Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
Cosley Zoo offers volunteer opportunities in animal care and education which provides valuable support to these areas.
Long-Term Opportunities (three months minimum)
Zoo Naturalists help motivate visitors to appreciate the earth and its wildlife, and to conserve its resources through interacting with visitors, answering questions and explaining exhibits. Training is provided. Individuals must have good oral communication skills and be enthusiastic and interested in meeting and working with many types of people. Hours and days are flexible.
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Animal care volunteers work directly with the zookeepers to perform routine feeding, cleaning and general husbandry for domestic and wild animals. Training is provided. Individuals must be able to stand, climb, stoop and bend for extended periods of time as well as carry up to 50 pounds. A minimum of one four-hour shift a week is required.
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Interviews for Animal Care Volunteer positions take place in a group format, and may take up to 2.5 hours. During these sessions, a short orientation is followed by individual interviews.
With the guidance of zoo staff, Cosley Zoo Event Rental volunteers work with visitors who have rented space at Cosley Zoo to hold an event. Individuals must be enthusiastic and interested in meeting and working with many types of people. Hours vary, based on rental schedule. Most rentals take place on Saturday and Sunday between 9 am–5 pm; Occasional evenings and weekdays.
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Cosley Zoo is looking for creative, enthusiastic, and responsible individuals interested in Environmental Education and working with visitors of all ages. Education Interns will take a leading role in creating and presenting informal programs to zoo visitors on a daily basis through the use of live animals, biofacts, and various other interpretive techniques.
Interns will be provided with a wide variety of opportunities to gain experience and further develop their education and interpretation skills. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing and presenting interpretive programs, completing internal training including animal handling, assist with special events, birthday parties, and the development of new programs.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and completed a minimum of one year of course work at an institution of higher learning with an interest in conservation and education. This is an unpaid internship requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week for no less than three months. Shifts must be completed in 4 hour increments. Hours and days are assigned on a first come first served basis. Must be able to work at least one weekend day.
- June-August
- September-November
- March-May
Cosley Zoo is looking for hardworking, enthusiastic, and responsible individuals who are interested in a career working with animals. Animal Care Interns will be provided with a wide variety of opportunities to gain experience and further develop their animal care and handling skills.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, cleaning and general husbandry for domestic and wild animals, diet preparation, behavioral enrichment set-up and documentation, behavioral observations, and special projects.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and completed a minimum of one year of course work at an institution of higher learning with an interest in conservation and animals. This is an unpaid internship requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week for no less than three months. Shifts must be completed in four-hour increments. Hours and days are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- May-July | Accepting applications for this session Feb. 22–March 22
- July-September | Accepting applications for this session April 22–May 22
- September-November | Accepting applications for this session June 22–July 22
- November-January | Accepting applications for this session Aug. 22–Sept. 22
- January-March | Accepting applications for this session Oct. 22–Nov. 22
- March-May | Accepting applications for this session Dec. 22–Jan. 22
Interviews for Animal Care Intern positions take place in a group format, and may take up to 2.5 hours. During these sessions, a short orientation is followed by individual interviews.
Fee
Long-term Animal Care, Zoo Naturalist and Event Rental Volunteer positions require a $20 fee on their first day. This fee covers the cost of their handbook, shirt, and background check. Fee is waived for internships.
Short-Term Opportunities
Work with Cosley Zoo staff to plan and develop a small garden with the purpose of providing food for our resident animals. This volunteer position requires a 3 hour per week commitment from May through October or when the harvest is complete.
Must be 17 years of age or older.
This program is closed for the 2013 summer season. Applications for Summer 2014 will be available beginning in March 2014.
Who are Summer Teen Volunteers?
Summer Teen Volunteers are young adults in grades 7 through 12 (ages 13 to 17) who have an exceptional interest in animals and the environment. Summer Teen Volunteers will assist the Education Department by providing a range of interactive experiences for visitors. The volunteer program encourages teens to learn responsibility, develop job and career skills, and grow in their personal conservation ethic. Note that participants work in the education department to assist in programs and do not handle animals or work in animal-related areas. Summer Teen Volunteers are accepted into the program based on the application and an interview.
What is the commitment?
The Summer Teen Volunteer program is seasonal beginning with training in May and shifts will run from June through August. Each Summer Teen Volunteer must commit to a 2-1/2 hour shift each week from June through August.
Volunteer Application
If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to complete an online application. Select "Volunteer" under Category Vacancies.
Internship Application
If you are interested in an unpaid internship, please click here to complete an online application. Select "Cosley Zoo" under Category Vacancies.
Are You a Teen?
In addition to some of the short-term volunteer opportunities listed above, individuals in grades 7 through 12 may visit our Junior Zookeeper page to find out how to get involved.
