Volunteers
Looking for internships? See our Internships page for more information (Internships are only for college-level students who are studying biological sciences).
- Education Volunteers/ Docents
- Gift & Concession Volunteers
- Horticultural Volunteers
- Special Event Volunteers
- Zookeeper Assistant
- Zoo Admin Volunteers
- Zoo Ambassadors
Process for Volunteering
Application for education volunteers is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Education Department Teen Volunteers
Saturday Programs
Morning and afternoon sessions are held most Saturdays during fall, winter, and spring. Volunteers are needed for Zoo Tots (ages 2-3) and Saturday Safaris (ages 4-9). Volunteers will help children make crafts, play games, assist with animals, and accompany children on adventures in the zoo. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
School & Home School Programs
These classes, designed for grades K-12, occur on weekdays during the school year. Help engage young minds with the world of animals in formal classes. Assist staff with props, biofacts, and live animals in teaching an appreciation of the natural world and the value of conservation. They help with artifacts, materials, and animals. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Overnights
The teen volunteer will assist in behind-the-scenes visits, animal encounters, activities, crafts, games, a flashlight safari, set up and break down. Teen volunteers must be at least 16 years old to assist with an overnight at the zoo.
Zoo Camp
Morning and afternoon sessions are held from June through mid August. Volunteers assist with crafts, games, and animals as the campers explore the animal world at our zoo. Visit with staff behind-the-scenes to show how a modern zoo works. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Volunteers are ages 14-17 years old
- Volunteers must possess good endurance
- Must be able to follow both written and oral direction, understand, apply good judgment, foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to work environment
- An 80 hour commitment minimum during the summer and a 20 hour minimum commitment during the school year is required
- Acceptance is contingent upon passing a drug test.
- Training fees apply
- If accepted as a volunteer, you must provide proof of a negative TB test given within the last 90 days
Education Department Docents
Adult (18 years and older) volunteers called docents interact with visitors to answer questions regarding animals year round. May also help zookeepers with special projects such as behavioral observation of animals.
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Docents may be as young as 18
- Docents must possess good endurance
- Must feel comfortable communicating with public in group setting and one on one; must be able to follow both written and oral direction, understand, apply good judgment, foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to work environment
- Acceptance is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screening.
- If accepted as a docent, you must provide proof of a negative TB test given within the 90 days
Gift & Concession Stand Volunteers-Closed
Volunteers are needed all days. The greatest need is weekends year round from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 until 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as weekday mornings (9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.) during April and May. Assist staff with the operation of the snack bar and the gift shop by helping customers, operating registers, stocking merchandise, preparing and serving snacks and drinks.
Minimum commitment is 4 hours per day and eight hours per week.
Qualifications
Must be age 15 or older, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and have the ability to deal with zoo visitors.
Process for Volunteering
We are currently not accepting applications for this position.
To apply as a volunteer, download the volunteer application (PDF) or use the online application form.
Horticultural Volunteers
Application for horticultural volunteers is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Assist in the maintenance of the zoo’s extensive collection of live plants. Includes planting, pruning, and all forms of plant maintenance. Minimum commitment is 4 hours per day and 8 hours per week.
Qualifications
Must be age 16 or older, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and have an interest in and some experience with plants.
Process for Volunteering
Application for horticultural volunteers is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Special Event Volunteers
Application for special event volunteers is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Special Event Volunteers will be involved with various jobs and activities essential to supporting the success of special events. Duties may include, but not be limited to, meeting and directing the general public, setting up for events, cleaning after events, and other activities designated by the zoo staff.
Special Event Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age and posses good customer service skills, the ability to follow directions in a fast paced, changing environment and a willingness to work. A Volunteer Service Agreement must be signed prior to volunteering.
Process for Volunteering for Zoo Special Events
Application for special event volunteers is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Process for Volunteering
Application for ZooKeeper assistant is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Zookeeper Assistant
Volunteers are assigned to assist a zookeeper in one area, but may work in other areas if the need arises. The minimum volunteer commitment is 4 hours per week during the school year and 8 hours per week during the summer. Preferably volunteers will start their work day at 8 a.m., when the bulk of the daily work is carried out. Special circumstances can be taken into account upon request to the General Curator.
Volunteers will be assigned based on the interests of the volunteer and the needs of the zoo.
The General Curator will work with individual volunteers to work out a schedule that takes into account the needs of the individual and the needs of the Greenville Zoo. Volunteers will be expected to work as scheduled; be on time; dressed appropriately; and follow all procedural and safety rules as dictated by the Greenville Zoo.
Volunteers will be allowed to work at the discretion of the supervisory staff and informed of any problems that may arise. If problems cannot be resolved, a volunteer will be informed that their services are no longer needed.
Applications for the spring semester must be received by January 31. Summer semester applications must be received by March 31. Fall semester applications must be received by August 31. Applications received by the deadlines will be reviewed and interviews scheduled. See below for application information.
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Volunteers may be as young as 16, but preference is given to college-level students with an interest in the biological sciences
- Volunteers must possess good physical strength and endurance
- Must be able to follow written and oral direction, understand, apply good judgment, and foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to the work
- Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments as needed If accepted as a volunteer, you must provide proof of a negative TB test given within the last year
Volunteers will be responsible for logging their own hours. Volunteer hours will be logged daily in the Volunteer Log located in the staff break room.
Zoo Office & Administration Volunteers-Closed
Primarily on weekdays (hours are flexible) and a few evenings and weekends. Assist office staff and administration with telephone inquiries, mailings, clerical functions, preparation of newsletter, brochures, and fliers. Minimum commitment is 4 hours per day and 8 hours per week.
Qualifications
Adults only. Must demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and have the the ability to deal with wide variety of assignments and people. Some computer skills desirable.
Current Status
Volunteers are needed year round.
Process for Volunteering
We are currently not accepting applications for this position.
To apply as a volunteer, download the volunteer application (PDF) or use the online application form.
Zoo Ambassadors
Application for Zoo Ambassadors is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Zoo Ambassadors will be involved with various jobs and activities assisting the Zoo’s Public Service staff. The Ambassador will be stationed at the ticket booth to welcome our visitors and provide friendly customer service. Duties may include, but not limited to, greeting and directing the visitors, interacting with visitors, answering any questions about the zoo and zoo programs, assisting zoo members through a quick check in process, handing out conservation tokens, selling memberships, and monitoring the gift shop.
Requirements
The Zoo Ambassadors must be at least 15 years of age and posses good customer service skills, the ability to follow directions in a fast paced, changing environment and a willingness to work. No experience necessary. Volunteers are needed March - September, Tuesday - Friday and weekends. Minimum commitment is four hours per day or eight hours per week.
Skills
Ambassadors must possess good endurance; must feel comfortable communicating with public, must be able to follow both written and oral direction, understand, apply good judgment, foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to work environment. Represent the zoo in a positive and professional manner.
Process for Volunteering
Application for Zoo Ambassadors is closed. Check back periodically for more information.