To protect our guests, staff, volunteers and community amid concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak (novel coronavirus), Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo will be temporarily closed until further notice. All scheduled events and education programs are also cancelled during this time. >Learn more

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Volunteers

Interested in exploring a career in animal care, giving back to the community, or just having fun? Both individual and group volunteer opportunities at Zoo New England might be the adventure you've been looking for! 

Volunteer Opportunities Make a Donation

 

Volunteers are important members of the Zoo New England team, helping in many ways including exhibit interpretation, event support, animal care assistance, and much more. Opportunities are available for two different seasons, and applications for a specific season must be received by the deadline below. Applicants will interview with the Volunteer department and may be required to conduct a second interview in the department they're applying for.

Summer Season
April through September
Deadline for Applications: In honor of National Volunteer week, we're extending the application deadline for the summer session to April 27!

Winter Season
September through February
Deadline for Applications: July 15

 Individual volunteer applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a positive attitude and strictly adhere to our policies, procedures, grooming and customer service standards
  • Complete an online application, including references
  • Successfully complete interview/s
  • Attend and complete Orientation
  • Attend and complete an Education Interpretation class

Questions? Please see our FAQ page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Teen (14+)

Wild Bunch


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event break down.

  • Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+.
  • Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

Jr. Zoo Teen

Location: Franklin Park Zoo

The Jr. ZooTeen program is a creative and meaningful educational opportunity for highly-motivated youth ages 11 to 14. This program offers both a hands-on learning atmosphere as well as several mentoring relationships with senior staff members. To learn more about the Jr. Zoo Teen program, visit our Education section here.

Counselor in Training (CIT)

Location: Stone Zoo

CITs are volunteers aged 14-17 that help with our summer ZooCamp program. The CITs will be supervised by the ZooCamp staff and will be responsible for assisting them with maintaining a fun, safe, and educational environment for the campers. This is done by modeling ZooCamp expectations, assisting campers, and encouraging participation throughout the week. The CIT program will provide teen volunteers with experience in conservation, education, working with children within a camp setting, classroom management, and working as part of a team.

  • Applications are due by April 1st, 2020.
  • CITs must have completed at least one year of ZooCamp at Stone Zoo as a camper. Age/grade verification may be required.
  • Commitment is for 2-4 weeks of summer ZooCamp, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Apply SZ

Teen (16+)

Zoo Ambassador


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

This volunteer opportunity is for motivated, independent, gregarious individuals that enjoy answering questions, interacting with guests, and have a passion for animals and conservation. Zoo Ambassadors are trained in educational and guest relations techniques. They assist with admissions, guest services and education.

  • Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+.
  • Available in both the Summer and Winter Seasons.
  • Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • When the Zoo Ambassador completes 60 hours of volunteering he/she is eligible to apply to be a Keeper Aide or Education volunteer.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

Petting Zoo Aide


Location: Stone Zoo

Petting Zoo Aide volunteers provide quality care to the animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. Additionally, volunteers monitor guest interaction with Petting Zoo inhabitants and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.

  • Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+.
  • Only available during Summer Season.
  • Petting Zoo Aides must complete one, two-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Apply SZ

 

Wild Bunch


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event break down.

  • Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+.
  • Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ


Education Volunteer/The Naturalist

Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Education volunteers encourage the public to think and learn about animals, habitats and conservation by helping them understand exhibits, enrichment and animal behaviors in an engaging way. They involve the public with educational tools and kits.

  • Education volunteers must be 16+.
  • Available after completion of 60 hours as a Zoo Ambassador.
  • Education volunteers must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

Counselor in Training (CIT)

Location: Stone Zoo

CITs are volunteers aged 14-17 that help with our summer ZooCamp program. The CITs will be supervised by the ZooCamp staff and will be responsible for assisting them with maintaining a fun, safe, and educational environment for the campers. This is done by modeling ZooCamp expectations, assisting campers, and encouraging participation throughout the week. The CIT program will provide teen volunteers with experience in conservation, education, working with children within a camp setting, classroom management, and working as part of a team.

  • Applications are due by April 1st, 2020.
  • CITs must have completed at least one year of ZooCamp at Stone Zoo as a camper. Age/grade verification may be required.
  • Commitment is for 2-4 weeks of summer ZooCamp, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Apply SZ

Adult (18+)

Zoo Ambassador


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

This volunteer opportunity is for motivated, independent, gregarious individuals that enjoy answering questions, interacting with guests, and have a passion for animals and conservation. Zoo Ambassadors are trained in educational and guest relations techniques. They assist with admissions, guest services and education.

  • Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+.
  • Available in both the Summer and Winter Seasons.
  • Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • When the Zoo Ambassador completes 60 hours of volunteering they are eligible to apply to be a Keeper Aide or Education volunteer.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

 

Gardener


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Gardener volunteers assist in the preparation, installation and maintenance of Zoo New England park grounds.

  • Gardener volunteers must be 18+.
  • Only available during Summer Season.
  • Gardeners must complete one, two-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In an effort to match your interests and experience with the needs of our native plant nursery, and  Zoo New England’s  gardens and landscape, please fill out this survey in addition to your application.

Apply FPZ Apply SZ


Commissary


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Assists Commissary staff in daily routine and provides quality, professional support to the staff as needed in diet preparation for Zoo animals.

  • Commissary volunteers must be 18+
  • Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
  • Commissary volunteers must complete at least one, two-hour shift per week between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ


Education Volunteer/The Naturalist

Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Education volunteers encourage the public to think and learn about animals, habitats and conservation by helping them understand exhibits, enrichment and animal behaviors in an engaging way. They involve the public with educational tools and kits.

  • Education volunteers must be 16+.
  • Available after completion of 60 hours as a Zoo Ambassador.
  • Education volunteers must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

 

Keeper Aide


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Keeper Aide volunteers assist the Animal Care department behind-the-scenes to help provide for the health, safety, care and enrichment of our diverse animal collection.

  • Keeper Aide volunteers must be 18+. There is limited availability for volunteers who are 16+ at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Children’s Zoo area.
  • Available after completion of 60 hours as a Zoo Ambassador.
  • Keeper Aides must complete at least one, four-hour shift per week.
    • For the Summer Season the morning shift is between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and the afternoon shift is between 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • For the Winter Season the morning shift is between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and the afternoon shift is between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

 

Petting Zoo Aide


Location: Stone Zoo

Petting Zoo Aide volunteers provide quality care to the animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. Additionally, volunteers monitor guest interaction with Petting Zoo inhabitants and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.

  • Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+.
  • Only available during Summer Season.
  • Petting Zoo Aides must complete one, two-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Apply SZ

 

Wild Bunch


Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event break down.

  • Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+.
  • Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
Apply FPZ Apply SZ

Group Volunteers

Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Looking for a great team-building opportunity? Want to show your support for a community organization with an important mission? Group volunteering offers fulfilling opportunities for community groups and businesses to express their support of Zoo New England's mission. Projects include helping with special events, grounds keeping and special projects. Groups are also encouraged to share their special talents.

Ages 14+
Please note: There must be one 18+ chaperone for every ten participants under the age of 18.

Questions? Please see our FAQ for Group Volunteers.

Contact us for further information on our Group Volunteer Program or to book a group volunteer experience.

Event Volunteers

Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

Interested in volunteering, but unable to make a weekly commitment? The Wild Bunch might be the perfect opportunity for you. Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to help with special events. Opportunities involve assisting Zoo staff with our many special events for guests of all ages. Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+. 

Apply