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: February 15
Projected start month: April
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
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to 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+.
- Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
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Zoo Ambassador
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
This volunteer opportunity is for motivated, independent, gregarious individuals that enjoy answering questions, interacting with guests, and have a passion for animals and conservation. Zoo Ambassadors are trained in educational and guest relations techniques. They assist with admissions, guest services and education.
- Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+.
- Available in both the Summer and Winter Seasons.
- Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Butterfly Garden Ambassador
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo; Summer Season only
Butterfly Garden Ambassador volunteers will join a team helping visitors to Franklin Park Zoo’s Butterfly Hollow exhibit to learn about butterflies and other pollinator insects and the plants they depend on. In addition to helping out guests, these volunteers will also have opportunities to assist our Horticulture and Animal Care staff in maintaining the Butterfly Hollow exhibit and the surrounding pollinator gardens.
- Butterfly Garden Ambassadors must be 16+
- Available in the Summer between Father’s Day weekend and Labor Day weekend
- Butterfly Garden Ambassadors must complete at least one shift per week
- The morning shift is 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- The afternoon shift is 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Wild Bunch
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to 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+.
- Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
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Education Volunteer/The Naturalist
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Education volunteers encourage the public to think and learn about animals, habitats and conservation by helping them understand exhibits, enrichment and animal behaviors in an engaging way. They involve the public with educational tools and kits.
- Education volunteers must be 16+.
- Available after completion of 60 hours in an entry level role.
- Education volunteers must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Petting Zoo Aide
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Petting Zoo Aide volunteers ensure that guests have an enriching experience with animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. Volunteers answer guest questions, monitor guest interaction with Petting Zoo inhabitants, and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.
- Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+.
- 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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Zoo Ambassador
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
This volunteer opportunity is for motivated, independent, gregarious individuals that enjoy answering questions, interacting with guests, and have a passion for animals and conservation. Zoo Ambassadors are trained in educational and guest relations techniques. They assist with admissions, guest services and education.
- Zoo Ambassadors must be 16+.
- Available in both the Summer and Winter Seasons.
- Zoo Ambassadors must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Butterfly Garden Ambassador
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo; Summer Season only
Butterfly Garden Ambassador volunteers will join a team helping visitors to Franklin Park Zoo’s Butterfly Hollow exhibit to learn about butterflies and other pollinator insects and the plants they depend on. In addition to helping out guests, these volunteers will also have opportunities to assist our Horticulture and Animal Care staff in maintaining the Butterfly Hollow exhibit and the surrounding pollinator gardens.
- Butterfly Garden Ambassadors must be 16+
- Available in the Summer between Father’s Day weekend and Labor Day weekend
- Butterfly Garden Ambassadors must complete at least one shift per week
- The morning shift is 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- The afternoon shift is 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Gardener
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Gardener volunteers assist in the preparation, installation and maintenance of Zoo New England park grounds.
- Gardener volunteers must be 18+.
- Only available during Summer Season.
- 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
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Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Assists Commissary staff in daily routine and provides quality, professional support to the staff as needed in diet preparation for Zoo animals.
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Education Volunteer/The Naturalist
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Education volunteers encourage the public to think and learn about animals, habitats and conservation by helping them understand exhibits, enrichment and animal behaviors in an engaging way. They involve the public with educational tools and kits.
- Education volunteers must be 16+.
- Available after completion of 60 hours in an entry level role.
- Education volunteers must complete at least one, three-hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Keeper Aide
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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+. There is limited availability for volunteers who are 16+ at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Children’s Zoo area.
- Available after completion of 60 hours in an entry level role.
- 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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Wild Bunch
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Wild Bunch volunteers are needed to 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+.
- Available during Summer and Winter Seasons.
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Photographer
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Photographer volunteers assist Zoo staff in capturing engaging photographs of Zoo animals, grounds, and staff.
- Photographer volunteers must be 18+
- Available during Summer and Winter Seasons
- Photography portfolio and/or samples will be requested
- Formal training in photography preferred
- Must review and abide by General Photography Rules
Time Commitment:
This role does not have a weekly commitment. Instead, staff email out requests for specific photography projects and the Photographer Volunteers indicate their interest and availability to complete the requested projects.
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Petting Zoo Aide
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| Location: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
Petting Zoo Aide volunteers ensure that guests have an enriching experience with animals that reside in the Petting Zoo. Volunteers answer guest questions, monitor guest interaction with Petting Zoo inhabitants, and enforce Zoo polices to keep everyone safe.
- Petting Zoo volunteers must be 16+.
- 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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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.
Our next group volunteer season will begin in April and run through November. We will begin booking experiences for this season in February. Contact us if you have any questions regarding our Group Volunteer Program.
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+.
