Join our amazing team of volunteers as you help us further our mission and impact the guests that come through the door. People from all walks of life are welcomed. Our volunteer department has an opportunity for you!

Volunteer Opportunities:

All opportunities are geared towards guest engagement and service. Everything we do at the zoo should touch stone our mission to have people care about and protect wildlife. Listed below are all of our opportunities. Please note that some of these options may require additional training and/or additional interviews after being accepted as a volunteer.

All volunteers have to complete 20 hours as an Interpretive Volunteer before they can be considered for another position.

All opportunities

• Interpretive Volunteer
  • Engage with guests in front of zoo exhibits using interpretive skills and utilizing hands on BioFacts
• Education Program Assistant
  • The education department hosts many onsite programs. Help this team set up, tear down, and teach programs during the year
• Zoo Events
  • The zoo’s special events department puts on fundraisers during the year to help generate revenue for the zoo. Help with one of our many events by engaging guests and running stations for those events
• Horticulture
  • Our greenery around the zoo makes our place special and beautiful, help our grounds team maintain our plants and assist in taking care of our enrichment gardens behind the scenes
• Keeper Aide
  • Join one of our animal care departments helping to care for Mammals, Birds & Small Mammals, Reptiles, or Animal Ambassadors
• Volunteer Diver
  • Here at the zoo, we have a large Salt Water aquarium that volunteer divers help us maintain and clean weekly
  • Must be SCUBA certified prior to applying

How Do You Join!?

1. Complete a Volunteer Application
   1. Applications open December 15^th through January 15^th
   2. Applications open October 1^st through November 1^st
2. Complete an interview with CPZ Volunteer Staff
   1. Once you complete an application, they will reach out to you for an interview
3. Pay a non-refundable $45 program fee (only if selected into the volunteer program). Fee waivers are available for select volunteers
4. Pass a criminal background check executed by the City of Waco
5. Get proof of a negative TB test
6. Attend a Volunteer Orientation
   1. During the interview staff will let you know the date options for orientation
      1. February 1^st 6pm or February 5^th 10am
      2. November 13^th 10am or November 15^th 6pm
7. Attend a Guest Service training and Interpretive training
   1. Dates will be available at orientation
   2. Feb 19^th 10am or Feb 22^nd 6pm
   3. Nov 20^th 10am or Nov 22^nd 6pm

General Requirements to Volunteer:

• Completed application and interview
• Signed Liability Release Form
• Completed Background Check
• Copy of Driver’s License on file
• Proof of negative TB test on file
• Must commit to one year of volunteering, minimum of 4 hours per month (unless otherwise specified)
• Signed acknowledgement of receipt of Volunteer Guidelines and Contract
• Training fee – $45.00
• Completion of online training and attendance at training sessions
• Completion of required observations
• Cameron Park Zoo Membership

Volunteer Benefits

• Family Membership if you contribute 200 volunteer hours/year
• Free training and supervision from qualified staff members
• Continuing Education opportunities
• Special events notices and invitations to exhibit openings, etc.
• Current updates on zoo business and happenings
• An invitation to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Event
• Awards for hours of service
• Letters of recommendation upon request