Volunteer FAQ

Volunteers begin their adventure at the Maryland Zoo as a Zoo Guide. Zoo Guides are responsible for answering basic Zoo amenity questions and offer directional support. All of these tasks have an overall effect on the all-important guest experience level.

In time, volunteers will have the opportunity to expand their assignments and offer the Zoo more assistance in other areas.

The animals in our collection are wild, and keeping animals and people separate is important for everyone’s safety. Some Exhibit Guides are invited to become an Outpost Volunteer, using our collection of education program animals to teach about wildlife and conservation. Most positions allow you some ability to observe our animals and enjoy the campus, and every position contributes to the success of the Zoo. Also, our recognition program includes many opportunities to interact with Zoo staff and learn about the daily lives of our animal collection.

We do not use volunteers for animal husbandry.

No, we do not offer service hours for court-ordered or punitive community service.

Bus and Metro lines are available at the Mondawmin station, approximately a ten minute walk from the Zoo. Most volunteers arrive by car, and free parking is available in the staff lots. Accessible parking is also available.

Once you are offered and accept a position, there is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $25 for adult volunteers, which covers the cost of the volunteer shirt, training materials, and a sex offender registry check. Volunteers will also need to wear khaki “bottoms” (pants, shorts, or skirts), and closed-toe shoes.

The teen volunteer program includes additional training, events, and professional development opportunities. The one-time cost for teen volunteers is $50 (with some exceptions)

Volunteer retention is extremely important to us, and we work hard to keep our trained volunteers. We expect that volunteers will fulfill a regular commitment for at least one year. People with only short-term or occasional availability are great for events. A typical on-grounds volunteer shift is about 2.5 hours which includes a shift meeting before the volunteer makes their way to their post. Shift times are 9:45-12:15, 11:45-2:15, and 1:45-4:45.

Currently we ask for four shifts per month. The Zoo is a seven day a week operation through the months of March and December. Volunteers are able to do multiple shifts in a single day to help with availability. During the months of January and February, the Zoo’s operations drop to a winter schedule and therefore the monthly requirement is only two shifts for these two months.

For the most part, no. We are an outdoor organization with guests who are also outdoors. Anyone interested in volunteering will need to be able to tolerate typical Baltimore weather such as humidity, heat, cold, rain, etc.

For the innovative and fun adult program, the ages are 18 and above.

The Zoo is happy to have a robust volunteer program for teens 14-17, which starts off with a specialized orientation and training in early summer and runs all year long. Students aged 14-17 are also invited to help at special events throughout the year (14-15 with a supporting adult who will actively participate in volunteering). The Zoo does not offer Senior Projects or shadows.

Not necessarily. Many of our employees did start out as volunteers or interns, and this is a great way to learn about careers with wildlife. However, joining the volunteer program will not guarantee you employment at the Maryland Zoo. If you are interested in seeking employment, please refer to the Jobs Listings portion of the website to view current job openings.

The volunteer department does not arrange job shadows. If you are a college student planning on a related career, we do offer a variety of internships. These positions, especially in the Animal Department, are very competitive but will give
you great experience in your field of interest.

Once accepted into the program through the interview process, all adult volunteers must attend a combination of virtual and in-person training. Teen volunteers will have all of their training completed within one week of Bootcamp. Such training includes an orientation session, to learn important safety policies and complete some routine set-up processes, followed by assignment training.