Learning Positions

Play Assistant

Seasonal summer position (June–August)
Time Commitment: One shift per week
Shifts available: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

As a play assistant, you will help create a sensory-rich learning environment, greet guests, and gain hands-on experience with the zoo’s youngest visitors at Farm-in-the-Zoo. This position is ideal for applicants who have an early education background or are hoping to gain experience guiding play-based learning. Applicants should enjoy facilitating activities for young children.

Responsibilities include:

• Encouraging creativity and promoting motor skills through music, art, and block building
• Assisting guests as they explore different textures, sights, and sounds with sensory bins
• Facilitating play and maintaining a safe space
• Supporting children as they direct their own experience
• Helping children and parents get oriented to the site and the experience

Skills and Qualifications

• Must be 18 or older
• Friendly, approachable, and energetic
• Respects and relates to diverse populations
• Works well independently and in teams
• Maintains confidentiality about sensitive animal information
• Comfortable collaborating and following zoo policies and guest service standards
• Communicates clearly and empathetically with staff, volunteers, and guests

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Ability to move around zoo grounds in all weather conditions; accommodations available
• Comfort in working at a child’s level, which may include standing and kneeling for long periods of time; accommodations available
• Closed-toe shoes are required

Onboarding Requirements

• Complete an online application; if you need help filling out an application, email volunteer@lpzoo.org
• Successfully complete an interview with the Volunteer Services department on one of the following dates:
  1. Wednesday, February 11, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  2. Wednesday, February 18, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Complete and pass a standard criminal background check
• Attend a day-long on zoo grounds orientation on one of the following dates:
  1. Monday, March 2
  2. Saturday, March 7
  3. Friday, March 13
  4. Saturday, March 21
• Attend and complete all required training courses, which includes a 4-hour in-person session and online at-your-own-pace courses. You must attend the following in-person training date:
  1. Wednesday, May 27

Guest Engagement Volunteer

Year-round position
Time Commitment: One shift per week for at least six months per year
Shifts available: Daily from 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1–4:30 p.m. (may vary seasonally)
Recruiting for the following shifts: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons

Guest Engagement Volunteers bring the zoo’s mission to life by sharing its stories of care, conservation and science, and community through structured conversational chats and learning activities. Rotating between program locations across the zoo, they engage visitors of all ages and create memorable, meaningful learning experiences. This role is perfect for individuals who are passionate about educating others, excited to learn new information, and eager to develop their communication and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead conversational chats for zoo guests using appropriate zoo resources
• Use educational techniques and props to meaningfully connect guests with zoo’s efforts to care for and conserve wildlife
• Work collaboratively with peers to lead activities at learning stations
• Introduce guests to ways they can take action to protect wildlife
• Help facilitate non-contact animal encounter programming at Farm-in-the-Zoo
• Assist guests with general animal information, zoo information, and directions
• Support staff with crowd management at narrated animal care sessions
• Provide programmatic support at special events as requested
• Actively participate in training, including regular refresher training

Skills and Qualifications

• Must be 18 or older
• Is comfortable with a zoo shift that includes a mix of guided conversations and more structured activities for guests
• Is comfortable proactively speaking with groups of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds
• Expresses sensitivity and respect for diverse populations
• Has the capacity to learn educational materials independently using online resources
• Works well independently and in teams
• Maintains confidentiality about sensitive animal info
• Is comfortable collaborating and following zoo policies and guest service standards
• Is comfortable receiving supportive coaching and feedback from zoo employees
• Communicates clearly and empathetically with staff, volunteers, and guests

Physical Requirements
(Please note, accommodations for physical requirements are possible)

• Must wear closed-toe shoes
• Has the ability to move around zoo grounds in all weather conditions; accommodations available
• Has comfort with facilitating programs for all ages, which may include bending and holding program props weighing 5–10 pounds
• Can sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Can move and set up rolling carts weighing up to 250 pounds

Onboarding Requirements

• Complete an online application; if you need help with this, email volunteer@lpzoo.org
• Successfully complete an interview with the Volunteer Services and Learning department on one one of the following dates:
  1. Saturday, February 7, at 10 a.m.
  2. Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m.
  3. Tuesday, February 10, at 10 a.m.
  4. Friday, February 13, at 1:30 p.m.
• Complete and pass a standard criminal background check
• Attend a day-long training session on zoo grounds orientation on one of the following dates:
  1. Monday, March 2
  2. Saturday, March 7
  3. Friday, March 13
• Attend and complete additional required position-specific training (up to 16 hours), which includes virtual training, in-person training, and online self-paced courses. Chose both a virtual and in-person training date from the options below:
  1. Virtual Training: Saturday, March 21, or Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  2. In-Person Training: Tuesday, April 7, or Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.
• Start on scheduled shifts either the week of April 19 or April 26. Complete six consecutive weeks of program onboarding during your scheduled shift time with employees and other volunteers to further orient you to your role and programming. You can expect the following during that period: program observations, Q&A, coaching opportunities with employees, and independent program practice time.

To be accepted as a Guest Engagement Volunteer, all onboarding steps need to be completed on schedule. Adjustments to the onboarding process may be feasible if needs are communicated well in advance and can be accommodated by employees.