Volunteers are important members of the Zoo New England team. There are many roles for volunteers, including talking with guests about our mission and animals, helping out at our special events, animal care, preparing food for our animals, and much more.
We review volunteer applications for volunteers to start during two time periods each year following the application deadlines listed below. We ask that a volunteer commit to a minimum of a six-month commitment. Volunteers are welcome to continue volunteering after those six months and do not need to reapply to do so.
Spring Start
Deadline for Applications: In honor of National Volunteer week we will be offering a second onboarding for the summer season for a limited number of volunteer slots. The deadline to apply will be 5/4!
Fall Start
Deadline for Applications: July 15
Projected start month: September
Individual volunteer applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a positive attitude
- Be willing to adhere to our policies, procedures, and customer service standards
- Complete an online application, including references
- Demonstrate through an interview that they are interested in the volunteer work and in our mission; that they have fundamental skills and abilities necessary to fulfill the role; and that they are able to meet at least our minimum commitments for the role in terms of the weekly shift and minimum months of volunteer service.
Steps to complete after you are accepted and before you formally start as a ZNE volunteer:
- Attend and complete Orientation
- Attend and complete an Education Interpretation class
Questions? Please see our FAQ page.
Volunteer Opportunities
Wild Bunch (Entry Level Role)
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event breakdown.
- Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+ years old.
- Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
- Time Commitment: This role does not have a weekly commitment. Instead, staff email out requests for specific events Wild Bunch volunteers sign up to help out at events that match their interest and availability.
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Zoo Ambassador (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
This volunteer opportunity assists our Education Department in educating our guests on our animals and the conservation actions we can take to help their species thrive. In their weekly shift, Zoo Ambassadors learn about the many species of animals in our care. They are then stationed at animal exhibits to answer guest questions and inspire them to take conservation actions.
- Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+ years old.
- This role is available in both the summer and winter seasons.
- Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week. The two shifts are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Petting Zoo Aide (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Petting Zoo Aide volunteers work with the Animal Care Department to ensure that guests have an enriching experience with animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. During their shift, volunteers answer guest questions, monitor guest interaction with the domestic species in the Petting Zoo, and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.
- Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+ years old.
- Only available during the summer season
- Petting Zoo Aides must complete at least one, two-hour shift per week. Potential shifts are:
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
- 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Wild Bunch (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event break down.
- Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+ years old.
- Available during summer and winter seasons.
- Time Commitment: This role does not have a weekly commitment. Instead, staff email out requests for specific events, and Wild Bunch volunteers sign up to help out at events that match their interest and availability.
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Education Interpreter
(Advanced Role: Volunteers must complete 60+ hours in an Entry Level role to apply for this role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Education Interpreter volunteers take what they learned as a Zoo Ambassador and advance their knowledge and training to inspire our guests to protect the natural world. They run formal chats at animal exhibits and activities at Discovery Stations. They also engage our guests with live animal presentations to connect guests with our animal ambassadors and inspire them to take conservation action.
- Education Interpreters must be 16+ years old.
- Education Interpreters must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week. The two shifts are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Zoo Ambassador (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
This volunteer opportunity assists our Education Department in educating our guests on our animals and the conservation actions we can take to help their species thrive. In their weekly shift Zoo Ambassadors learn about the many species of animals in our care. They then are stationed at animal exhibits to answer guest questions and inspire them to take conservation actions.
- Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+ years old.
- This role is available in both the summer and winter seasons.
- Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week. The two shifts are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Petting Zoo Aide (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Petting Zoo Aide volunteers work with the Animal Care Department to ensure that guests have an enriching experience with animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. During their shift volunteers answer guest questions, monitor guest interaction with the domestic species in the Petting Zoo, and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.
- Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+ years old.
- Only available during summer season.
- Petting Zoo Aides must complete at least one, two-hour shift per week. Potential shifts are:
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
- 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Gardener (Entry Level Role)
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Gardener volunteers assist our Horticulture Department planting and maintaining the grounds at our zoos. Working with our Horticulturalist, they help ensure that our planting beds are sustainable and provide a green space for local species of plants and animals within our communities.
- Gardener volunteers must be 18+ years old.
- Only available during summer season. Gardener volunteers must complete one shift per week.
- Franklin Park Zoo Availability: Thursdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Stone Zoo Availability: Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Commissary (Entry Level Role)
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Commissary volunteers assist the Commissary Department in diet preparation for our animals. They help ensure our Animal Care Team is able to give our animals a consistently nutritious diet.
- Commissary volunteers must be 18+ years old.
- Available during summer and winter seasons.
- Commissary volunteers must complete at least one, four-hour shift per week. The shifts are 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Wild Bunch (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers assist with special events throughout the year. Volunteers help set up events, staff activity stations for guests of all ages, and help with event breakdown.
- Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+ years old.
- Available during summer and winter seasons.
- Time Commitment: This role does not have a weekly commitment. Instead, staff email out requests for specific events Wild Bunch volunteers sign up to help out at events that match their interest and availability.
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Photographer/Videographer (Entry Level Role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Volunteers assist Zoo staff in capturing engaging photographs and/or videos of Zoo animals, grounds and staff. Volunteer can specialize in photo, video, or both, depending on their interest and skillset.
- Volunteers must be 18+ years old.
- Available during summer and winter seasons
- Related portfolio and/or samples will be requested
- Formal training in photography or videography preferred
- Must review and abide by General Photography/Videography Rules
- Time Commitment: This role does not have a weekly commitment. Instead, staff email out requests for specific photo/video projects and the volunteers indicate their interest and availability to complete the requested projects.
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Education Interpreter
(Advanced role: Volunteers must complete 60+ hours in an Entry Level role to apply for this role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Education Interpreter volunteers take what they learned as a Zoo Ambassador and advance their knowledge and training to inspire our guests to protect the natural world. They run formal chats at animal exhibits and activities at Discovery Stations. They also engage our guests with live animal presentations to connect our guests with our animal ambassadors and inspire them to take conservation action.
- Education Interpreters must be 16+ years old.
- Education Interpreters must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week. The two shifts are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Keeper Aide
(Advanced role: Volunteers must complete 60+ hours in an Entry Level role to apply for this role)
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Keeper Aide volunteers assist the Animal Care Department behind-the-scenes to help provide for the health, safety, care and enrichment of our diverse animal collection.
- Keeper Aide volunteers must be 18+ years old. There is limited availability for volunteers who are 16+ years old at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Children’s Zoo area.
- Keeper Aides must complete at least one, four-hour shift per week.
- For the summer season the morning shift is between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and the afternoon shift is between 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- For the winter season the morning shift is between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and the afternoon shift is between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Looking for a great team-building opportunity? Want to show your support for a community organization with an important mission? Group volunteering offers fulfilling opportunities for community groups and businesses to express their support of Zoo New England's mission. Projects include helping with special events, grounds keeping and special projects. Groups are also encouraged to share their special talents.
Ages 14+
Please note: There must be one 18+ chaperone for every ten participants under the age of 18.
Questions? Please see our FAQ for Group Volunteers.
Contact us for further information on our Group Volunteer Program or to book a group volunteer experience. We are scheduling groups at least six weeks in advance to ensure enough time to coordinate a suitable project.
Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Interested in volunteering, but unable to make a weekly commitment? The Wild Bunch might be the perfect opportunity for you. Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to help with special events. Opportunities involve assisting Zoo staff with our many special events for guests of all ages. Wild Bunch volunteers must be 14+.
