Volunteer

1st & 2nd Year ZooTeens

1st & 2nd-year ZooTeens will focus on developing public speaking skills, confidence, and animal knowledge by interpreting various habitats around the Zoo and working with Summer Camp classes!

Requirements 100 Hours:

1.  1 week of camp (40 hours)
2. 40 hours of Visitor Engagement shifts; available in half-day shifts throughout the summer
3. 20 additional hours from Lunch & Learns, hangouts, events, or additional VE shifts.

3rd Year+ ZooTeens

3rd year+ ZooTeens will continue to develop these skills with additional opportunities to take on leadership roles within the ZooTeen community.

Requirements 70 Hours:

• 1 week of camp (40 hours)
• 20 hours of Visitor Engagement shifts; available in half-day shifts throughout the summer 10 additional hours from Lunch & Learns, hangouts, events, or additional VE shifts

We recognize that many teens at this stage are also involved in extracurricular activities or have part-time jobs, and we aim to provide flexibility that allows them to balance these commitments while fully engaging in the ZooTeen program.

Additional Opportunities

At the start of each season, eligible ZooTeens will have the opportunity to further specialize in focus areas such as animal care, animal handling and interpretation, animal enrichment, conservation research, or CREW. The specializations offered each year may vary based on individual area needs and capacity. Each opportunity requires a separate application and has specific eligibility requirements, such as years of experience in the program and a minimum number of dedicated hours.

We are committed to our Teens and this experience; we ask that Teens in the program also commit to the Zoo and meet the time requirements.

Notes on Hours

• These hours are minimums and can be exceeded, ZooTeens can serve up to 40 hours (including lunch) per week if they choose.
• Non-Camp Shifts: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and/or 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays, depending on sign-up minimums.
• Summer Camp Shift: 8 am- 4:15 pm full week, Monday-Friday

Qualities we look for when selecting ZooTeens:

• A genuine passion for nature and conservation
• A positive attitude and a curious mind
• A willingness to learn and challenge yourself to do new things
• Reliable and able to commit to the hours required

Requirements:

• Be between 13 and 17 years of age on May 1, 2026
• Upon acceptance, a non-refundable program fee of $60 is required. This fee covers all materials, a camp t-shirt for you to keep, and the opportunity to borrow a Zoo uniform shirt for your shifts.
• Should this program fee cause economic hardship, please reach out!
• Be able to receive important information via email and create a ZooTeen profile online where you can update your personal information and log service hours (NOTE: We respect your privacy and never share personal information with anyone outside our organization).

Important Dates:

Group Interview

Be available for 1 in-person group interview on one of the following dates:

• Check back later for date & time options!

Orientation 1

Complete an online course covering Orientation 1 materials, including quizzes, with a guardian before attending a scheduled virtual session with ZooTeen staff on one of the following dates:

• Check back later for date & time options!

Orientation 2

Attend an all-day orientation part 2 at the Zoo on one of the following dates:

• Check back later for date & time options!

Making Decisions

Our ZooTeen program is very popular, so we are not able to accept all applicants into the program. If you are not selected this time, we encourage you to apply again next year! If you have been a ZooTeen in past years, that is NOT a guarantee that you will be selected this year.

Notification of decisions will be sent via email on April 2, 2027.

Application Process

The Summer 20267 application will be open online between December 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027.

To apply: Click here when open!

Contact us: [email protected]

Interested in learning more before you apply? Join us for an upcoming Information Session!

We’ll share an overview of the program and offer a chance to ask questions.

Click below to register for a session that fits your schedule:

• Check back later for date & time options!

Program Requirements

To ensure a meaningful and successful experience for both our volunteers and our teams,
participants in the Adult Volunteer Program are asked to:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Maintain regular communication, including access to email and comfort with basic technology (we use an easy-to-navigate online system to schedule shifts, track hours, and stay connected)
• Meet the minimum hour and time commitment associated with your selected role
• Be reliable and consistent in attendance and scheduling
• Complete the onboarding process, which includes an application, interview, and participation in both virtual and in-person orientation and training sessions

Program Perks

In appreciation for their time and impact, Adult Volunteers enjoy:

• Free Zoo admission and parking during volunteer service
• Exclusive communications to stay connected and informed
• Access to unique volunteer-only opportunities and behind-the-scenes experiences
•  Discounts on select Zoo offerings
•  Invitations to annual celebrations and appreciation events

Animal Enrichment (AE) volunteers create safe items which will stimulate animals’ natural behaviors through sight, sound, scent, texture, and more. Volunteers assist the Enrichment Committee by building various types of approved enrichment toys or devices for the animals at the Zoo. AE volunteers research, design, and create enrichment items for the Zoo’s animal community. This is a great opportunity for people who are crafty, can paint, paper mache, use power tools and/or have woodworking skills, and enjoy problem-solving.

Recruitment Status: Not Accepting Applications at this time

Animal Excellence Zoo Monitor Volunteer

Are you interested in animal behavior and how zoos use science to promote animal welfare? Do you enjoy observing animals, collecting data, and contributing to the mission of the Animal Excellence team? If so, you may be the perfect fit for the Animal Excellence Zoo Monitor Team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! The purpose of the Animal Excellence program is to promote scientific evidence-based care and welfare to the animals that call the zoo their home. This is achieved by a dedicated team following the guide of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s mission: “Creating Adventure, Conveying Knowledge, Conserving Nature, and Serving the Community.” Animal Excellence Zoo Monitors typically pick one day of the week to volunteer and come perform their duties consistently on that day.

Recruitment Status: Accepting Applications

Click Here to Apply to be a Animal Excellence Zoo Monitor

Please note: Our volunteer recruitment follows a rolling application process based on program needs throughout the year. Applications are reviewed as opportunities become available, which may vary seasonally. Because of this, response times can fluctuate. We appreciate your patience and kindly ask that applicants refrain from contacting staff for status updates — we will be in touch directly when there is a next step to share.

Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife’s (CREW) mission is Saving Species with Science. Channeling the strengths and expertise of the scientific staff, CREW takes a focused approach to wildlife conservation by identifying four areas, or Signature Projects, where we believe our impact can be significant. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Cat Colony
  Cat Colony volunteers must love domestic cats and enjoy working in a fast-paced, physical environment.  Responsibilities include removing dirty bowls, litter pans, beds, and toys from the cat rooms, cleaning everything thoroughly, and re-setting the rooms for the day. Socializing with the cats is a reward for all parties involved.  This is a year-round volunteer position.

• Endocrine Lab:
  Volunteers in the Endocrine Lab are involved in the preparation of fecal samples used by the researchers for various modes of study.  Responsibilities include, but not limited to, labeling tubes and bags, cleaning dried fecal samples, pounding fecal samples into a powder, and weighing them. This is a year-round volunteer position.
• Plant Division:
  Volunteers in the Plant Lab prepare various recipes of sterile media needed in the propagation of plant tissue or they may take part in the maintenance of the plants in the greenhouse. Responsibilities in the greenhouse may include plant sanitation, caring for young plants and helping with the outdoor exhibit gardens at CREW.  This is a year-round volunteer position.
• Support Services/Reception Desk:
  Support Services involves staffing the front/reception desk at CREW. Volunteers are responsible for greeting visitors, monitoring the sign-in sheet, and keeping the information table stocked. This position includes cleaning the outside of test tubes, labeling tubes for samples, refilling pipette boxes and some data entry. There is always something new to do to help CREW staff while at the desk.  This is a year-round volunteer position.
• CREW Ambassadors: Accepting Applications
  Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), our mission is Saving Species with Science®. CREW takes a focused approach to wildlife conservation through its four Signature Projects: rhinos, imperiled cats, polar bears, and exceptional plants. The role of the CREW Ambassador is to bridge the science and conservation efforts taken by CREW and present them in a way that engages and inspires Zoo guests. CREW Ambassadors have access to biofacts, hands-on activities, and captivating stories to share with all those who stop by the CREW cart, which is located near Black Rhino.

Recruitment Status: Not Currently Accepting Applications

Arrival Facilitators: 

Help create a great first impression for visiting school groups at the Cincinnati Zoo! As a Field Trip Arrival Guide, volunteers welcome students, teachers, and chaperones, provide helpful information, and assist with school group arrivals. Work alongside the School Programs and Visitor Experience Teams to ensure a smooth entry process and an unforgettable visit.

Summer Camp Aide: 

Summer Camp Aides support the Zoo’s Education Team by assisting in camp classrooms and providing additional encouragement and guidance for campers who benefit from extra support. Volunteers serve as positive role models, helping foster fun, learning, and inspiration—while camp staff lead instruction and manage behavior. This is a great opportunity for those passionate about inspiring the next generation of conservationists!

Our team of dedicated Horticulture Volunteers keep our gardens looking great throughout the season and contribute to a variety of Horticulture Programs at the Zoo and its affiliated sites. Our volunteers complete a variety of tasks in the garden, grow plants in our nurseries, assist with plant sales, facilitate educational opportunities for visitors, collect data regarding plants and the wildlife they support, assist with restoration projects, and much more!

Our Horticulture Volunteer season begins in March and continues through the end of November, though some opportunities are available year-round. Horticulture Volunteers typically pick one opportunity and day of the week to volunteer and come consistently on that day. Most volunteers contribute a minimum of 50 service hours per year. We ask that volunteers in this area have the ability to lift 30 lbs, stand or walk for extended periods of time, and bend/work on their knees frequently. Volunteers in Horticulture are often exposed to a variety of plant material and outside weather conditions.

Garden Volunteer

• Garden volunteers help keep the garden looking beautiful! Volunteers work alongside skilled interns and staff to maintain display gardens, perennial areas, and naturalized landscapes. Throughout the season, volunteers plant annuals, perennials, bulbs, and small shrubs and trees. Volunteers weed, water, mulch, rake leaves, and cut back perennials and ornamental grasses. Volunteers also assist with a variety of tasks in the nursery. These tasks include potting annual and perennial plugs, planting display containers, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pinching/cutting plants back, setting up for plant sales, and helping to load/unload plants onto carts and trailers. Garden Volunteers also have opportunities to help with garden events and plant sales throughout the season. Our volunteer gardening days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, March – November. Training for this role includes two online orientations and hands-on demonstrations for the various tasks we complete in the gardens. We are currently looking for gardeners to join our team on Thursdays, 9am to noon, and Saturdays, 8 am to 11 am.

Garden Engagement Ambassador Volunteer

• Our Garden Engagement Program strives to inspire visitors with plants and encourage individuals to take steps that promote conservation and co-existence between people and wildlife.  Garden Engagement Volunteers actively engage visitors through activities, interpretive programing, educational displays, and other resources at our Garden Engagement Station.  Day to day activities for volunteers in this area include: facilitating activities and conversations that highlight the value of plants to people and other wildlife, sharing ideas about actions that individuals can take to promote and co-exist with wildlife, collecting plant specimens from the garden for live display, and setting up display areas, resources, and educational activities at the station.  The ideal volunteer for this area will possess a passion for sharing information and engaging with the public, enthusiasm for public gardens and horticultural programs, and the desire to inspire people to take actions that promote conservation and co-existence between people and wildlife.  Garden Engagement Volunteer shifts are available daily.  Training for this role includes two online orientations, reviewing educational content, and a mandatory Interpretive Training (hosted in April.)  Prior knowledge of plants, gardening, and/or horticulture is preferred, but training will be provided.

Bowyer Wetland & Nursery Volunteer (located in Warren County)   

• Bowyer Farm is a wetland restoration project in Warren County, Ohio.  The site is host to our native plant nursery and additional growing facilities. Volunteers at Bowyer have opportunities to undertake a variety of tasks including: potting, transplanting, and caring for plants in the nursery, maintaining the gardens and landscape onsite, assisting with native plant sales, participating in wetland and prairie planting and restoration projects, conducting wildlife surveys, and more!

Zero-Waste Volunteer

Zero Waste Volunteers play a vital role in helping the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden achieve its goal of becoming a net zero waste facility. Through hands-on support at both daily operations and special events, these volunteers help ensure that at least 90% of waste is diverted from landfills through composting, recycling, and reuse efforts. Whether assisting guests at Zero Waste events—where all materials are compostable or recyclable—or working behind the scenes to sort and manage waste streams, volunteers are essential in turning sustainability goals into action. Their efforts help recover valuable resources, reduce environmental impact, and even support community initiatives like food rescue.

By guiding guests, improving waste sorting accuracy, and supporting innovative sustainability practices, Zero Waste Volunteers help the Zoo lead by example as the “Greenest Zoo in America®”—proving that everyday actions can create meaningful change for wildlife, people, and the planet.

Learn more about our Sustainability Initiatives

Recruitment Status: Not Accepting Applications at this time

Are you passionate about creating meaningful moments and making a positive impact on the lives of people from around the world? The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) invites individuals like you to join our dedicated team in the Visitor Experience Department.  As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to an INSPIRED Visitor Experience by engaging with visitors at various stations throughout the Zoo. From welcoming guests at our turnstiles to assisting with directions and group entrance, your role will encompass a diverse range of tasks.

Your responsibilities may include warmly greeting visitors, providing helpful information, offering suggestions for day planning, assisting with crowd flow, and even engaging in enjoyable activities with families. Join us in creating genuine connections and unforgettable moments for hundreds of thousands of people, not only from the Greater Cincinnati area but from all corners of the globe!

Recruitment Status: Not accepting applications at this time

Have you ever dreamed about helping the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden assist the animals in our care?  The volunteer SCUBA divers provide valuable support to our keepers and the animals by helping to maintain exhibits to the high standards required by the American Zoological Association (AZA).   

Position Requirements:
Our volunteer divers must meet CZBG and OSHA safety qualifications/requirements, including: 

• Certified Open Water Diver 
  • PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA, etc… 
  • 1-Year Experience Minimum 
  • 25 Dive Minimum 

• Current Documentation 
  • CPR/First Aid/AED Certification 
  • COVID Vaccination and Booster, including the bivariant booster 
  • TB Test with Negative Result within the Last year* 
  • Medical History Form and Doctor’s Clearance* 
  • Liability Waiver* 

* Forms will be provided upon acceptance into the program.  

Click Here for the Volunteer Diver Application

Recruitment Status:  Currently Accepting Volunteer Diver Applications.

Our dedicated Team of Zoo Ambassadors act as representatives and promotors of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.  Whether it’s helping someone find their way or supporting an animal experience, our Zoo Ambassadors have a warm, welcoming presence and are passionate about creating special moments during a visitor’s fun day at the Zoo.

Habitat Ambassadors:

Habitat Ambassadors encourage wonder and facilitate inspired conversations for a brighter future for wildlife and people.  Habitat Ambassadors can be found stationed in one of our four designated habitats (Africa, Elephant Reserve, Gorilla World, Manatee Springs) as well as serving our volunteers in a rover roll around Zoo Grounds.  Ambassadors engage with visitors through quality interpretive techniques and use story sharing, biofacts, and hands-on activities to make deeper connections between Zoo visitors and the world around us.

Get Inspired by This Role – Click Here to Learn More

Recruitment Status: Accepting Applications for the 2027 season on November 1st

Our Zoo Ambassador Volunteer program is very popular and we may not have enough opportunities to accommodate all who want to participate. Notification of decision is sent via email.