Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Home

Adult Volunteers

Volunteers make a difference at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo!

Our energetic and dedicated Adult Volunteers contribute their time and talent to assist zoo guests and provide operational support.

Volunteer Levels

The zoo’s Adult Volunteer Program includes two tiers: Basic and Ambassador. All new applicants begin at the Basic level. You can then choose to take more training and add a wider range of duties to your volunteer activities.

Please take a moment to read the position descriptions for each level of the Adult Volunteer Program:

All adult volunteers must be at least 18 years old and enjoy working with people, complete an application, obtain a letter of reference, and undergo a background check.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Volunteer Position Description
POSITION TITLE: Zoo Basic Volunteer
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Volunteer Programs Manager

POSITION PURPOSE:
Zoo Basic volunteers enthusiastically provide great service to zoo guests of all ages. Zoo Basic volunteers also assist area keepers in staffing necessary positions during peak operational times. Volunteers are not paid for their services.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Monitor guest interactions with animals in the goat yard
  • Sell animal food to zoo guests in the goat yard, giraffe platform, and Stingray Bay areas
  • Assist with zoo special events
  • Represent the zoo in a positive manner by maintaining a positive attitude and delivering exceptional guest service
  • Actively contribute to positive guest experiences
  • Serve as a team player at the zoo by supporting the zoo’s mission

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older and be a high school graduate or have equivalent certification
  • Must pass a criminal background check
  • Must agree to comply with the zoo’s appearance guidelines: visible tattoos on the face or neck are not permitted and tattoos that are considered reasonably offensive are not permitted. No visible body piercings except on the ears or one small nose stud (no larger than 2.5mm) are permitted. For safety, hoop earrings worn in ears must be smaller than the size of a quarter. Ear gauges are not permitted. Only one non-natural hair color is allowed.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or access to reliable transportation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The requirements listed below are required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Must be reliable and punctual
  • Must be capable of working alone with minimal supervision
  • Friendly, outgoing personality to interact with guests of all ages
  • Ability to verbally communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audience ages
  • Ability to handle cashless transactions
  • Must attend and complete all pertinent orientation/training sessions and testing requirements
  • Must be committed to providing excellent guest service and be able to do so in a fast paced environment
  • Minimum of 1 year commitment is required, with at least 30 hours of basic volunteer shift service

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the day
  • Good speaking and listening skills
  • Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing and dexterity
  • Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail
  • Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, hot or muddy conditions.
  • Ability to interact with others in a professional manner
  • Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds without assistance
  • This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt and dust

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Volunteer Position Description
POSITION TITLE: Zoo Ambassador Volunteer
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Volunteer Programs Manager

POSITION PURPOSE:
Zoo Ambassador Volunteers enthusiastically provide great service to zoo guests of all ages. Zoo Ambassador Volunteers also assist the zoo’s education department by skillfully delivering educational programs to audiences of all ages. Volunteers are not paid for their services.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Share educational information with zoo guests through tours and informal presentations
  • Deliver fun-filled educational programs to audiences both at the zoo and off-site
  • Assist with zoo special events
  • Represent the zoo in a positive manner by maintaining a positive attitude and delivering exceptional guest service
  • Actively contribute to positive guest experiences
  • Serve as a team player at the zoo by supporting the zoo’s mission

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older and be a high school graduate or have equivalent certification
  • Must pass a criminal background check
  • Must agree to comply with the zoo’s appearance guidelines: visible tattoos on the face or neck are not permitted and tattoos that are considered reasonably offensive are not permitted. No visible body piercings except on the ears or one small nose stud (no larger than 2.5mm) are permitted. For safety, hoop earrings worn in ears must be smaller than the size of a quarter. Ear gauges are not permitted. Only one non-natural hair color is allowed.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or access to reliable transportation
  • Must have fulfilled requirements of Basic Volunteer (30 hours of shift service)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The requirements listed below are required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Must be reliable and punctual
  • Must be capable of working alone with minimal supervision
  • Friendly, outgoing personality to interact with guests of all ages
  • Ability to verbally communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audience ages
  • Ability to handle cashless transactions
  • Excellent organizational, presentation and motivational skills
  • Strong interest in zoo education with knowledge of wildlife and natural history
  • Must attend and complete all pertinent orientation/training sessions and testing requirements
  • Must be committed to providing excellent guest service and be able to do so in a fast paced environment
  • Minimum of 1 year commitment is required, with at least 60 hours of Ambassador Volunteer shift service

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the day
  • Good speaking and listening skills
  • Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing and dexterity
  • Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail
  • Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, hot or muddy conditions.
  • Ability to interact with others in a professional manner
  • Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds without assistance
  • This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt and dust

Apply to Volunteer

Ready to take the next step? Great! Apply to volunteer in two easy steps:
1) Complete an application online

2) Download and print 2 Recommendation Forms, to be completed by two unrelated adults over the age of 18 and returned to us at:

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Attn: Volunteer Programs Manager
3411 Sherman Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Or email to: volunteer@kidszoo.org

Or fax to the attention of the Volunteer Programs Manager at (260) 427-6820

We’ll contact you to arrange an interview so we can get to know you better and place you in the next available training class.

Adult Basic Training

New volunteers must attend one Basic Training Session. There is a $10.00 fee for materials, plus the cost of a uniform shirt. 

2023 Session 1

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – 6-8:30 PM

2023 Session 2

Thursday, June 22, 2023 – 6-8:30 PM

2023 Session 3

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – 6-8:30 PM

Ambassador Level Training

You must fulfill the requirements of Basic Level Volunteer before taking this training class. There is a $5.00 fee for materials.

Want more information?

Contact the Volunteer Office at 260-427-6800 EXT. 302 or volunteer@kidszoo.org

Current Volunteers: Click here to log in to our online scheduling system

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