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!

SUMMER ONLY PROGRAMS! (Memorial Day Week end through Labor Day)
Just one 4-hour shift a week, morning or afternoon, on any day you choose, is all it takes!
If you’re a college student or teacher who wants to volunteer just for the summer, these are your programs!

ButterfIies! Exhibit Volunteer – SUMMER ONLY!
Butterflies! Exhibit Volunteers engage guests in conservation education by interpreting the wonders of butterflies and butterfly habitat in our popular Butterflies! seasonal exhibit. It can get quite warm in this exhibit so this program is for all the hot summer weather lovers!

Children’s Zoo Volunteers – SUMMER ONLY!
Children’s Zoo Volunteers engage young guests to help them discover connections with domestic animals in the Walk-In Farmyard and the Zoo At Home setting of the Play Zoo. Volunteers also interpret domestic animals and native wildlife on Children’s Zoo grounds.

Would you like to volunteer as a Butterflies! or Children’s Zoo Volunteer this summer?
After a personal interview, completion of the required one-day Volunteer Orientation Program, half-day Hospitality Training Program, and flexible on-site training, you will be out and about in the zoo for the summer.
You must be available for orientation from 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 22 or Saturday, June 12.



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.

LOOK! If you’d like to become a Docent you must first serve as a Guest Guide a minimum of three months before joining the 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!

The Fall 2010 Docent Training Program will be held these Saturdays from 10am-4pm: October 9, October 23, November 6 and November 20. All four sessions are mandatory.
(Note: An additional interview and application are required to be accepted into the Docent Training Program.)

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.
You must be available for orientation from 10am-4 pm on Saturday, February 13; Friday, March 12; Saturday, March 20; Saturday, May 22; or Saturday, June 12.



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 our award-winning Play 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.

You must be available for orientation from 10am-4 pm on Saturday, February 13; Friday, March 12; Saturday, March 20; Saturday, May 22; or Saturday, June 12.



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 of one four-hour shift each month (one four-hour shift each week for summer-only volunteers);
  • Able to contribute a minimum of 48 hours annually (100 hours preferred);
  • Able 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 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 – 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 designed to enhance your skills and knowledge to 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.”)
Looking for Animal Experience or a Paid Position?
Please note that our volunteers do not handle animals and are not involved in animal husbandry.
 
Internships
  • 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 Animal Care Internship Program.
  • If interested send an e-mail to zookeeper_internships@czs.org or download the internship application
Paid Employment
  • If your true motivation in serving as a volunteer is to gain a paid position with the Chicago Zoological Society, we strongly encourage you to apply directly for your desired position as that approach will lead you to your goal quicker than serving as a volunteer.
  • Be sure to check our website at www.czs.org for current job openings.
  • You can also e-mail your resume to greatjobs@brookfieldzoo.org or fax it to 708-688-8929.

READY TO SIGN UP?
Sign up today by clicking here: Volunteer Online Application Form. We’ll contact you for an interview!
  • Guest Guide and Hamill Family Play Zoo volunteer applicant interviews will be scheduled in January/February/March 2010.
  • Butterflies! and Children’s Zoo volunteer applicant interviews will be scheduled in May.
  • Recruitment for 2010 available positions will conclude by Memorial Day weekend.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Hina Sowinski, Volunteer Coordinator, at hina.sowinski@czs.org

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

2010 National Association of Zoo & Aquarium Docents (AZAD) Conference
Our Volunteers are proud to host the 2010 National Association of Zoo & Aquarium Docents (AZAD) Conference
September 7-12, 2010.
Visit the official AZAD conference Facebook Fan Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Brookfield-IL/AZAD-2010/162042861445?ref=mf