• zoo guide presenting in front of teenagers
  1. Home
  2. Support
  3. Volunteer
Share this page:

Become a Volunteer Today!

Become a Volunteer Today!

Donating more than 90,000 hours of time each year, volunteers provide invaluable support to the Zoo's two facilities: The Smithsonian's National Zoo, located in Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, located in Front Royal, Virginia. Opportunities for volunteering include aiding animal keepers, interpreting animal behavior for visitors, maintaining Zoo grounds and gardens, and assisting with special events. Current Volunteer Login 

Volunteer at the Zoo

children listening to a volunteer presentation

Volunteer opportunities at the Zoo include education, Zoo support, special events, and group projects.

Volunteer at SCBI

red panda

Volunteer programs at the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute, located in Front Royal, Virginia, fall into two categories: education and zoo support.

Teen Volunteers

two goats playing
Safari Day Camp class aides assist camp teachers with supervising campers ages 5 through 12 as they explore the lives and habitats of animals and worldwide conservation efforts to protect them.

Become a Volunteer!

Volunteers have the opportunity to learn about animals and help educate the public about conservation and animal care.

Age requirement: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to apply for most positions, including keeper aides, behavior watchers, education interpreters, and some special events. During the summer months, there is a volunteer program for teens, ages 13 and up. An interest in animals and conservation is a must.

Time commitment: Most volunteer programs require at least a 1-year commitment due to the extensive training required. Keeper aides are required to do one full-day shift or one half-day shift each week for the year. Other programs, including education interpreters, require a set number of shifts per month. Please see each position posting for information on requirements for that particular program. Short-term opportunities are available assisting with special events and office projects as they arise.

Recruitment Process: Each volunteer opportunity has an application and interview process. Please submit your application as outlined in the position description. If accepted, full-time volunteers must pass a Smithsonian background check, complete initial training, become a FONZ member in their first year of volunteering (volunteers receive a 25% discount on FONZ memberships), and pay the orientation/training fee.* Please be aware that some Zoo support positions may also require proof of certain vaccinations.

*Current fees are $20 for Zoo support positions and $30 for education/behavior watch positions (fee includes volunteer shirt and name badge). Options are available for individuals for whom the fees and membership may not be manageable; please speak to the contact person listed for the position you are interested in for available options.

 

 

Volunteer benefits include:

  • Free parking while at the Zoo for volunteer shifts
  • Discounts at Zoo gift shops
  • Discounts at Mane Grill and food locations with a cash register
  • Select FONZ event tickets available at the reduced member price
  • Use of the FONZ library and volunteer lounge/kitchen
  • A discount when joining FONZ
  • Invitations to annual volunteer appreciation events
  • Supplemental accident insurance for out-of-pocket medical expenses for injuries that occurred while volunteering
  • Free membership in the Volunteer Association at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering

While volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the amazing animals living at the Zoo, there are no volunteer opportunities that work directly with animals or involve touching an animal.

Yes! We offer one-day or short-term volunteer opportunities at special events like Boo at the Zoo, ZooFari, and ZooLights, as well as a limited number of group "day of service" volunteer opportunities. Occasionally, when the need arises, we recruit volunteers for short-term positions, ranging in duration from one day to a few weeks. Please check the currently recruiting page for these opportunities. Due to the extensive training, as well as health and safety requirements, there are no short-term keeper aide or interpretive program opportunities. 

Frequency of volunteer postings depends on the type of position and the current needs of the Zoo.

Education positions are posted approximately three times each calendar year, typically in fall, winter, and early spring. The Zoo Guide program typically trains once a year, in January and February, with the remaining trainings rotating through the other education programs depending upon need. We do not recruit for every education program each year.

Support positions (keeper aides, behavior watchers, etc.) are posted on an as-needed basis.

Special event positions are typically posted one month before the event takes place and remain posted until the day of the event or until we have reached our capacity for volunteers. Events we recruit for annually include Easter Monday: A Washington Family Tradition (April), ZooFari (May), Brew at the Zoo (July), Boo at the Zoo (October), Night of the Living Zoo (October), and ZooLights (November through December).

SCBI is the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. This facility, which houses research programs and vulnerable species, is located in Front Royal, Virginia, roughly 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. Both SCBI and the Smithsonian's National Zoo have volunteer opportunities. Learn more about SCBI.

We offer a teen volunteer program in the summer for ages 13 through 17. Recruiting for this program begins in early February, so mark your calendar! To learn more about the program, including how to apply and what the interview process is like, please see the teen volunteer opportunities. For students under the age of 13, we recommend you find out more about our camps and classes.

Visit Wildlife Careers to find everything from the education and experience needed to work in this field to profiles of different zoo careers. The Zoo sometimes holds career programs where you will have the opportunity to ask animal keepers, veterinarians, researchers, scientists, and other zoo professionals your questions about careers in zoos and wildlife conservation. The Zoo hosts these programs for middle, high school, and college-aged students throughout the year.

We are unable to accommodate requests to shadow or interview animal care and science staff at the Zoo. Learn about wildlife careers.

Volunteering at the Zoo will count for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours if your school includes the Smithsonian's National Zoo/Friends of the National Zoo on their list of approved institutions.

The Zoo does not offer court-ordered community service.

Please feel free to contact us

Also, check your junk/spam folder to make sure it's not there.

.