ZooTeen Volunteer Opportunities

Welcome to the ZooTeen Program!

The ZooTeen Volunteer Program empowers teens to become leaders and ambassadors for the Birmingham Zoo. Through guest engagement, conservation education, and service, ZooTeens inspires others to care about wildlife and the natural world while making a real impact in our community.

Next application window opens August 1 for the Fall season.

Start Here: Discovery Crew

All new ZooTeens begin on the Discovery Crew.

Discovery Crew members interact with guests around the Zoo by sharing fun animal facts, answering questions, and helping visitors learn about wildlife and conservation. ZooTeens use biofacts such as feathers, skulls, and shells to help explain animals, habitats, and the conservation work protecting species around the world.

ZooTeens must complete all required service hours with Discovery Crew before becoming eligible for additional volunteer opportunities.

More Ways to Get Involved

After completing Discovery Crew hours, ZooTeens can apply for additional roles.

Camp Mentors help bring the Zoo’s summer camps to life by supporting camp teachers, guiding campers through activities, and helping younger volunteers learn their roles.

Junior Animal Crew volunteers support animal areas throughout the Zoo while helping create exciting experiences for guests. These positions may include Barn Ambassador, Giraffe Feeding Crew, Lorikeet Aviary Assistant, Butterfly Garden Lead, and Animal Handling.

ZooTeen Leadership Council is a group of experienced ZooTeens who help represent the program, provide feedback, and assist with events and volunteer initiatives. Leadership Council members work closely with staff while developing leadership and teamwork skills.

ZooTeens can also help with special events throughout the year such as Farm Day, Hoots and Howls, and the Great Backyard Bird Count.

How to Apply

Teens should create a profile and submit an application through MyImpact, the Zoo’s volunteer management system. Applicants must complete ALL application steps in order to be considered for the ZooTeen Program.

This includes submitting an application, having two recommendation forms from two adult non-family members, and attending a virtual interview via Teams. To be eligible for ZooTeens, applicants must be in 8th grade- 12th grade.

Becoming a ZooTeen is a one-year commitment. Volunteers are expected to complete a minimum of 80 service hours during the year. This is broken into 3 semesters.

16 Discovery Crew hours in the Fall (Sept. 1st- December 31st.)

20 Discovery Crew hours in the Spring (January 1st- May 23rd)

40 hours in the Summer with Camp Crew or Discovery Crew (May 24th- Aug. 31st)

4 hours helping with a Special Event of your choosing

Interviews are held in January for the Summer season and August for the Fall season. Applicants can choose an interview time through MyImpact.

Acceptance notifications are sent by early March for Summer and early September for Fall.

Orientation is required and takes place on Zoo grounds in early May for Summer volunteers and late September for Fall volunteers.

The $65 program fee helps cover onboarding costs including background checks and the Birmingham Zoo volunteer uniform.