Volunteering At The Minnesota Zoo
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Thank you for your interest in The Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Program. The Minnesota Zoo Volunteers exemplify our Mission of connecting humans, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. At The Minnesota Zoo you can apply to be a Zoo Ambassador if you are 18 or older, or if you are 13 – 17 you can apply to be a ZooTeen and help with camps in the summer.
If you have a passion for animals, the environment, conservation, and enjoy being around people, consider volunteering with the Minnesota Zoo. Volunteers serve a critical role in the Minnesota Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats by introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems.
Zoo Ambassador Volunteers
The process to become an adult Zoo Ambassador is as follows:
- Complete an application
- Submit a photo for an ID badge and complete a background check from Sterling Volunteers. Further instructions regarding these steps are provided once an application has been completed on My Impact.
- Sign up for a training
- Attend the training
- Begin volunteering
As a Zoo Ambassador, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact across the Minnesota Zoo in some of the following ways
- Interact with guests:
Provide directions, offer suggestions for a meaningful visit, share info about your favorite animal, habitat, or conservation project, perform ushering duties for various demonstrations or shows throughout the day
- Assist with Special Events:
Support Zoo events like Jack-o-lantern Spectacular by offering information about the event, assist with wayfinding, or help lead activities for guests
- Help Education Staff:
Table across the Zoo or in the community for specific conservation or animal-related messaging to educate the public
- Various Special Assignments:
There are occasional opportunities to help with an assortment of special assignments such as helping the Minnesota Zoo Foundation with office tasks, periodic sewing projects, supporting nutrition teams by packaging browse, and beyond. Information about how to help with these specific opportunities are communicated to active volunteers in a weekly newsletter.
Things volunteers don’t help with:
- Minnesota Zoo Volunteers do not handle animals, provide animal care, interact with animals, or work behind the scenes with animals.
Zoo staff will provide you with training which includes information and tools equipping you with general knowledge about the Zoo campus, the animal collection, animal habitats, special events, and more. Once Ambassador Volunteers are trained, volunteers may progress into other volunteer roles such as being a member of the interpretive team, mentoring new volunteers, and assisting with more in-depth projects.
Benefits of being a MN Zoo Volunteer:
- Free admission for you and your immediate family (this benefit kicks in 2-3 weeks after your training)
- Discounts in the call of the wild and gift shop
- Occasional opportunities to attend event previews
Expectations of MN Zoo Volunteers:
- Adhere to rules in the volunteer handbook
- Stay up to date to the best of your ability on Zoo happenings by reading the Volunteer Newsletter
- Complete background check through Sterling Volunteer
- Maintain a respectful and positive environment for our staff, volunteers, guests, and animals
- Commit to at least 75 hours of service per year or a prorated equivalency based on when you start during the calendar year.
Individuals interested in becoming a Zoo Ambassador must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete a background check (sent to you through email via Sterling Volunteers)
- Are committed to the mission, policies, and protocols of the Minnesota Zoo and the Volunteer Program.
There are a limited number of training spots available throughout the year. We will not be holding make-up training sessions. Applications will open in December.
After your application is received, you will have access to our volunteer database: My Impact. On My Impact you will see more information about next steps, and how to sign up for a training.
If you have questions about becoming a Zoo Ambassador or the process above, please email [email protected] for assistance
ZooTeen volunteers
Applications to become a ZooTeen are currently closed. We will be accepting applications for ZooTeens in early 2026.
ZooTeens help support our Zoo Camps by:
- Helping keep track of campers as they go about the zoo (both around and behind the scenes)
- Assist with crafts and activities to ensure camps run smoothly
- Being a role model for our campers
- Sharing a love of the natural world with a younger generation
If you have questions about the ZooTeen program, please reach out to [email protected] and a volunteer services staff member will respond in a timely manner.
Common Questions:
As a volunteer will I interact with animals:
No. Duties that involve animal interaction are conducted by staff. Volunteers do not interact with MN Zoo animals directly.
How does the background check work:
Due to the nature of the work we do and guests we interact with all staff and adult volunteers are required to complete a background check. Volunteer Services conducts background checks during the application process and once you apply you will receive an email from an organization called Sterling Volunteers that conducts these checks.
I am a teenager, can I be a Zoo Ambassador?:
Only adults can be Zoo Ambassadors. If you are 13 – 17 you can apply to be a ZooTeen volunteer and assist with camps held throughout the summer.
I can’t make any of the available trainings:
We understand that people can be busy. Unfortunately, we are not capable of offering additional trainings beyond what is scheduled, and we invite you to try again next year.
Will you have makeup trainings?
No. Once all training spots have been filled, we will not be adding Zoo Ambassador trainings for the remainder of the year. Please check back in 2027 for additional training options.
Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions not covered above.
