Request a volunteer!
General
In general, volunteers are:
- Ages 10-13 with a parent/guardian, or 14+ to volunteer on their own.
- Mostly retired, in-between jobs, part-time employed, college students and/or K-12 students with a parent/guardian.
- Many of them have a background or interest in some kind of conservation and/or animal care field, but we also attract many teachers and healthcare workers.
- English speaking with varying degrees of fluency in a foreign language (Spanish is the most common)
- Community members who grew up with HVZ. They volunteer to give back to the zoo that raised them, and to rekindle a sense of childhood fun.
Volunteers are an excellent option when you need help directing or informing guests in any way. Many of our volunteers act as greeters and interpreters. We have utilized volunteers to interpret outside exhibits during public-facing animal care. They have provided an extra set of eyes and interpretation during times when we have pregnant or infant animals.
Volunteers can provide extra manual labor. They can weed, mulch, plant and paint. If we have volunteers whose specific skills match up with our needs, we may also have them help with specific projects. A good example of this would be the engineering company who assembled our planter boxes in the pollinator garden.
Volunteers trained in ongoing roles can help within the areas in which they've been trained. For example, a volunteer trained as only an Animal Ambassador Docent can handle a python, but cannot run the train or carousel.
We can be pretty flexible and creative with volunteer roles, but there are some things that volunteers can’t do:
- Volunteers cannot do any role that is not fun and meaningful – for them or for us. We don’t ask volunteers to help with something that we ourselves wouldn’t want to do.
- Volunteers cannot substitute for a paid staff member. However, they may be able to assist a paid staff member in their duties. An example of this would be a volunteer answering in-person questions at guest services while the clerk take phone calls and emails.
- Volunteers cannot represent HVZ off site in an official capacity without express permission from the Volunteer Coordinator. We vet every off site ask to make sure that it aligns with HVZ’s mission and vision.
- Volunteers cannot handle money.
- Volunteers cannot operate dangerous machinery.
Before you request
How much would your role depend on people knowing the Zoo, the animals, policy/procedure, etc? If the answer is a lot, then you'll probably want to consider requesting a current volunteer. Current volunteers are actively involved on at least a weekly basis. They go through in-person trainings on their specific roles, as well as trainings on the following:
- Guest services
- Radio training
- AZA accreditation
- Interpretation & empathy
Is your role something that just about anybody could do given some basic directions? Then think about opening this up to new volunteers! New volunteers will need some degree of training online and/or in person (depending on the role), but they're especially good for one-time volunteer opportunities that will get them excited, interested and signing up for ongoing roles in the future.
When deciding if you want an age limit, consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of each age:
- 0-5yrs: We don't recruit volunteers this young. If you want to offer a volunteer opportunity to this group and their parents, then what we're really looking at is a program of some kind where we offer them something and it's more work for us. They're super cute, though!
- 6-9yrs: We rarely recruit from this age for the same reasons as mentioned before; however, if we do, then we keep it short, fun and easy and with an adult. For Run Wild we let kids ages 6+ volunteer with an adult as Run Guides. It's 2hrs max, and involves waving streamers and cheering from the comfort of their own lawn chairs & picnic blankets.
- 10-13yrs: Kids these ages are just getting comfortable with about 2hr shifts. They can focus if they have some assistance, and are often learning self-confidence and leadership skills. They can volunteer with a parent/guardian in some of our ongoing roles, and are really good when it comes to volunteer opportunities that have set start/end points and expectations. They are also the most likely to show up on time and thrive on opportunities to show their skills and feel important. Adults in these pairs are usually more excited and are focused on their kid learning valuable life lessons.
- 14-17yrs: This is the age kids can start volunteering by themselves at HVZ in limited roles. Most require a lot of guidance, so roles that work closely with a staff member are best. If they're just starting out, they'll rely a lot on consistency - so roles that repeat a lot (ex. taking tickets, handing out info sheets, running a game, etc.). Current teens at HVZ will be much more comfortable with the team here, and can easily take on more complex roles (ex. answering questions about animals, explaining an event, designing games, etc.). They are more likely to be late or not show up, so we use several tactics to help them get here on time or balance out younger volunteers with older ones.
- 18-22yrs: College-aged volunteers are best for one-time projects where you have very specific expectations and time frames. It is also best to use this age group if you have a role in which you're not concerned if people don't show up. These volunteers can be absolutely amazing if they're current, but very unpredictable if they're new. They are the most likely age group by far to show up late or not at all with no notice. Despite these challenges, however, this age group will look for the same one-off volunteer opportunity year after year. If your project is something you want to do again and again each year, then this is your chance to get a dedicated group of fun-seeking young people.
For Parents / Guardians
- Yes! Parents/Guardians can volunteer with their child age 10-14 in the following roles:
- Events* (*Depending on the role/event)
- Gate Greeters
- Goat Yard Attendants
- Wildlife Champions
- Teens ages 14-17 can volunteer on their own in many roles; but we’re still happy to have parents/guardian and teen teams who would like to volunteer together.
If your child turns 10 by the end of June, then yes, that’s close enough.
- We’re so excited that your kiddo is excited! However, your child must be 10 by the end of June the season they’d like to volunteer.
- However, we do sometimes have one-time options for younger kids. We suggest getting on the Volunteer Email List here so you can be on the up-and-up in case something becomes available.
You’ll be volunteering with them! All parents/guardians are trained in along with their minor just as any other volunteer would. You’ll be expected to take an active part in any role you choose.
- Yes. We understand that it can be difficult to schedule volunteering into school, work, hobbies, etc. Your minor can come each week with you and another adult switching off every other week. The other adult will be trained in like any other volunteer just as normal.
- We will treat you as a small group, and will count your attendance together (rather than by person).
Yes! You can volunteer in any role for which you’ve received training on your own time.
For Kids, Teens and College Students
- If your birthday falls on or before June 30th of the year you’re wanting to volunteer, then yes, you can volunteer.
- If your birthday is after June 30th, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. But, every now and again an opportunity opens up for one-time event volunteering for kids and their adults. The best things you can do is get on our email list here. That’s the first place we’ll post anything. Plus, while you’re waiting you can check out the other animal and conservation news each week!
- Volunteering is an excellent place to start for any career! While we don’t provide a pathway to a keeper job, and while this is not a required starting point for all keeper positions, it will help you practice skills that would be important in any animal care professional role, like:
- Listening
- Public speaking
- Problem solving
- Interpretation* (Not like languages. Interpreting animal behavior for guests)
- Empathy-building
- Organization
- Responsibility
- Volunteering with us also gets you access to several online learning tools that will help you learn more about animals, conservation and zoos.
- Yes. Check with your school counselor first. Know that, on our end, we are used to filling out confirmations of hours for many a school requirement. However, we do not fill confirmations of hours for filling volunteer hours at the last-minute.
Yes! In 2023 we had 83 volunteers between the ages of 10 and 23. They participated in everything from Gate Greeting and Henry the Lion Handling to Run Guiding and Face Painting. You will not be the only one.
We have several volunteer roles that lend themselves well to changing schedules. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-while thing, you should check out Event Volunteering. If you’re ready for a regular schedule, but one you can adjust as needed, you should check out Wildlife Champion.
- Summer Education and Operations Internships are reserved for high school students participating in Centro Hispano’s Escalera summer internship program.
- Animal Care Internships are reserved for college students who are currently participating in UW Stevens Point’s Captive Wildlife Program.
- Did you sign up to wear the lion costume? If not, then no. But if you ever change your mind, let us know. We’ll train you in.
For the differently abled and neurodivergent
- Each role has its own benefits and limitations. Take a look at the “Volunteering for All” sections of the position descriptions. It will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you and your client judge if it’s right for you.
- Please contact us with any questions at all. We are at the beginning of our journey of making volunteering more accessible, and really value the feedback we get from our community.
- Most roles can be done from a sitting position. Take a look at the requirements and skills listed for each role to see what best fits you.
- Support. As a volunteer, you are part of our team. We will work with you to find the role that fits you, your interests and abilities.
- Flexibility. We have a variety of roles, and encourage you to find one that fits your interests and schedule. We can also modify shift lengths, role duties and locations.
- Communication & Choice. There are multiple ways for volunteers to get the information they need – through in-person conversation, online resources, or, on occasion, field trips. 🙂
- Visual & Auditory Wayfinding. Our online volunteer trainings are heavy on photos, video and audio. Our onboarding process is very straightforward and is designed to easily guide you through the process of applying, training and starting.
- Quiet Zones. We have several areas throughout the Zoo that are excellent for those who need less busy spaces. Our Volunteer Central is specifically for our volunteers, and gives them a place to relax before, after and during their shift.
- Attend a Volunteer Information Session (sign up here), learn more and ask questions.
- Share what information you feel comfortable with via your application. Let us know what tools you need in order to make volunteering fun and meaningful for you.
- Communicate. Our Volunteer Support staff do an excellent job of making themselves available as often as possible for all volunteers. Take advantage of it!
At HVZ we fully support job coaches and respite workers who volunteer together as a team. The support staff will be expected to:
- Complete any trainings along with their client
- Be present with their volunteer most of the time
- Provide partial support by allowing their client to complete easy tasks on their own, assisting with any challenging tasks, and stepping in when necessary.
- Be in communication with the Volunteer Coordinator regarding expectations, goals, successes and, as they arise, challenges.
- Any support staff signing up for/with their clients should expect to volunteer alongside them for the duration of their season and/or until such time as the volunteer has shown that they can operate on their own with no interventions.
- Anyone may sign up to volunteer individually, but must be prepared to be held accountable to the same expectations and standards as any other volunteer operating independently.