Wild Opportunities

Thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering with the San Antonio Zoo! If you are passionate about animals and conservation, then volunteering for the zoo will be an awesome experience. The Zoo is open 365 days a year so our volunteer opportunities are flexible.

The San Antonio Zoo does not accept community service, court appointed or short term volunteers.

The benefits of volunteering with the San Antonio Zoo

• Personal development
• Volunteer shirt and nametag
• Orientation session and volunteer handbook
• Annual TB testing for volunteers working in animal care departments
• Extensive animal, plant and conservation training
• Invitations to special Zoo functions and opportunities to volunteer at special events
• Quarterly Volunteer Newsletter
• Annual volunteer recognition party
• Zoo membership
• 10% discount at Zoo Gift Shops
• 30% discount at Food and Beverage Stands

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ADULT OPPORTUNITIES

Docents | Back to Top
Docents serve a vital role in helping the San Antonio Zoo reach its mission of providing a diverse educational experience to our many visitors each year. With provided training, they are involved in a variety of educational opportunities including touring school groups, interpreting zoo exhibits, and presenting education animals.

There are currently two docent programs: weekday and weekend. Weekday docents are required to volunteer one 3-hour shift a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday). Weekend docents can create their own schedule on either Saturdays or Sundays and are required to volunteer 6 hours a month.

Docent open houses and training are held twice a year in January and August.

San Antonio Zoo Docents must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Agree to a criminal background check
• Agree to read and abide by the policies listed in the Volunteer handbook
• Maintain a customer friendly attitude
• Keep an accurate record of volunteer hours
• Report on time for volunteer service
• Provide annual proof of TB testing
• Wear a designated uniform and nametag while volunteering on Zoo property
• Commit to either the Weekday or Weekend docent program
• Complete two training sessions over a two year period to prepare them for their duties
• Attend continuing education training to remain current on animal presentation procedures
• Notify Volunteer Services, in writing, of any change in volunteer status

Download the Zoo's Docent Volunteer Application (pdf)

Interpreters | Back to Top
Interpreters are volunteers who enjoy speaking to the public in an exhibit and have a strong desire to learn more about animals, plants and conservation. Currently there are two exhibit interpreter programs: Lory Landing and Butterflies: Caterpillar Flight School. Interpreters assist the staff by helping to manage the flow of visitors within the exhibit, maintain bird or butterfly safety, and educate the public on the birds or the butterflies.

Lory Landing is open year round and Butterflies: Caterpillar Flight School is open typically from March - November.
Naturalist positions work with our youth volunteers in their mission to help educate zoo visitors.  During the school year, Naturalists work on weekends.  During the summer, they work throughout the week.

San Antonio Zoo Interpreter Volunteers must:

• Commit to a minimum of one 4-hour shift a week
• Maintain a customer friendly attitude
• Agree to a criminal background check
• Provide annual proof of TB testing
• Agree to read and abide by the policies listed in the Volunteer handbook
• Keep an accurate record of volunteer hours
• Report on time for volunteer service
• Wear a designated uniform and nametag while volunteering on Zoo property
• Notify Volunteer Services, in writing, of any change in volunteer status

Download the Zoo's Interpreter Volunteer Application (pdf)

Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot Discovery Guides | Back to Top

Adults must agree to:

• Criminal background check
• Read and abide by the policies listed in the Volunteer handbook
• Maintain a customer friendly attitude
• Keep an accurate record of volunteer hours
• Report on time for volunteer service
• Provide annual proof of TB testing
• Wear a designated uniform and nametag while volunteering on Zoo property
• Commit to at least two 3 hour shifts per week from May to August 31
• Complete a 3 day training session
• Notify Volunteer Services, in writing, of any change in volunteer status

Are you a child at heart? Inspire children to laugh and play in nature in our Nature Spot exhibit during the summer. Adults and Family Volunteers are welcome to apply. Adult family volunteers are limited to bringing two children and will be required to stay and volunteer with their children.

Family volunteer participants can be 3 years old and older. Flexible hours and training provided. Please call (210) 734-7184 ext. 1507 or email volunteers@sazoo.org for details on how to apply. The deadline for applying will be May 5th.

College Internships | Back to Top
San Antonio Zoo internship program is designed to allow college students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field.  Internships are unpaid and housing is not provided. However, credit hours may be earned depending on the intern's school policy regarding internships. Interns are required to work for a minimum of 200 hours.

Internships are available throughout the year, but positions are limited and occasionally may not be available.
The summer is our busiest time of the year and all applications must be received by May 5th in order to be considered. Applications are accepted throughout the year for Fall and Spring semesters.

Applicants must complete the application process and summit an application, current resume, two letters of recommendation, a current transcript and a cover letter explaining what you want most out of an internship with the Zoo.

San Antonio Zoo interns must:

• Complete 200 hours either through a part-time or full-time internship
• Agree to a criminal background check
• Agree to read and abide by the policies listed in the Volunteer handbook
• Maintain a customer friendly attitude
• Provide annual proof of TB testing
• Keep an accurate record of volunteer hours
• Report on time for volunteer service
• Wear a designated uniform and nametag while volunteering on Zoo property
• Meet with Volunteer Services at the end of the internship to conduct an exit interview
• Notify Volunteer Services, in writing, of any change in volunteer status

Internships Available:

Education Department
The Education Department is responsible for formal and informal program offerings available for zoo visitors. These include scheduled classes for children, adults, families, school groups, summer camp programming and educational special events.  This is a great opportunity for communication, public speaking, education, and drama majors.

• Education Department Intern: Projects vary with interns program of study, semester of completion as well as intern interest.
• Nature Spot Intern: This is a fantastic learning experience for students majoring in Early Childhood education. Interns conduct their internship in Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot, which is a special area of the zoo designed for children under the age of 5 and their families. Interns develop and implement educational crafts, lead activities, monitor age appropriate use of the exhibit and conduct scheduled up-close animal encounters. We are looking for students who enjoy interacting with the public through conversation and play and have a love of nature and children.
• Summer Camp Interns: This is excellent opportunity for education and natural science majors to gain hands on experience teaching informal science education, as well as zoological and naturalist studies. Camp interns assist in the planning and facilitating of daily camp activities and teach zoo related curriculum as well as participate in animal handling.
• Summer Naturalists: This is an excellent opportunity for any college student looking to gain experience in public speaking, supervising teen volunteers, presenting informal science education, zoological and naturalist activities to zoo visitors. We are looking for students with great attitudes, who are hard working, creative and interested in challenging their own abilities and inspiring teenagers to challenge themselves.
• Graphic Design: The San Antonio Zoo handles all graphic design for signage and most printed materials in-house. Interns are responsible for computer generated materials that vary from project to project and semester to semester.
• Seasonal Intern The goal of the Seasonal Internship is to provide a pre-professional, experiential learning opportunity for students interested in environmental conservation, informal education, and communication. Interns will receive on-grounds training in interpretive techniques and relevant animal information. Upon completion of training, interns will be responsible for providing presentations focusing on conservation action and awareness to zoo guests at a variety of locations and activities around zoo grounds. Interns will also act as mentors for the Zoo’s youth volunteers. The Seasonal Intern reports to the Guest Encounters Supervisor

Animal Care
The San Antonio Zoo's animal collection includes more than 3,500 animals representing over 750 species. An animal department internship may include experiencing the daily operations of animal care, exhibit maintenance, animal behavior and record keeping. When possible interns will be placed in areas that match their goals and interests.

These internships are not research-based positions.  Animal Departments are organized into 9 different areas:

• Birds
• Reptiles
• Aquarium
• Elephants (elephants, giraffes, zebra, etc.)
• Large Mammals (rhinos, big cats, hoofstock, marsupials, etc.)
• Phase 1 Mammals (hippos, okapi, prairie dogs, squirrel monkeys, etc.)
• Small Mammals (primates, medium and small cats, anteaters, sloths, armadillos, bats, bears, etc.)
• Nutrition Center (food prep for all the animals in the collection)
• Vet Interns (available only to 2nd year Vet students, no pre-vet internships are available)

Horticulture 
The botanical collection at the San Antonio Zoo is extensive. The San Antonio Zoo is a plant rescue center for plants captured by US Customs from all over the world. Horticulture interns have an excellent opportunity to learn about a variety of species while discovering the role of plants with animals and exhibits. Interns will participate in the day to day support activities of the department such as planting, potting, watering, greenhouse maintenance, taking down and creating new exhibit spaces and other duties related to the plant collection.

Development, Human Resources, IT department
Occasionally positions may become available in these departments.

Download the Zoo's Intern application (pdf)

YOUTH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | Back to Top

Started in 1991, the San Antonio ZooTEAM became the first youth volunteer program at the San Antonio Zoo and we’ve had a lot of fun ever since.  Teens applying must have a drive to learn and the ability to share with the public information on the flora and fauna in the zoo.  They should be comfortable working as a team and be looking for an opportunity to display leadership.

There is a $20 uniform and training fee required for all first time teenage volunteers.  First year ZooTEAM do not handle animals.

San Antonio Zoo Teen Volunteers must:

• Be at 14 years of age or older
• Be mature and maintain a professional attitude while representing the zoo
• Attend mandatory orientation(s)
• Be interested in learning about animals and conservation
• Agree to read and abide by the policies listed in the Volunteer handbook
• Maintain a customer friendly attitude
• Keep an accurate record of volunteer hours
• Sign a parental consent form
• Report on time for volunteer service
• Wear a designated uniform and nametag while volunteering on Zoo property
• Notify Volunteer Services, in writing, of any change in volunteer status

In order to be considered, you must have a complete application packet which includes the application form, parental consent form and essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Zoo Team
ZooTEAM is a year-round volunteer program. Applications must be recieved no later than Aug 30th. Volunteers are interested in increasing their knowledge of zoo animals and conservation. Volunteer opportunities are scheduled on weekends and teenagers pick from a list of scheduled opportunities. Throughout the year, volunteers help out with special events such as Feast with the Beasts, Zoo Run and Zoo Boo. ZooTEAM volunteers work with the Education Center to: educate zoo visitors, assist with craft and activity tables in the zoo, assist with office work, help direct and answer general guest questions and assist the zoo with service projects that become available. All ZooTEAM volunteers must commit to a one-year commitment and volunteer at least 5 hours per a month.  ZooTEAM are eligible to work as either Naturalists or Summer Camp Volunteers during the summer.

There is a $20 uniform and training fee required for all first time teenage volunteers. First year ZooTEAM do not handle animals. In order to be considered, you must have a complete application packet which includes the application form, parental consent form and essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Summer Naturalist
Summer Naturalists are youth volunteers who assist the Education Department by doing educational presentations and activities throughout the busy summer months. Teens interested in this program must be interested in speaking directly with the public, love animals, and attend training and orientation sessions. Volunteers are trained on specific areas of the zoo. They use biofacts, arts and crafts, and the animals in the exhibit to generate conversation with our summer guests. Summer Naturalists agree to work toward a volunteering goal of 50 hours during the summer.

Summer Camp Volunteers
Summer Camp volunteers assist the Education Department with the summer camp programs for ages 4-14 years of age. Camp volunteers help by facilitating crafts, preparing and cleaning up classrooms and helping instructors tour the campers in the zoo. Summer Camp Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. They must attend a summer camp orientation in May to learn about how to be a summer camp assistant. Volunteers must commit to volunteer for at least one whole week everyday, Monday-Friday.

Download the Zoo's Youth Volunteer application (pdf)