Volunteer Opportunities

Why volunteer? 

Becoming a volunteer makes a difference in your community.  Every year hundreds of volunteers put in nearly 15,000 hours supporting staff and animals at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.  Volunteers help over 170,000 annual visitors experience firsthand the natural world around them.  The Zoo is a longstanding Lincoln attraction that has been able to provide a memorable visit for people of all ages, due in great part to the volunteers who support it.  If you enjoy the nature, hearing the laughter of children and seeing wonder in their eyes, become a volunteer at the Zoo.  There’s always something fun to do at the Zoo!

How can you help?

Your Special Skills: Your talents may not fall under any of the positions listed below so please tell us what special skills you have that can help the Zoo.  Examples include computer skills, marketing, carpentry, construction, public speaking, education, etc.

Administration: Assist administrative staff with all aspects of the Zoo office.  Duties include data entry and analysis, marketing, filing, answering phones, assisting visitors, taking photos and videos and other duties as assigned.

Facilities: Assist staff with weeding gardens, cleaning up litter and debris, laying mulch, cleaning walkways and other assigned duties.  The Zoo is also a part of UNL’s Master Gardener program, which is a specialized volunteer position. 

Special Events: Special events volunteers assist as tour guides, party hosts, Animal Ambassadors, survey takers, people counters, exhibit assistance, children’s activity leaders and at fundraising events.  Good public relations and communication skills required.

Train: No trip to the Zoo would be complete without a ride on the Z.O.&O. Railroad!  Train engineers & conductors drive the train around the Zoo grounds while providing a safe and enjoyable ride for passengers.  Strong customer service skills are needed for this position.  Engineers must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license.

Small Animals Assistant: Work alongside the Zoo’s education department at the Butterfly Pavilion, Bug Buddies Exhibit and Critter Encounters, teaching about animals from the creepy-crawly to the warm and fuzzy.

Zookeeper Assistant: Assist Zookeepers to keep animals happy and healthy.  Please noteZookeeper assistants rarely work directly with animals.  The primary objective of this position is to help zookeepers maintain a successful environment for the animals.

Youth Programs: Zoo Crew and Zoo Players are high school volunteer programs that teach students job skills, responsibility, how to care for animals and how to build relationships with their peers.  Students must apply for and be invited to join these programs.

Getting Started

The first step in becoming a volunteer at the Zoo is to fill out an application.  Applications are available for individuals or groups/organizations.  Download the appropriate application and follow the instructions for submission.

Individual Volunteer Application

Group Volunteer Application

Benefits of Volunteering

• Satisfaction of contributing to a longstanding Lincoln tradition and making a difference in your community.
• Training & education, résumé building, letters of reference
• Volunteer staff t-shirt (for volunteers making a long-term commitment)
• Extra volunteer staff t-shirts available for purchase at discounted rate of $5
• 10% discount at Safari Café for active volunteers (in uniform)
• Discounted vending machine rates
• Train engineer hats available for purchase
• Bi-annual appreciation coffees
• Annual volunteer appreciation dinner
• Volunteer of the Month Program
• Membership discounts for next year (based on hours of service)
• Free admission passes (based on hours of service)

To Learn More

Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 402-475-6741 ext. 129.