Volunteer
Volunteer at the Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is seeking volunteers who have a love and respect for animals and a passion for serving the visitors at the zoo. Zoo volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skills to the Zoo operations. Of course, no prior experience is necessary -- we'll teach you what you need to know! Whether you have just a few hours each month to spare, or are looking for a new avenue in life, there is a home for you at the New Birmingham Zoo.
Volunteer Requirements
Adults (At least 18 years of age)
Click here to download an application! (Adobe Acrobat required)
- Applications are accepted year round
- Complete an application and have an interview
- Have background check completed
- Must offer a minimum of 48 hours of volunteer work each calendar year
- 4 hours a month or 12 hours a quarter to remain active
- You must schedule an appointment with the Volunteer Coordinator for an interview
- Complete Volunteer Orientation
- $25.00 due at time of Orientation
- Complete volunteer training for your area of interest
Teens (13 to 18 years of age)
Click here to download an application! (Adobe Acrobat required)
- Applications are accepted year round.
- $25.00 due at time of orientation
- All new teen volunteers must attend general orientation
- All new teen must complete 2 days of teen training (dates to be announced at orientation)
- Complete an application and have an interview
- Be able to complete 48 hours of volunteer service during the summer or during the school year (does not include training time)
Program |
Hours |
Training |
Description |
Apply |
Animal Nutrition Center |
7 am - 3 pm Flexible with Staff |
On the Job |
Assist in animal food preparation. There are over 700 animals at the Zoo to prepare meals for. |
Year Round |
Docent
|
9 am - 4 pm Special Event Hours |
50-hour classroom instruction |
Docents are volunteer teachers. They assist with educating visitors and school children to learn about animals and the natural world. Docents teach classes, give tours, animal demonstrations, wildlife shows, community outreach, and exhibit interpretation on zoo grounds. They interact with zoo visitors to make a memorable experience. |
Year Round |
Teen Volunteers |
9 am - 3pm 8 am - 4 pm
June and July
|
3 Day Orientation Parents attend the first half day and teen volunteers attend remaining classes.
|
Summer Teens assist with the summer camp program. They Teens work with a camp and assist the campers with crafts, games, tours, snacks and help provide another pair of eyes to provide a safe and fun camp for learning experience. They also train to work in Lorikeets, the Giraffe Feeding Station, the Contact Yard, and Biofact stations as well as other interesting and fun-filled areas. Minimum age is 13. Teens that successfully complete the summer program and are accepted into the returning teen program will be eligible for animal handling, special events, and assisting in education programs.
|
Proof of age required. No late appli- Year Round
|
Lorikeet Interpreter |
10 am - 4 pm Flexible with Staff |
On the Job |
Assist Lorikeet Keepers, interact with visitors and answer questions. |
Year Round |
Gift Shop |
9 am - 4 pm Flexible with Staff |
On the Job |
Assist staff with zoo visitors and their purchases, restocking, and other needs
|
Year Round |
Horti- |
7 am - 4 pm Flexible with Staff |
On the Job |
Assist the staff with planting, watering, weeding, and mulching on zoo grounds |
Year Round |
Member- |
9 am - 4 pm |
On the Job |
Meet and greet visitors as they enter the zoo and assist with zoo questions and membership enrollment
|
Year Round |
Marketing & Develop- |
9 am - 4 pm generally |
On the Job |
Assisting with mailings, distributing fliers and rack cards, and filing, and other duties as needed. |
Year Round |
Greeters |
9 am - 4 pm |
On the Job |
Greet visitors that come to the zoo, answer questions, and pass out maps.
|
Year Round |
Birthday Parties |
10 am - 5 pm |
On the Job |
Most of the parties are on the weekend and last about 2 hours, this includes set-up, serving cake and drinks, assisting with train ride, and clean-up. This is a chance to make a child’s birthday at the zoo special and memorable. |
Year Round |
Admin- |
9 am - 4 pm |
On the Job |
Assist with mail outs, wash coins, filing, sorting, copying, general office help, passing out fliers to venues about events at the zoo. |
Year Round |
Train Assistant |
10 am - 4 pm |
On the Job |
Assisting in collecting tokens and helping riders get on and off the train |
Year Round |
Elephant Foot Care Inter- |
9 am - 11 am |
Orientation |
Answering questions for the public while the keepers are working on the elephants’ feet. The Interpreter will talk about the keeper’s activities and elephant foot care. For safety reasons, keepers are unable to answer questions during the foot care. |
Year Round |
Animal Observa- |
9 am - 5 pm |
On the Job |
Volunteers are needed at various times of the year for animal observations that might include recording an animal’s diet intake, behaviors, activities, sleep, and others. |
Year Round |
Camps |
8 am - 4 pm |
Education Orientation |
Assist or teach in the education camps, winter, spring, or summer break camps to help with crafts, tours, games, snacks, and to provide an extra set of hands and eyes to provide for a safe and fun environment for young children. |
December March May |
Special Events |
Varies with event |
On the Job |
Are you a people person? Then special events are for you. The Zoo has Boo at the Zoo, ZooLights, and other events that you can offer special event atmosphere for the zoo visitors |
Year Round |
Butterfly Exhibit |
10 am – 4 pm |
Orientation On the Job |
Assist Butterfly Keepers, interact with visitors, answer questions, and maintain integrity of the exhibit by ensuring that butterflies do not escape. |
Memorial Day - Labor Day |
Giraffe Feeding Station |
10 – 11 & 2 – 3 |
Orientation On the Job |
Assist Keepers by answering guests questions, and maintaining order in line. |
Year Round |
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Unlimited Admission All Year!
Members of the Birmingham Zoo receive this benefit and more, including camp and birthday party discounts, ZooLight Safari admission, and special members' only events.
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The Birmingham Zoo is an independent, not for profit, 501 (c) (3) organization.
Birmingham Zoo, Inc. | 2630 Cahaba Road | Birmingham, AL 35223 | Phone: 205-879-0409 | Fax: 205-879-9426
Inspiring Passion for the Natural World...
