ChattanoogaZoo

There are many ways you can help out at the Zoo. Chances are we have the perfect job to meet your unique set of skills and talent. As a volunteer, you can choose to work with Animal Corps, Education, Guest Services and Special Events.

Animal Corps

The Chattanooga Zoo Animal Corps serves a vital role in the overall functioning and health of the Zoo. Volunteering with this particular department requires a medium to high time commitment on the volunteer’s part as well as a passion for animals and their care.

Different positions within this department are as follows:

Keeper Assistant

Under the direct supervision of the Curator and/or Keeper. Assistants encourage interest in the animals by answering questions and interacting with the public. Work will involve, but is not limited to, feeding and watering animals, cleaning exhibits, washing windows, sweeping pathways and making diets and enrichments.

Requirements:

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Standing for long periods of time, hauling materials over uneven and wet surfaces, frequent bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting items such as bags of feed (up to 50 lbs. or more)
• Tetanus Shot (within 5 years) and a TB Test (within 1 year)

Qualifications:

• Ability to work with a variety of animals, ability to communicate effectively with the public
• Ability to follow 2-3 step directions and complete tasks as assigned and unsupervised
• Previous experience with exotic animals is a plus
• Age: 18 & up

Horticulture/Landscaping

Will operate under the supervision of the Zoo Maintenance Supervisor. Main duties will include daily watering and weeding in the Zoo Art Gardens, as well as assigned special projects (which may include taking cuttings, starting seeds, planting and maintaining ornamental beds, etc.) Volunteer can expect exposure to a wide variety of plants within the Zoo, including tropicals, annuals, perennials, water plants. This opportunity will give hands-on experience and firsthand knowledge of the maintenance and beautification of the Chattanooga Zoo.

Requirements:

• May require long periods of standing or sitting, and frequent bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting items such as hoses and bags of soil and fertilizer
• Requires ability to follow 2-3 step directions and complete tasks as assigned
• Horticulture classes and/or experience with houseplants and/or gardening are a plus
• Age: Must be at least 15 years of age
• Time: Flexible

Dates and times are flexible, but must commit to working at least 8 hours per month. Shifts usually run from 9 am-1 pm or 1 pm-5pm.  

Enrichment

Enrichment volunteers research, design, and assist keepers in implementation of enrichment for the Zoo animal collection. This includes but is not limited to: researching specific animal enrichment activities via Internet or Zoo literature, preparing lists of low cost materials needed for enrichment, assisting in the creation and implementation of animal enrichment activities. Enrichment volunteers will also be involved with creating a wish-list for donations as well as being involved in the Zoo Enrichment Committee.

Requirements:

• Must be creative
• Basic Research Skills
• Requires long periods of standing, hauling materials over uneven and wet surfaces, frequent bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting items such as bags of feed (up to 50 lbs. or more)
• Basic computer skills are a plus
• Time: 8 Hours per month (includes off- and on-site) Must have at least 2 Zoo visits per month for enrichment implication as well as monthly meetings that might be scheduled
• Age: 18 & Up

Nutrition

Under the direct supervision of the General Curator or Assistant Director, Nutrition volunteers assist with diet preparation for animals throughout the zoo. Their work also involves researching animals changing diets and observing specific animals on diets. Work will include, but is not limited to, chopping fruits and vegetables, washing dishes, packing foods for delivery, weighing and measuring produce, weighing out meat and fish products, unloading food deliveries, and cleaning the prep kitchen.

Requirements:

• Nutrition work will be performed indoors
• Requires long periods of standing, hauling materials over uneven and wet surfaces, occasional bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting items such as bags of feed (50 lbs. or more)
• Tetanus Shot (within 5 years) and a TB test (within 1 year)
  
• Time: 9am-12pm Wednesday, Saturday 1pm-5pm Monday and Friday
• Age: 18 and older

Education

The Chattanooga Zoo Education Corps is critical to fulfilling the Chattanooga Zoo’s mission of engaging and inspiring the local community to better understand and preserve wildlife. Volunteering with this department requires a low to medium time commitment on the volunteer’s part as well as a passion for education and awareness-building.

Different positions within this department are as follows:

Interpretive Volunteers

Interpretive Volunteers are specially trained volunteers who do such things as exhibit chats, critter chats, help with teaching on site programs and assist with special events.

Requirements:

• Good oral communication skills
• Be enthusiastic
• Complete 3 training classes dealing with interpretive skills, animal handling and general information, respectively
  
• Have an interest in working with the public, animals and environment
• Must attend all training sessions
• Tetanus Shot (within 5 years)
• Time: 10-1 or 1-4 any day
• Age: 18 & up

Duties:

• Answer guest questions about animals around the Zoo
• Interpret animal facts and behaviors at exhibits 
  
• Extend hospitality and directions to guests touring the Zoo

Training:

Complete 3 training classes that will include: Interpretive Skill training, Animal Handling training, and Informational Training

Education Assistants

Assist Chattanooga Zoo Educators in providing conservation based educational programs to the general public by presenting or assisting with on- or off-site programming ranging from short impromptu on-site “chats” to longer structured off-site programs and festivals.

Requirements:

• Complete 3 training classes dealing with interpretive skills, animal handling and general information, respectively
• Must complete animal handling training
• Good oral communication skills
• Dependable
• Requires long periods of standing, hauling materials over uneven and wet surfaces, frequent bending, stooping, stretching, reaching and lifting
• Time: Times can be am or pm and vary depending on the season; a schedule can be worked out with the Education staff when necessary
• Age: 18 & up

EZO/ZOO Club Instructor

EZO and Zoo Club are two of our premier youth programs put together for aspiring adolescences looking to get involved with the Zoo at a younger age (12-16). Each year from August- April, we need two dedicated educators to help teach this once a month program on specified Saturdays.

Requirements:

• CPR Certified
• Outgoing personality
• A passion for teaching kids
• Some education experience is recommended
• Basic knowledge of computer programs
• Ability to do research via internet
• Pleasant manner, patient and dependable
• Ability to stand or sit for a long period of time and walk across uneven surfaces
• Must be able to reach, stretch, squat and stoop frequently
• Can retain knowledge and teach effectively
• Time: weekly 2 hour meeting for preparation and 9-1 on the 3rd or 4th Saturday of each month (August-April)
• Age: 18 & up

Administrative/Guest Services

Get real life business experience and build your resume while supporting a good cause at the same time! The Chattanooga Zoo is always looking for friendly, resourceful individuals who are interested in representing the organization and interacting with the public. Volunteering in this area requires a low to medium time commitment on the volunteer’s part.

Different positions within this department are as follows:

Member Assistant

Be a part of our Admissions and Membership teams. Help promote and sell annual Zoo memberships. Assist Guest Services staff in answering guest questions, preparing membership promotion materials and mailings, etc.

Requirements:

• Must have good interpersonal communication skills and enjoy working with the general public.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Time: This position requires a commitment of at least one 4 hour shift per month.
• Shifts are from 10am-2pm and 11am-3pm on weekends.
• Age: 16 & up

Guest Relations

Help our guests maximize their time and experience at the Zoo by handing out maps/brochures, giving directions, answering guests’ questions, etc.

Requirements:

• Must be able to stand in outdoor weather conditions
• Must be knowledgeable about exhibit locations, show times, resident animals, zoo operations, etc.
• Must have good interpersonal communication skills and have a friendly, outgoing personality
• Time: Shifts are split up from 10-12,12-2 (Volunteers must spend at least 1 hour passing out maps and greeting at the front lines and then can spend another hour strolling the Zoo giving directions to guests)
• Age: Must be at least 16 years of age

Office Assistant

Under the supervision of the Administrative staff, office assistants help with filing paperwork, answering phones, answering questions about the agency, retrieving and distributing mail, correlating promotional materials and other office work as needed.

Requirements:

• Basic knowledge of computer programs
• Pleasant manner, patient and dependable
• Time: 6 hour commitment at least 3 days per month
• Age: 16 & up

Special Events

Throughout the year, the Zoo hosts a variety of events for the public. Some events are quite large and geared towards fundraising while other events are smaller and designed to provide services for the community. If you like working with people and multi-tasking then this is the department for you. There is never a dull moment!

Different positions within this department are as follows:

Set up Assistant

Assists with pre-event set up, this may include but is not limited to: table and chair set up, decoration, exhibit trimming and cleaning, and possibly helping guest service staff create event packages.

Requirements:

• Must be able to sit or stand at least an hour at a time as well as be able to bend, squat, reach above your head, stretch and lift objects up to 50 lbs.
• Follow 2-3 step directions
• Times: 2 - 4 hour shifts
• Age: 16 & up

Booth Companion

Help run a game booth. Volunteers must be able to deal with small crowds and be friendly with customers.

Requirements:

• Must have a friendly attitude and the ability to sit or stand at a booth for 4 hours
• Time: Various events throughout the year
• Age: 14 & up (14-15 must be accompanied by an adult)

Costume Character

Volunteers here need to be outgoing and not shy. They will be dressed up in a Zoo costume meeting and greeting children throughout the Zoo. Volunteers in costumes do get breaks or have the option of switching with a costume assistant throughout the night.

Requirements:

• Must be outgoing and able to stand or sit in a costume for at least 2 hours
• Must enjoy interacting with children
• Must be able to tolerate temperature extremes
• Time: Various events throughout the year
• Age: 16 & up (will be with a costume assistant)

Costume Assistant

Be the eyes and ears of a costume character as well as help with activities and handing out candy. You will also be the relay person to the event coordinator for breaks, any restocking of candy or water as well as any issues that may come up.

Requirements:

• The ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• A good attitude, friendly and patient with guests
• Time: Various events throughout the year
• Age: 16 & up

Event Manager

Oversee all aspects of one of the following areas to ensure it is running smoothly:

• Scavenger hunt restocking, set up, water distribution and breaks for costume characters
• Game candy distribution, water distribution, volunteer placement and game day training
• In charge of getting food for volunteers (pizza and doughnuts) and signing in volunteers

Requirements:

• Good planning and communication skills
• The ability to walk for long periods of time. May require driver's license and reliable car
• Have a cell phone
• Time: Flexible, but must be present during the event and at least an hour before and after
• Age: 18 & up