Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) recruits volunteers in the spring and fall each year. The minimum age to volunteer is 18 (14 for Volunteens) and volunteers will not come in direct contact with animal residents.
You can become a volunteer in just three easy steps:
- Complete an application. You will receive a confirmation verifying your enrollment in orientation, along with a background check form to be completed and returned before Orientation.
- Attend Orientation. During Orientation, we will give an overview of the Zoo’s educational mission, volunteer policies and procedures and emergency preparedness. We will also cover the different volunteer opportunities, conduct group interviews and introduce you to our online scheduling system.
- Complete training for your chosen assignment.
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Detroit Zoo – Volunteer Opportunities
There are a number of volunteer opportunities at the Detroit Zoo. All of these positions will be described in further detail at Orientation Part 1.
Docent
Our most intensive training prepares these dedicated volunteers to be educators and interpreters at animal habitats throughout the Zoo. In addition, they provide tours and assist with a variety of educational programs both inside the Zoo and in the local community all year long. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 75 hours per year for a minimum of 2 years
- Training: 14-week training course plus an online component and shadowing requirements; $50 course fee includes materials and uniform shirt. Scholarships available.
- Scheduling: Flexible, two-to-three-hour shifts
- Availability: Year-round, 7 days per week
Australian Outback Adventure “Mob Squad”
Kangaroos and wallabies call the Australian Outback Adventure home. In this popular Detroit Zoo attraction, guests are able to walk through the habitat and get a closer view of the animals. Volunteers called the “Mob Squad” interact with visitors along the winding pathway inside the habitat. Volunteers are critical to this experience and the habitat cannot be opened without a team of volunteers. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 50 hours between April and October or 75 hours for calendar year
- Training: one 3.5-hour training course plus online component; $10 course fee and $24 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, two-to-three-hour shifts
- Availability: Year-round or seasonal, 7 days per week
Gallery Guide
These volunteers are based in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and spend their time talking about butterflies. A special projection system called Science On a Sphere and art exhibits are housed in this building and volunteers also interact with guests in these areas. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 50 hours per calendar year
- Training: one 3-hour training course plus an online component; $10 course fee and $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, three-to-four-hour shifts
- Availability: Year-round, 7 days per week
Special Events
Throughout the year, the Zoo offers fun and interesting themed events to encourage guests to visit. These events could not happen without the helping hands and smiling faces of Zoo volunteers. From temporary tattoos to craft assistants, story readers to wine pourers, costume wearers to registration helpers, each event has its wish list of specialized assistance. This is a terrific way to be involved with the Zoo without a big commitment of time. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 20 hours per calendar year
- Training: on-the-job; $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, events are day and evening, weekdays and weekends
- Availability: Year-round, 7 days per week
Zoo Ambassador
This is the ultimate “people person” position. Spend half of a three-hour shift greeting guests as they enter the Zoo, helping them get oriented to the map, the facilities and any special events. The rest of the time is spent walking the Zoo looking for ways to help guests. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 50 hours between April and October
- Training: one six-hour course plus online component; $10 course fee and $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, three-to-four-hour shifts
- Availability: Seasonal, April-October, 7 days per week
Arctic Ring of Life Guest Assistant
This is one of the most critical positions in the Zoo. While helping with crowd control in the busy Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage, these volunteers enjoy quality time with the polar bear and seal residents of this award-winning habitat. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 50 hours between April and October
- Training: one three-and-a-half-hour course plus online component; $10 course fee and $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, three-hour shift
- Availability: Seasonal, April-October, 7 days per week
Greeter
Greeters assist primarily in two locations: Ford Education Center Exhibit Hall and Science On a Sphere. Greeters provide a friendly invitation to guests to come in and view these exhibits/shows. Seasonal greeters are also needed at the National Amphibian Conservation Center. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 20 hours per calendar year
- Training: one 1-hour training for Science On a Sphere and on-the-job training for Ford Education Center and seasonal greeters; $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, two-to-three-hour shifts
- Availability: Varies, 7 days per week
Staff Aide
Clerical skills, phone experience and weekday availability on a regular schedule would be assets to volunteers interested in offering their services in this program. Short-term as well as long-term projects may be available. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 20 hours per calendar year
- Training: On-the-job; $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, depends on the project
- Availability: Varies, weekdays
Penguin Person
These volunteers assist with crowd control and answering questions about the four species of penguins that reside in the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 50 hours per calendar year
- Training: one three-hour training course plus an online component; $10 course fee and $16 uniform fee
- Scheduling: Flexible, two-to-three-hour shifts
- Availability: Year-round, seven days per week
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Belle Isle Nature Center — Volunteer Opportunities
The Belle Isle Nature Center Assistants are a group of dedicated individuals who have a particular connection to Belle Isle as well as to the mission of “bringing the wilds of Michigan to the heart of Detroit” at the Belle Isle Nature Center. Volunteers assist the staff with projects, greet visitors or field trip groups and help with public feedings at the Deer Encounter. There are monthly opportunities to support nature programs with craft activities for young children, or seasonal opportunities to share gardening skills around the Belle Isle Nature Center grounds. Belle Isle Nature Center Assistant volunteers also answer questions about the frogs, salamanders, turtles, bees and fish that live in the facility. See Application Packet for full description (PDF).
- Time commitment: 20 hours per calendar year
- Training: individual orientation and job shadowing; $16 uniform
- Scheduling: Flexible, 3-4 hour shifts
- Availability: Year-round; weekend shifts are available year-round, daily shifts occur mid-June through Labor Day.
There are three steps to becoming a volunteer at the Belle Isle Nature Center.
- Complete a Volunteer Profile Sheet.
- Attend Orientation.
- Attend a Belle Isle Nature Center orientation/training.
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Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteen Zoo Corps Program
Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoological Society is looking for energetic youth ages 14-17 to be part of our Zoo Corps. This is an opportunity to earn community service hours while working with a team from the Education Department at the Detroit Zoo. Benefits include leadership experience, customer service training, learning and practicing communication skills, and a professional work setting. Opportunities to volunteer stretch throughout the year, including weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Apply Now
Summer Safari Camp Counselor-in-Training Program
Detroit Zoo
Counselor-in-Training program matches teen volunteers ages 16 and 17 with paid camp counselors to assist during the Zoo’s Summer Safari Camp. Responsibilities include assisting with groups of 10-12 youth (kindergarten-eighth grade) on tours through the Zoo, administering craft projects and interacting with staff and guests. Camp is held Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and is held mainly outdoors. Spring recruitment is complete at this time. Please check back for future opportunities.
Nature Camp Counselor-in-Training
Belle Isle Nature Center
Nature Center Counselor-in-Training volunteers support paid camp counselors and assist with activities throughout the camp at the Belle Isle Nature Center. Teen volunteers assist camp groups with outdoor play, nature immersion, games and crafts. Nature Camp is held Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and is held mainly outdoors. Spring recruitment is complete at this time. Please check back for future opportunities.
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Volunteer Orientation Dates
Volunteer Orientations:
- Saturday, September 9, 2017 – 9 a.m.-noon
- Spring 2018 – To Be Announced
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Volunteering Video
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Diversity Statement
To be a great organization means that we are diverse and that we value diversity. The Detroit Zoological Society is not only dedicated to the natural world of biodiversity, but also to the diversity of our organization and community. Diversity is defined as all the ways that we are similar and different; the differences make us each unique, but it is in recognizing and valuing our differences that we learn to value each other.