Volunteer Opportunities

Can you lend a few hours each month? Whatever your talents, gifts and skills are, there is a place for you at the Kansas City Zoo.

Team Habitat Volunteers – These helpers meet one Saturday a month helping different departments of the Zoo doing such activities as planting bulbs, mulching, painting doors, cleaning/reorganizing zoo grounds after big special events, and clearing brush.  Team Habitat meets 9 am - noon one Saturday per month from March until November and requires at least 15 hours (5 work days) per year to be active in the next year’s program.

Special Event Volunteers – Excitement is never-ending at the Zoo.  Monthly special events assistance is needed that include helping our mascots/characters, assisting with crafts, crowd control, setting up and tearing down activity stations, handing out agendas and other projects depending upon the event.  Volunteers primarily work weekends rather than during the week.  This program requires at least 20 hours of service each year.

ZooScaper Volunteers – Are you all green?  These volunteers work with the Horticulture Department on variety of outdoor projects ranging from light physical duty such as planting or mulching to more physically challenging projects like removing deadfall and brush. Volunteers generally work weekdays and requires 30 hours of volunteer work each year to be active in the next year’s ZooScaper program.

Summer Docents – Looking for fun in the outdoors?  These volunteers help with a variety of activities in our high traffic area locations and exhibits, such as the Tropics and Lorikeets.  This opportunity is perfect for those who cannot make a year long commitment.  Summer docents volunteer during our busy season between April and October, and require 30 hours of service (4-5 hours per month) to be active in the next year’s program.   

Zoo Ambassadors - Ambassador Volunteers assist in the guest relations department, primarily in admissions greeting guests or helping with our rides assisting guests.  Zoo Ambassadors can also assist with the office operations side of the Zoo with projects like data processing, special mailings, stocking shelves in the gift shop and other support activities.  This program requires a commitment of 3 hours per week between the months of April and October.

All volunteers must complete a background check and attend an orientation prior to becoming active.  A $30 material fee is required for your uniform shirt, ID badge and background check.  Volunteer orientations are held monthly beginning in March.

For more information, please contact Carol Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@fotzkc.org or call 816-513-5728.  You can also get more information at our volunteer link on the zoo home page:  www.kansascityzoo.org  - click on the volunteer link at the top of the page!