Volunteers

"We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give."
~Winston Churchill

Above all else, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is dedicated to the preservation of the Earth's natural resources. We are proud to invite members of the community that share our passion to join our team as a volunteer. Whether you are interested in plants, animals or people, we’ve got a job for you!

For specific questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (405) 425-0275 or mkesler@okczoo.com.

Teen/Student Volunteers

Interested in what goes on behind the scenes at the Zoo? We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic teens to join our programs. Selected teens volunteer with keepers and staff to see what it takes to run the zoo and inspire the next generation.

View Job Shadow program details

View Junior Curator FAQs

View Junior Curator Application

2012 Junior Curator Recruitment

Must between 14 and 18 years of age.
Applications available May 1 – May 31 on this page and at Guest Relations.
Complete and return an application by the June 15 deadline.
Attend the mandatory group interview on June 14.
Attend a mandatory individual interview (dates announced at group interview).
Notifications are mailed to applicants in August.
Students accepted into the Junior Curator program begin in September.

Junior Curators are selected once a year. Prospective volunteers and their parents may attend an open house and meeting on May 1 or May 10 at 6:00 pm in the Rosser Conservation Education Center.

Animal Area Volunteers

Assist our Zoo Keepers with their animal husbandry duties. Work behind the scenes to help clean, and maintain our animal exhibits and enrich the lives of our animal residents. A perfect fit for those looking to get experience in the field of zoology. Please note there is no unauthorized contact with animals!

View the Animal Area Volunteer job description.

2012 Recruitment

Must be 18 years or older.
Animal Area recruitment is May 5, Aug 4 and Oct 6.
Orientation and paperwork begins at 10 am in the Rosser Conservation Education Center, immediately followed by staff interviews.

Education Volunteers

Educate the public about our award-winning plant and animal collection. Work on zoo grounds and in the Education Center with a variety of props and biofacts. All Education volunteers start out as Zoo Ambassadors, but may participate in additional training to become an Education Interpreter after 6 months.

View the Ambassador and Interpreter job descriptions

2012 Recruitment

Must be 18 years or older.

Education recruitment is Feb 4.

Orientation and paperwork begins at 10 am in the Rosser Conservation Education Center, immediately followed by staff interviews.

Group Volunteers

The Oklahoma City Zoo depends on volunteers for assistance in many areas of the Zoo.
Our Corporate Volunteer Program offers groups of corporate volunteers the opportunity to participate in the hands-on work of keeping our Zoo in top form. Volunteers may assist staff with a variety of different types of designated projects designed to be enjoyable and fulfilling; giving you and your employees a sense of ownership in the Zoo.

View the Group Volunteer job description.

Horticulture Volunteers

Use your green thumb to help our Horticulture team maintain our accredited Botanical Garden. Learn from our garden masters as they care for our 110 acres, including an onsite green house.

View the Horticulture Volunteer job description.

2012 Recruitment

Must be 18 years or older.
Horticulture recruitment is May 5, Aug 4 and Oct 6.
Orientation and paperwork begins at 10 am in the Rosser Conservation Education Center, immediately followed by staff interviews.

Special Event Volunteers

Don’t have a lot of time? Join us for a Special Event! Work with our staff and dedicated volunteers to help share our message.

In October, we celebrate Haunt the Zoo for Halloween and looking for energetic volunteers for this “spook”tacular event in the evenings from October 26th thru the 31st. All other events take place on weekends during the spring.

View the Special Event job description.

Internships

The Oklahoma City Zoo offers internships for college students in a variety of study areas within the Zoo. This opportunity allows students an opportunity to learn essential skills and gain hands-on experience in animal husbandry, horticulture, conservation education, museum studies, or marketing/public relations. If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (405) 425-0275.

View Internship Progarm Summary

View Internship Application Form