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
- Guest services Volunteers
- Horticultural Volunteers
- Special Event Volunteers
- Zookeeper Assistant
- Zoo Admin Volunteers
- Zoo Ambassadors
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
- If accepted as a volunteer, you must provide proof of a negative TB test given within the last 90 days
- Acceptance is contingent upon passing a drug test.
- Training fees apply
Teen volunteer applications accepted October 1 - March 1.
Apply
Application for teen volunteers is closed.
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 last 90 days
Docents volunteer applications accepted October 1 - February 15.
Please check back in October for updates.
Questions email zooed@greenvillesc.gov or call (864)467-4542.
Guest Services Volunteers
Greenville Zoo volunteers are important and needed every day especially weekends during the months of April – October from 10:00AM-2:00PM.
Assist attendants with customers in required areas
- Admissions rentals hand out forms for wheelchair and strollers. Demonstrate how rentals operate, answer general zoo questions and assist with admission lines
- Concessions preparing and serving food and drinks
- Gift shop stocking merchandise
Qualifications
Demonstrate a sense of responsibility and have the ability to communicate with zoo visitors. Provided great customer service.
- Volunteers minimum age 15 and older
- 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
- Minimum commitment is 4 hours per day and 12 hours per month.
Apply
To apply to be a volunteer, select the link and complete the wavier https://cityofgreenvillesc.formstack.com/forms/greenville_zoo_guest_services
Interviews will be scheduled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email omarshall@greenvillesc.gov or call (864)467-4542.
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
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.
Volunteers for zoo events must be at least 14 years of age. Posses good customer service skills, the ability to follow directions in a fast paced, changing environment and a willingness to work.
Zoo events- October-Boo in the Zoo, December- Holiday lights
Application for special event volunteer ages 14-20 is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
Apply
Applications for special events minimum age requirement 21 and older select the link below https://cityofgreenvillesc.formstack.com/forms/individual_volunteer_agreement_and_release Email confirmation will follow.
If you have any questions, contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email omarshall@greenvillesc.gov or call (864) 467-4542.
Zookeeper Assistant
Volunteers are assigned to assist a zookeeper in one area, but may work in other areas if the need arises. 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. In which the General Curator will work with individual to work out a schedule for the needs of the individual and the needs of the Greenville Zoo.
Volunteers will be assigned based on the interests of the volunteer and the needs of the zoo. Volunteers will be expected to work as scheduled. With a minimum commitment of 16 hours per month for 4 hours a week (a total of 192 hours a year).
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Volunteers age requirement 18, 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 into the program you must provide proof of a negative TB test completed within the last 90 days. Clear a background check and drug screen provided by the City of Greenville.
- Interns must attend orientation on zoo operations and safety training and fees will apply.
Apply
Application for Zookeeper Assistant is closed. Check back periodically for more information.
If you have any questions, contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email omarshall@greenvillesc.gov or call (864) 467-4542.
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.