Both serious-amateur and professional photographers will have a chance to improve their skills and contribute digital images, slides, prints and other photographic services to the Zoo. The group meets monthly, and Zoo membership is required. Click here for more information.

Career Internships

Career internships offer ambitious individuals a chance to gain valuable work experience in an exciting and dynamic atmosphere. We seek professionally-minded, motivated, energetic and capable people for our high-level internship positions. Click here for more information.

Children's Zoo

Want to find out what it is like to be a zookeeper? Join the Children's Zoo team and get hands-on experience with a wide variety of domestic and exotic animals. Learn about and participate in zookeeping duties by caring for the animal collection, working in the petting yard, assisting with live animal presentations and educational stations and helping to create animal enrichment "toys". This is the best volunteer opportunity for hands-on animal care.

Conservation Stewards

Conservation Stewards provide interpretation and support for our seasonal exhibits between April and October. Successful volunteers will engage guests in conservation conversations highlighted by the exhibit. Conservation Stewards may work alone or be paired with education staff and volunteers.

The program is now closed for this year.  Check back in late winter for information about next summer’s program.

Docents

Docents participate in a variety of programs to support the Zoo. They give guided tours, ranging from general tours to special tours on adaptations, endangered species, habitats, Zoo horticulture, art and architecture. Docents also staff Just Ask carts and mobile stations located throughout the Zoo using artifacts and biofacts to engage the public in conversation, answer questions and serve as interpreters of the animal kingdom. Click here for more information.

Hospitality Team

Help the Zoo put its best foot forward by meeting, greeting and helping visitors enjoy their time in our garden. Hospitality Team members volunteer at special events during and after Zoo hours. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be willing to work outdoors and on their feet for their several hours at a time, and should have customer service experience. Requires a commitment of 6 shifts per year.  

To join, applicants must submit a volunteer application with completed PA Criminal Background Check and PA Child Abuse Clearance (refer to http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/participate/Volunteer.htm to download forms). Qualified applicants are invited to attend an orientation which are offered in September and March.

Night Flight Volunteer Crew

Night Flight is a night jam packed with activities for kids ages 6-12. You will be working side by side with the Night Flight staff to help guests create memories to last a lifetime!

We meet every Friday and Saturday Evening from 6pm-10:30pm in the Philadelphia Zoo Treehouse. Crew members greet guests, provide support for Night Hikes and assist with themed activities throughout the evening. This is a high-energy program and we are seeking volunteers who can walk briskly for 30 minutes, lift 25 lbs and stand for extended periods of time. Previous experience working with children is a big plus!

Night Flight runs every Friday and Saturday evening in October, November and January through June. Night Flight crew members are required to volunteer for at least two shifts per month.

Office Assistance

Assist the Zoo by offering your office skills in accounting, animal records, development, education, graphics, human resources, marketing, membership, nutrition, pathology and volunteer departments. Assignments are Monday through Friday. Computer skills are a plus!

*NEW OPPORTUNITY*  Outreach Volunteer

Join the region’s premiere live animal educational program to teach thousands about animals and what we can do to help protect our precious natural resources. Outreach volunteers ride along with Traveling Educators to help support conservation education across the Delaware Valley! We will provide all of the information that you need to be a part of our team. This is a high energy program and we are seeking active volunteers who can talk with our guests about conservation and animals.

Requires a commitment of two shifts per month. Weekday shifts are scheduled between 7am to 2pm and weekend shifts are scheduled between 9am to 8pm. Previous experience working with children and adults is a big plus.

Tree Stewards

As part of its Footprints conservation program, the Philadelphia Zoo is partnering with Fairmount Park and Temple University to develop a reforestation-based carbon offset project right here in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. In addition to helping address climate change, planting Footprints trees in key sections of the Park will significantly increase the density of currently thinning forests that would not have otherwise regenerated. These same trees will sequester carbon dioxide as well as increase wildlife habitat, support biodiversity and, due to their close proximity to urban an area, assist with stormwater management and help to reduce the urban heat island effect. Volunteers are needed to monitor and care for these trees. Click here for more information.