity budget of the animals, while other projects may be to gather information on introductions of two new animals, seasonal changes, use of enrichment items, or how new animals adjust to their new habitat. Observations are very important in helping us determine best behavioral management practices for our animals.

Will I be involved in any other volunteer aspect with the animals other than observations?

No. If you are part of the BOT then you are strictly involved in observations. If you are interested in the care of the animals, there are general volunteer positions, as well as internships available.

Who will be training me?

General observation technique training is done by the keepers who coordinate the Behavior Observation Team per section.  After general training and orientation by the BOT management team, you will receive follow-up with training specifics to your assigned animal area and projects. After the training process is done, keepers will continue to check in with observers as often as possible to make sure any questions or concerns are answered.

What is the minimum time commitment for a behavioral volunteer position?

Volunteers are required to commit to 2-4  hours per week for a period of 9 months. Typically there is a maximum of 2 hours of observations. The additional time may be utilized for equipment gathering and return as well as data entry, if needed.

What are the minimum requirements?

Volunteers need to complete nine months, two-four hours per week. Volunteers are welcome to stay on the team as long as they’d like. Volunteers have the opportunity to switch between observation projects after they’ve completed their first nine month commitment if the opportunities arise.

What are the scheduled shifts?

Shifts will be determined by keepers depending on the project. Some projects are long term and have set shifts, but some are temporary projects, with a limited schedule. During orientation set shifts will be announced for long term projects.

Do I need to have computer skills to join?

Computer skills are not required but most projects require use of a tablet and software called Zoo Monitor. Your project may also require some data entry using basic Excel skills. No worries if you don’t have experience with these things, your supervising keeper will teach you!