Adult Volunteer Opportunities

Docent Program

Training for the 2010 docent class started in February, 2010.  Applications for the 2011 class will be accepted starting Nov. 1, 2010.

As a Zoo Docent, you will assist the Education Department with a variety of programs. Docents present tours, classroom presentations, animal demonstrations, off ground programs, and a variety of onsite, hands on activities.

The Docent Program is intense and requires 60 hours of direct contact with our guests each year. A 12 week (1 class per week) training course is required. Training classes are held once a year in the spring.

You must be 21 years old and a high school graduate to participate; a college degree is preferred. Due to high contact with the public docents must be able to pass a background check. An interview is also required.  Due to the integrity of this program, the zoo reserves the right to suggest other volunteer opportunities that are a better fit.  A training fee of $100 is required for the first year and then an additional fee is required each year in order to participate in the Docent Program.

Summer Docent Program (April through October)

As a Summer Docent, you will assist the Zoo with a variety of hands on activities in our high traffic areas, such as the Tropics, Snakes ALIVE and the Lorikeet Aviary.

The Summer Docent Program is perfect for those who cannot make a year round commitment and requires a minimum of 30 hours of service per summer. Three training sessions are required.  Must be 18 years old and a high school graduate to participate, and also must pass a background check.  A materials fee of $30 is required for the first year in order to participate in the Summer Docent Program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service. 

Zoo Ambassadors  (April - October)

Zoo Ambassadors work a 3-hour shift each week from April-October assisting as a member of the guest services or membership team. Volunteer stations include admissions, gift shops, food and beverage locations and rides. 

Zoo Ambassadors may also choose to assist the with the operations side of the Zoo. Projects range from data processing, stocking shelves in the gift shop, assisting with special mailings, and other support activities for various departments. 

Volunteers need to be able to stand the duration of their shift, and commit to 3 hours per week from April-October.  This program requires 1 training session, plus additional training depending on the task. Must be 18 years old to participate. A materials fee of $30 is required for the first year in order to participate in the Zoo Ambassador program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service. 

 

Team Habitat/Zooscapers  (March - November)

A Team Habitat volunteer assists with projects for all the departments at the Zoo as part of a team.  Projects range from light physical duty such as planting bulbs and painting doors, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall, cleaning/reorganizing Zoo areas after big special events, pruning and clearing brush.

Team Habitat meets the 2nd Saturday of the month, March-November from 9 am-noon, and requires at least 15 hours (5 work days) a year minimum to be considered for the next year’s program.   One training session is required.

A ZooScaper volunteer is a more individualized program that assists with projects for the Horticultural Department. Projects range from light physical duty such as planting, weeding, mulching, and watering, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall and clearing brush. The ZooScapers program requires 30 hours of volunteer work each year in order to participate in the next year’s program.

Various time commitments are available, generally Monday-Friday, and requires one training session, plus additional training depending on the task. Opportunities are available March-October.

A materials fee of $30 for adults is required for the first year in order to participate in the Team Habitat/ZooScaper Program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service. 

For more information, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 816-513-5728, or send e-mail to: volunteer@fotzkc.org.


Special Event Volunteers

Special Event Volunteers are a group of people who are available to help specifically with Special Events on a consistent basis, such as our Second Saturday Kid's Fun Fest, Fourth Saturday Zoo Tales, Sunset Safaris and more. 

Activities include helping with crafts, crowd control, special event characters, set-up/tear down and many others. Special Event volunteers will receive emails annually with opportunities to volunteer at the Zoo. This program requires a minimum of 30 hours per year to be considered for next year's program. 

Children ages 14 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult who has completed the volunteer training session.  Adults must complete and pass a background check. One training session is required. 

This program requires a minimum of 30 hours per year to be considered for next year's program.  An adult volunteer must accompany each youth volunteer while at the Zoo. Adults must complete volunteer training and pass a background check.  A materials fee for adults of $30 is required for the first year to participate in Special Events Volunteer Program, and fee for youth volunteers including adult volunteer chaperone is $45.  A $15 fee will be charged for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service.