VOLUNTEER
AT THE ZOO.
​If you’re looking to use your time and talents to make a difference, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is the perfect place for you. Volunteering at your local Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo is a rewarding and exciting experience!
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The zoo is seeking dedicated, talented, reliable, energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to help with special events, assist in education programs, help maintain and beautify zoo grounds, and interpret zoo exhibits for visitors.
Volunteer Applications
Active Volunteers
Conservation Education
Assist our zoo education team with programs that promote public awareness of wildlife and nature conservation. Opportunities include assisting instructors of classroom education programs, assisting with Zoo to You off-site programs, helping with indoor and outdoor education activities, and staffing animal artifact and information stations.
Corporate
Groups
Bring a team from your company to the zoo for a work project – it’s a great team-building activity, a break from the office routine, good exercise and a feel-good opportunity to support a beloved community asset.
Youth
Kids can start volunteering at the zoo at age 10 with parental supervision. Join our volunteer youth group to meet other young people while learning about animal care and conservation, gain experience interacting with the public and fulfill school or church requirements for community service hours.
College
Students
Hone important skills for your future career by assisting with zoo programs and events. Gain experience with customer service, public interaction, large-scale events and of course, conservation. Volunteer status at an AZA-accredited institution looks great on a resumé!
Teachers
Working and retired teachers enjoy a unique take on using their exceptional educational and creative skills to assist with zoo events, programs and projects that benefit the animals of the zoo and teach local youth and the community about conservation.
Professionals
Share your skills and give back to your community by helping the zoo with a myriad of projects, programs, events and causes while getting involved in Syracuse’s premiere wildlife conservation center. Meet other animal lovers while learning about your AZA-accredited zoo and its important role of saving endangered species!
Retirees
Stay engaged with your community while participating in the activities at your zoo. Meet other people, be part of a mission and share skills gained over a lifetime of experience to enhance and assist an important Central New York asset.
Alumni Groups
If you’re a member of an alumni group – especially from a science or nature-based program – the zoo is the perfect place for a community service project. Get a group together and join us for a team-building task that will be rewarding for you and help out the zoo!
Green Grounds
and Gardens
Help us improve and maintain our beautiful zoo grounds through on-site projects. The zoo’s green infrastructure includes rain gardens, a butterfly garden and even a vegetable garden that provides enrichment for the animals.
Zoo
Events
Help the zoo host fun, educational events by greeting guests, staffing special event stations, assisting with arts, crafts, games and face-painting, help stage and decorate event spaces and more!
Be a Zoo Mascot
Represent the zoo at community events and onsite zoo activities as our elephant or penguin mascot! We’re seeking outgoing, entertaining people to don an animal costume and interact with the public just as a sports team mascot does. (Volunteers must audition for this role to ensure you can manage a large-scale costume).
Learn more about how you can
volunteer at the zoo!
Email volunteer services at volunteer@rosamondgiffordzoo.org or call (315) 435-8511 x8569