Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Become a Zoo Guide at one of the nation’s greatest institutions. You’ll assist the Education Department at the Central Park Zoo in delivering wildlife and environmental conservation information to zoo visitors, offering administrative support, leading tours, supporting zoo school programs, and participating in a variety of events.

Wildlife Guide Responsibilities
Volunteers should be flexible and prepared to serve in any of the capacities listed below following the required 8 week training course. All decisions regarding work assignments will be made by the Coordinator of Volunteers or the Day Captain.
o Engaging in interactive discussions about selected animals, their exhibits, and environmental conservation with the public.. A volunteer should initiate conversations with visitors to make them feel welcome as well as share information.
o Conducting pick-up tours for the casual visitor and selected organized groups, including school groups and groups of adults. These tours can encompass multiple exhibits, focus on a specific region and its wildlife, or concentrate on a specific topic, such as animal adaptations or communication.
o Delivering amplified wildlife narrations at selected exhibits during feeding and enrichment times. Narrations involve using a microphone to speak to large audiences.
o Reading to children during our story time activities.
o Helping the Education Department with administrative duties such as record-keeping, light administrative duties and arts & crafts prep for special events and school programs.
o Participating in a variety of promotional, corporate, private, and special events.
o Helping our youngest visitors explore the wonders of the Tisch Children's Zoo.
o Attending additional trainings following the 8 week training program. Opportunities for professional development will be available for guides to attend to further their knowledge of wildlife and environmental conservation. Volunteers are required to attend a minimum of three continuing education programs per year.
Time Commitment Required of Volunteers
After acceptance into the program, each volunteer is asked to make a minimum one-year commitment to the Central Park Zoo, commencing with the successful completion of the training course. Weekday volunteers must commit to working a minimum of one full day per week and weekend volunteers must commit to working one full day every other weekend. Arrangements may be made with the Coordinator of Volunteers to work additional days, if desired. Guides are expected to make up missed days.
The Zoo is open every day of the year, including all holidays. Volunteer staff is needed 365 days a year.

Training
All volunteers are required to complete a multi-week training course taught by zoo staff. The cost of training is $100. This includes fees for training refreshments, materials, uniform shirt and explorer vest. Final acceptance of a volunteer into the program is contingent on successful completion of the training course and a 3-month probationary period. There is a requirement of a minimum of one full year of service, approximately 200 hours.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Central Park Zoo We need volunteers who are free at these times Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Morning X X X Afternoon X X X Evening Contact Person: Michelle Fufaro, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 439-6539, (email) View all organization contacts Address: 830 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10021 (See a map) Directions: Take the N, R or W to the "Fifth Ave" stop. Enter the park at 60th Street. Walk along the path, through the gates. The Zoo is on your left just beyond the Leaping Frog Cafe. Take the M4 up Madison Ave or down Fifth Ave. Walk to 64th St. and Fifth Ave.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N, R or W at Fifth Ave Stop,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2   Nearest Bus Stop: M4, 2 minute walk Details where opportunity can also be performed This opportunity can also be performed in these locations: Web Site: http://www.centralparkzoo.com Miscellaneous Information Borough Manhattan Volunteer Shifts We are seeking volunteers for Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. A volunteer chooses their own day to volunteer and volunteers regularly on that same day each week or weekend. Weekday Zoo Guides volunteer 4 times per month and weekend Guides volunteer twice a month.