CARING! IT’S OUR NATURE!
Become a Community Conservation Leader at Brookfield Zoo!
Chicago Zoological Society
Volunteer Program Information
Whatever your background, if you enjoy talking with people about animals, nature, and conservation, we have a volunteer program just for you!
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS
Docents (volunteer educators)
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.
NEW! If you’d like to become a Docent you must first serve as a Guest Guide for a minimum of three months before joining the Docent Program. The experience you gain during that time gives you a chance to become familiar with the zoo and make sure our program is the right volunteer opportunity for you. Plus it’s a lot of fun! (
Please note that there is no "docent class" this fall. We are transitioning to an ongoing docent training process and participants are selected from the current volunteer corps.)
Guest Guides
Guest Guide volunteers are friendly, physically active, outgoing people who enjoy being outdoors in all kinds of weather. If you like to walk, this is your program! Guest Guides welcome guests to Brookfield Zoo and all its attractions, make recommendations for more satisfying visits, and have a great time talking with guests about our fantastic zoo!
Would you like to volunteer as a Guest Guide?
After a personal interview and completion of the required one-day Volunteer Orientation Program and half-day Hospitality Training Program, you will complete your flexible on-site training with the guidance of an experienced Guest Guide mentor.
Hamill Family Play Zoo Volunteers
Hamill Family Play Zoo volunteers are playful, fun-loving people who assist staff with nature crafts, costume play, storytelling, gardening, and other fun nature- and animal-related activities and games in both our Play Zoo and Children’s Zoo. The special interactions in these exhibits provide children and their families meaningful ways of connecting with animals and nature by having fun.
Would you like to volunteer in our Hamill Family Play Zoo?
After a personal interview and completion of the required one-day Volunteer Orientation Program and half-day Hospitality Training Program, you will complete your on-site flexible training with Play Zoo staff.
Whatever your background, if you enjoy talking with people about animals, nature, and conservation, we have a volunteer program just for you!
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 and outgoing;
- Enthusiastic and dependable;
- Committed to providing our guests the highest standards of customer service;
- Able to make a minimum commitment to the zoo of at least one four-hour shift each month;
- Able to contribute a minimum of 48 hours to the zoo annually (100 hours preferred);
- Willing to attend a required one-day Volunteer Orientation Program and half-day Hospitality Training Program;
- Able to contribute a $20 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! Our main goal is to get you involved in conservation education!)
- 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 Youth Program Coordinator 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 – make new connections and new friends;
- Volunteer work 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, at no extra charge, designed to enhance your skills and knowledge that will benefit you both professionally and personally;
- A 20% discount at zoo restaurants and gift shops;
- Discounted refills on soft drinks and coffee;
- 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 appreciation dinner and presentation of service awards (for active volunteers as of April 1 of each year);
- Access to the zoo’s on-site library;
- Tax deductions as allowed by law (For details, contact the IRS for publication “526-Charitable Contributions.”)
INTERESTED? Recruitment for summer volunteer positions has concluded. Limited openings may be available in Spring 2010.
Join our waiting list by clicking on: Volunteer Online Application Form.
QUESTIONS? Please call us at 708-688-8852.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a community conservation leader for the Chicago Zoological Society!