What Can you Do?
All shifts are guest-service oriented, but below are some areas of focus available to our adult volunteers. Please be aware that some of these opportunities may require additional training and/or an additional application process once accepted as a volunteer:
Animal Encounters – helping staff supervise guest interactions at Giraffe Feeding and Children’s Zoo
Interpretation – educating guests about the individual animals here at the zoo and what we are doing to save them in the wild
Education Program Assistant – helping staff to help teach classes and lead activities
Guest Services – greeting guests, answering questions, and helping to ensure their day is amazing
Keeper Aide – volunteer alongside our keeper staff and assist with habitat cleaning, enrichment, diet preparation, and more!
Zoo Events – assisting staff with various conservation and community events throughout the year
Animal Handler – help our guests get up close and personal with one of our ambassador animals
Details to Know
Approved applicants are contacted for a meet & greet with zoo staff and current volunteers at the end of the application period; a full day orientation is required if accepted.
Accepted volunteers must complete and pass a criminal background check at their own cost of $37, with potential additional fees according to your address history:
Additional Background Check Fees (pdf)
Due to background check procedures, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The required uniform is $30 and includes a T-shirt and name-tag. Additional uniform options are available for purchase.
Requirements and How to Apply

- 80 hour annual commitment
- 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
Due to the ongoing pandemic, we are unable to accept applications at this time. The next recruitment period is tentatively summer 2021; updates will be shared on this page.
Questions about our volunteer programs?
Contact us at volunteer@houstonzoo.org
Group volunteer opportunities may be available! Learn more
For all questions regarding teen programs, contact teenprograms@houstonzoo.org
We also have internships!