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Volunteer at the wildest place in town!
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has a long history of providing meaningful opportunities through volunteer service. Zoo volunteers are families, adults, youth and students, seniors, corporate and community groups, and more - people just like you!
Every year, hundreds of volunteers donate over 28,000 hours of time and effort to fulfill The Zoo’s mission of education, conservation, recreation, and research. Volunteers help with everything "Zoo," from education and special events to horticulture and animal care. The Zoo offers volunteer positions for people with all types of schedules and interests. If you like animals and people apply today!
Youth Volunteer Opportunities:
The Junior Zoo Crew is a fun and rewarding volunteer program for students ages 14-17 with an interest in animal science, horticulture, education, conservation, Zoo operations, and most importantly, volunteering.
Throughout the program, we teach teens about The Zoo's mission, its animal inhabitants, careers available at the Zoo, and its significant role in conservation while engaging them in important group service projects. Upon completion of the first summer, participants may be accepted into the Junior Keeper program, where they serve as Keeper Aid volunteers. JZC hours may be used to complete the Maryland State Service Learning requirement.
Applications for JZC 2008 are now available. Click here to download the Junior Zoo Crew 2008 application. Application due date is May 15 th , 2008 (Early admission deadline April 7 th , 2008).
| Youth Special Events Volunteering |
| Youth of all ages are welcome to volunteer at Zoo Special events! Special Events Volunteering is perfect for youth who want to
help, but are not able
to make a regular commitment or are not old enough for Junior Zoo Crew. Join us in making The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore special events fun and exciting! Assist with annual events such as ZooBooo!, Spring Fling, the Membership Picnic, Zoomerang! and more. To become a Special Events Volunteer please contact the Volunteer Department at 443-552-5266 , complete our Online Application Youth ages 12-15 are welcome to volunteer alongside an accompanying adult volunteer. |
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| Adult Volunteer Opportunities:
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To inquire about one of the following adult volunteer positions, please contact the Volunteer Department at 443-552-5266 , complete our Online Application , or download the Adult Volunteer Application (pdf), complete and mail to this address:
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
c/o Volunteer Department
Druid Hill Park
Baltimore , MD 21217 |
| On-Grounds EdZOOcators |
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EdZOOcators teach Zoo visitors about wild life and wild places and promote conservation education. Specialized training will prepare you to interpret animal exhibits and share exciting information with visitors by using natural items and hands-on activities at EdZOOcation Stations throughout the Zoo. With higher-level training, senior EdZOOcators may give tours, lead classes, support Zoomobiles and other activities of our Education Programs. Weekly or bi-weekly availability and commitment of at least six months required. Flexible scheduling, seven days a week, 2 - 4 hours per shift. |
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| Education Assistants |
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Don’t like to teach but enjoy participating in fun, hands-on educational activities? Education Assistants work with Zoo instructors both at The Zoo and in the community. Activities may include greeting visiting school groups; facilitating craft and educational activities; art projects and storytelling; and demonstrating ecology, biology and conservation issues using biofacts or artifacts. Training required. Weekly or bi-weekly availability and commitment of at least four months required. Flexible scheduling, seven days a week, 2 - 4 hours per shift. |
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| Keeper Aids |
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Keeper Aids work behind the scenes assisting zoo keepers caring for and enriching the lives of Zoo mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians. Tasks may include diet preparation and distribution, habitat maintenance, or other tasks essential to the health of the animals. Work is strenuous and dirty, perfect for someone looking for a physical challenge. Must provide proof of a recent negative TB test. Weekly availability and six month or longer commitment required. Seven days a week, flexible hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, mornings preferred. |
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| Administrative Support |
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Don’t like getting wet? Our busy staff rely on volunteers to enter data, file, make and receive phone calls, prepare mailings and much more. Departments may include Finance,Membership,Marketing, Development, Public Relations, Education and others. Weekly or bi-weekly,Monday through Friday, flexible hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. |
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| Farmyard KidZone Attendant |
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The Farmyard is home to domesticated animals such as cows, pigs, goats and more. KidZone volunteers assist by monitoring public contact with the animals and interacting with visitors of all ages. KidZone Attendants must enjoy caring for animals as well as educating and assisting large numbers of children. Weekly or bi-weekly, flexible hours, times and days of week vary seasonally. |
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| Horticulture Volunteer |
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No green thumb required! Assist the Zoo’s Horticulture staff with bed preparation, digging, planting, weeding, mulching, raking and maintaining our indoor and outdoor plants and gardens. Indoor tasks include assisting with clerical work, cleanup and maintenance. This is a great opportunity for individuals, families and large groups of all ages! On-the-job training and equipment provided. Monday through Friday, flexible hours, 7:30am to 4:30pm. |
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| Special Events Support and Group Projects |
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Want to help, but not able to make a regular commitment? Join us in making The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore special events fun and exciting! Assist with annual events such as ZooBooo!, Spring Fling, the Membership Picnic, Zoomerang! and more. Short-term and one-day service activities include projects in Maintenance, Horticulture, Membership , Marketing, Guest Relations and Fundraising. On-the-job training and equipment provided.
To sign-up to receive regular information on upcoming Special Events volunteer opportunities please join our MDZoo Events yahoo group! You will have access to the event volunteer calendar and group messages. Just click the Yahoo groups button below:
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| How to Apply: |
To inquire about one of the above volunteer positions, please contact the Volunteer Department at 443-552-5266 , complete our Online Application, or download the Adult Volunteer Application (pdf), complete and mail to this address:
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
c/o Volunteer Department
Druid Hill Park
Baltimore , MD 21217
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| Educational Internships |
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Internships give students the opportunity to gain college credit for supervised work and learning experiences, while introducing students to professional skills and responsibilities in a career field of interest. In order to maintain the highest level of quality in our internships, we offer a limited number of opportunities per semester, and the competition can be intense . Internship candidates should submit: a Volunteer Application, a school transcript (a copy will suffice), a resume, and brief essays explaining (1) your goals and how this internship will help you to achieve those goals, (2) skills, activities, experience and/or classes that are relevant to this internship, and (3) your school's requirements for internship credit, and start and end dates of your availability.
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Please note that:
Internships are unpaid, and there is no reimbursement for transportation or housing.
Internships may require a minimum of 100 hours or more, with at least a weekly commitment for a semester.
For timely consideration we strongly recommend applications be turned in by March 1st for summer semester, June 1st for fall semester and October 1st for spring semester.
To inquire about internships for college level academic credit, please contact the Volunteer Department at 443-552-5266 , complete our Online Application, or download the Adult Volunteer Application (pdf) , complete and mail to this address:
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
c/o Volunteer Department
Druid Hill Park
Baltimore , MD 21217
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| Benefits of Volunteering at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore |
- 20% discount on purchases in Zoo gift shops
- 30% on food and beverages at Zoo concessions areas
- Volunteer newsletter with wildlife news and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore happenings
- Invitation to Zoo Volunteer Recognition Events
- Opportunity to participate in conservation-related field trips and lectures
- Free Maryland Zoo in Baltimore membership for higher levels of service
- Free admission to the Zoo
- Free parking
Qualifications:
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore needs volunteers who are:
- Friendly and outgoing
- Genuinely interested in conservation of wild life and wild places
- Ready to make and fulfill a regular hours commitment
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