Chicago Zoological Society

CARING! IT’S OUR NATURE!

Become a Community Conservation Leader at Brookfield Zoo!

Chicago Zoological Society Volunteer Program Information

 

OUR VOLUNTEERS
All our volunteers are passionate about Brookfield Zoo and its animals and join us for one main reason: to create extraordinary experiences for our guests! If you enjoy talking with people about animals, nature, and conservation, and you enjoy being outdoors, we have a volunteer program tailor-made just for you!

GUEST GUIDE VOLUNTEERS
All new volunteers must begin their service to the Society as a Guest Guide volunteer.

• Guest Guide volunteers are friendly, customer-service oriented, outgoing people who enjoy being outdoors and walking about the zoo’s 216 acres in all kinds of weather. Guest Guides welcome and orient guests to Brookfield Zoo and all its attractions, make recommendations for more satisfying visits, and answer guests' questions.
• Guest Guides are on zoo grounds from early March through late October.
• Guest Guides who contribute a minimum of 50 hours of direct service to our guests in the zoo are eligible to apply for either the Early Childhood Docent Program or the Docent Program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DOCENTS (volunteer educators)

• Early Childhood Docents are playful, fun-loving people who are trained to assist staff in the Hamill Family Play Zoo and the Children’s Zoo with early childhood play facilitation focused on animals and nature. Through nature- and animal-related activities such as costume play, crafts, storytelling, and animal interpretation, Early Childhood Docents provide young children and their families meaningful ways of connecting with animals and nature by having fun.
  
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• Early Childhood Docents are in the Play Zoo/Children’s Zoo year-round.
• Early Childhood Docents may also participate in the generalist Docent Program.

DOCENT PROGRAM (volunteer educators)
What is a Docent?
The word "docent" is derived from the Latin word docere which means "to teach." In the United States, the word is frequently used to identify trained volunteer educators in zoos, national parks, and museums.

The Chicago Zoological Society’s Docent Program was established in 1977. Literally hundreds of people over the past 35 years have donated their time and talent to us as a Docent.

At Brookfield Zoo docents engage guests in conservation education by interpreting animal exhibits throughout our entire zoo. Interpretation of our animals and their habitats inspires our guests to celebrate animals and nature. Docents are in the zoo year-round.

If you’d like to become a Docent you must first serve as a Guest Guide volunteer a minimum of 50 hours before applying for our Docent Training Program. The experience you gain during this time gives you a chance to become familiar with the zoo and make sure the Docent Program is the right volunteer opportunity for you. Plus it’s a lot of fun!

To become a Chicago Zoological Society Docent, you must complete the Docent Training Program scheduled to begin in Fall 2012. The year-long training process is facilitated and coordinated by CZS staff. The program consists of two phases.

Phase I

• In Phase I, which focuses on natural history and conservation content, you’ll commit to about 10-15 hours each week for approximately three months completing on-line courses and assignments, as well as reading and conducting research in the library and on-line. You will also enjoy being out in the park interacting with guests and observing experienced docent mentors interpret the animals in our exhibits.
• As you complete your assignments, you’ll delve into the worlds of primates, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and so much more! You'll be amazed at the wonders of the natural world as you learn about ecology, conservation, and animal behavior.
• You'll also learn interpretation techniques so that our guests are moved to action on behalf of conservation. The role of docent is to have a conversation with a guest about conservation. Docents do not lecture facts to our guests; they converse with them!
• You may also be required to attend 3-4 in-person workshops/tours; dates TBA.

Phase II

• Approximately another three to six months is spent on zoo grounds with experienced and caring docent mentors who will guide you through a basic certification process. Once certification is achieved, you’ll be ready to "fly solo"!
  

There is a non-refundable fee of $75 for the Docent Training Program, payable at the beginning of Phase I. (In cases of economic hardship, this fee may be waived.)

Interviews for the fall Docent Training Program will take place this summer. We also require all docent applicants to spend a day in the zoo "shadowing” a docent before the training program begins so you can be absolutely certain that our Docent Program is the right volunteer choice for you. Although we do have some openings on weekends, in 2012, we will focus on recruiting weekday docents.

The Docent Training Program and serving as a CZS Docent requires COMMITMENT! Docents are life-long learners who commit to continually improving their knowledge and skills through continuing education.

Because of the personal time and effort invested in the Docent Training Program and the Docent Program, all applicants should seriously consider their personal responsibilities before submitting an application. If you are currently in school or anticipate going to an out-of-town school, travel for your job on a regular basis, work more than 50 hours a week, or have many other family/career/personal commitments, you may want to consider remaining in our Guest Guide Volunteer Program.

VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS
The Chicago Zoological Society selects people for our volunteer programs who are:

• Genuinely interested in and care about people, animals, nature, and conservation;
• Friendly, outgoing, and dependable;
• Commitment! Able to make a minimum commitment of two four-hour shifts each month (one four-hour shift each week is preferable), and able to make a minimum contribution of 50 hours of direct service to our guests annually. The four-hour shift, either morning or afternoon, is generally on the same day each week; flexible schedules also available. (We especially welcome applicants with afternoon availability.)
• Committed to providing our guests the highest standards of customer service;
• Required attendance at a one-day Volunteer Orientation/Hospitality Training Program;
• Willing to complete any required assignments and on-site training with experienced volunteers/staff;
• Able to contribute a $25 materials fee;
• Already a zoo member or able to purchase a zoo membership plan at a 50% discount upon becoming a volunteer;
• (Note: Should either or both financial commitments above cause economic hardship for you, these fees may be waived. Just let us know!)
• At least 18 years old.

For information on the Career Ladder for Youth, including volunteer opportunities for teens age 14 to 17, please contact our Conservation Leadership Program Supervisor at (708) 688-8304, or via e-mail at YVC@czs.org



VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
In recognition of service to the Society, volunteers receive:

• The satisfaction of a meaningful contribution of service to one of the world’s leading conservation centers;
• Networking opportunities! Make new professional contacts;
• Expand your social circle and make new friends;
• Volunteer service has proven to be good for your health and mental well-being;
• A fun experience every time you volunteer at the zoo;
• Continuing education programs designed to enhance your skills and knowledge that will benefit you both professionally and personally;
• 20% discount at zoo restaurants and gift shops;
• Free refills on soft drinks and coffee when you bring your own reusable cup;
• Annual appreciation banquet and presentation of service awards;
• Annual Earned Membership based on number of service hours you contribute;
• Members discount for zoo lectures, classes, and other events;
• Subscriptions to the Society’s quarterly magazine for members, Gateways, and other volunteer publications;
• Exclusive invitations to preview new exhibits before the general public;
• Annual Earned Membership;
• Access to the zoo’s on-site library;
• Subscriptions to the Society’s quarterly magazine for members, Gateways, and other volunteer publications;
• Exclusive invitations to preview new exhibits before the general public;
• Tax deductions as allowed by law (for details, contact the IRS for publication “526-Charitable Contributions.”

** Our volunteers do not handle animals and are not involved in animal husbandry. If you are interested in gaining hands-on experience with animals for your career development, and are currently enrolled in a university degree program, consider our 12-week Internship Program. If interested, please visit the College Experiential Learning Opportunities (CELO) webpage or send an e-mail to interns@czs.org.
**Office, animal observation, or behind-the-scenes volunteer assignments are not available.

READY TO SIGN UP?
Sign up today by clicking here: Volunteer Online Application Form. Applicants who meet our qualifications will be contacted to set up an interview. After a personal interview, completion of the required one-day Volunteer Orientation/Hospitality Training Program and submission of any required paperwork, selected volunteers will begin their service and complete on-site training with experienced volunteers and staff.

QUESTIONS? Please contact us at volunteers@czs.org

Thank you for your interest in becoming a community conservation leader for the Chicago Zoological Society!