Ambassadors make the Saint Louis Zoo the friendliest place in town! As an Ambassador volunteer, you will serve the public throughout grounds by providing essential visitor information, and giving recommendations to the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, amenities and unique attractions. Ambassadors can also be trained to share the Zoo’s over 100-year history!

“Being an Ambassador is so awesome! We are the meet and greet arm of the Zoo. It is so interesting meeting people from all over the country- and even the world. Visitors appreciate our help in giving directions to animals, buildings and attractions. Ambassador hours are super flexible- come any day and stay however long you want. Work in one spot giving directions or roam the Zoo helping people. If you are someone who enjoys people, loves the Zoo and has a busy life; being an Ambassador is a great fit for you!” – Sue, Ambassador Volunteer

Spend your days in a tropical paradise! The Saint Louis Zoo's Bayer Insectarium Mary Ann Lee Butterfly Wing is a geodesic dome filled with tropical plants, rock outcroppings, a waterfall and pool. As a Butterfly Wing volunteer, you will help to keep butterflies safe and interact with guests to further their appreciation for our invertebrate and plant species. Volunteers can choose their own 2-hour shifts Monday through Sunday. Volunteers have the option to sit or stand.

Do you love animals and people? Would you like to be a part of the Saint Louis Zoo's efforts to help our guests and the greater community understand and appreciate nature? Then consider becoming a Saint Louis Zoo docent.

Docents, managed by the Zoo's Education Department, are volunteer educators and interpreters. They engage Zoo guests and school groups through conversation, tours on site and at community events about animals, the natural world and our conservation work. Choose a schedule that works for you! Specialized training and on-going continuing education is required. Docents serve 37 hours or more per year depending on chosen commitment level. CLICK HERE for more information.

“Working with our Education Volunteers, Docents, is such fun. Every day I have the privilege of getting to know these wonderful and dedicated group of people who are funny, smart, and great team members.” - Hannah Phillips, Docent & Interpretation Manager

The Zoo hosts events and fundraisers throughout the year that require hundreds of volunteers. Event volunteers help with everything from greeting guests, engaging families and children with creative games and crafts, to assisting food and drink vendors as bar backs. We encourage you to “try out” volunteering at one of our upcoming events!

“Volunteers make our department run smooth and efficiently on event days. They act as extensions of our team and help us ensure that our events run as effortlessly as possible. As a small department, we simply could not execute our events without volunteers! Their dedication and passion is unmatched! They care so strongly about our Zoo and our mission that their joy is contagious!” – Special Events Department

Help visitors take a piece of the Zoo home! As a Safari Gift Shop volunteer, you will assist Zoo staff with greeting customers, stocking merchandise and helping guests with their selections. With a wide variety of handcrafted items that help to fund conservation efforts, to jewelry, Zoo apparel and plush toys, our volunteers ensure visitors find the perfect souvenir or gift for any occasion. Volunteers work with gift shop staff to choose their own shifts with a Monday through Sunday schedule.

“Volunteers make a difference in the Gift Shop because they provide the “icing on the cake.” Staff can do the basics but the Volunteers come in and assist with all the details in the stores. It truly takes a team, and they are a very important part of our team! They bring so much diversity to the Zoo, and these different perspectives are so important to the overall Zoo experience. They help make us one of the best Zoos in the world!” – Tommy Brown, Retail Manager

Is your organization or group looking for a fun and rewarding service project? Opportunities and availability vary based on Zoo needs, but may include special events, event preparations, gardening, and other projects.

Please note:

• The Zoo cannot guarantee volunteer placement. Volunteer opportunities and availability vary based on Zoo needs.
• Volunteer activities are designed for groups of 10-25 people, and typically take 2-3 hours.
• All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and must be members of your group/organization.
• There are no opportunities to work with animals.
• A list of participants must be sent to the Zoo at least 1 week in advance of the activity.
• Each participant will need to complete a volunteer emergency contact and waiver form.
• In the event of inclement weather, the Zoo will attempt to reschedule your volunteer day but cannot guarantee this will be possible.

Please complete the inquiry form at least 8 weeks in advance of your requested service date. Upon submission of the form, Zoo staff will reach out to you regarding volunteer opportunities.

Join the ranks of our knowledgeable and welcoming volunteers at the Saint Louis Zoo! Located in the center of the Zoo’s campus in Schnuck Family Plaza, the Guest Relations Booth is the information hub, helping visitors get the most out of their day at the Zoo. Working alongside a Guest Services employee, Guest Relations Booth volunteers greet Zoo visitors, provide directions, answer the Zoo’s information phone line, and enhance visitor experience of the Zoo and Saint Louis.

We ask that our Guest Relations Booth Volunteers have at least one year of Zoo volunteer experience, problem solving skills, and a passion for sharing information on our amenities and unique attractions. 3.5 hours shifts in the morning and afternoon are available March-October. Volunteers have the option to sit or stand.

“Volunteers in the Guest Relations Booth partner with Zoo employees to provide answers pertaining to the Zoo and the local area. Their impact and good will can be felt throughout the St. Louis community. When a visitor has a question or needs directions, they come to Guest Relations. Between the volunteer and employee, we can answer anything!” - Vincent Correnti, Assistant Manager, Guest Relations

The Saint Louis Zoo provides college students, recent graduates and individuals with prior college coursework an opportunity to learn about the Zoo's zoological operations while obtaining valuable, hands-on work experience and an understanding of the Zoo's role in research and conservation.

Internships and externships are available in:

• Animal Management Areas
• Non-Animal Related Areas
• Research

Over 30 departments to choose from!

Visit our Internships and Externships page to learn more and apply to become a Saint Louis Zoo intern or extern today!

Share in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Zoo’s commitment to the health and well-being of children and families in our community as a First Aid volunteer. Greet and provide nonmedical assistance to visitors as they utilize the Zoo’s family restroom, lactation room and first aid supplies such as Band-Aids and bee sting kits. 3.5 hours shifts in the morning and afternoon are available all year round. Volunteers have the option to sit or stand.

“First Aid Station volunteers are the first line in assisting our visitors when entering the station - whether a family needs the family restroom, a mom needs to pump or breastfeed, of if someone needs to see a Medic. Our First Aid volunteers are amazing because they care and consistently go above and beyond.” - Domini Montgomery, Manager, Safety & Risk Management

Help to ensure our visitors have an incredible experience on an animal tour as they see and learn about our animals up close and personal! Our volunteer Tour Guides lead groups to their behind-the-scene locations, and are trained to share zoo history, our mission and information about animal husbandry with visitors from all over the world. We ask that our Tour Guides have at least one year of Zoo volunteer experience, great communications skills and a passion for sharing our mission.

“Volunteers are the front line for meeting our tour groups. They are the first face our guests see. They are thrilled to meet our guests and show them just how extraordinary we are as a zoo. Our Tour Guide volunteers are amazing because they are fun, energetic and knowledgeable about the Zoo. My favorite part about working with volunteers is sharing their enthusiasm! They work so hard and take on every task with pride.” - Mandi Nordin, Group Tours Agent