Available Volunteer Opportunities
All shifts are geared towards excellent guest service and engagement, and interaction with the public is an expectation of all volunteers. Below are different opportunities available. Volunteers can participate in as many opportunities as they qualify for. Please note that some of these options may require additional training and/or additional application processes after being accepted as a volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Our next application period for general volunteers is now closed. Applicants will be notified of their status by June 4. Accepted volunteers will need to be able to attend a required orientation on either Saturday, July 12 or Sunday, July 13
Interested in Joining our Family?

Requirements
- 60-hour annual commitment (with the exception of Dive Volunteers)
- Dive Volunteers must have at least their open water certification from NAUI, PADI, or SDI
- Due to background check procedures, you must be legally authorized to work in the USA
- Ability to communicate in English (additional language fluency is a plus!)
- A negative TB test result is required for volunteers wishing to assist as Dive Volunteers, Farm Interpreters, Petting Zoo, or Keeper Aides for certain teams
- A desire to save animals in the wild and enthusiasm for interacting with Zoo guests

How to Apply
- Applications for our general voluneer program are now closed. Applicants will be notified of their status by June 4.
- Selected candidates will be asked to attend interviews within 2 weeks after the application window closes.
- Those being invited to join our program will need to:
- sign and return required forms
- successfully complete a background check
- attend one of two required orientation days
- Either Saturday, July 12 or Sunday, July 13
- complete required trainings following onboarding
- Our next recruitment period opens December 2025
Questions about our volunteer programs?
Contact us at volunteer@houstonzoo.org
For all questions regarding teen programs, contact teenprograms@houstonzoo.org