Central Park Zoo Volunteers

Wildlife Guides at the Central Park Zoo

Central Park Wildlife Guides are part of one of the nation's greatest institutions. The Wildlife Conservation Society has a worldwide reputation for animal exhibition, work in wildlife conservation and research, zoo exhibition innovations and environmental education. The Society celebrated 100 years of saving wildlife and wild places in 1995.

In 1993 the New York Zoological Society changed its name to better describe what it is and has been for a long time: an international wildlife conservation organization with a world wide impact. There are 150 international programs in over sixty countries; its environmental programs are used in numerous states and several foreign nations.

Six facilities make up the Wildlife Conservation Society. Three city sites include Central Park Zoo, opened August, 1988; Queens Zoo, opened June 1992; and Prospect Park Zoo, opened October 1993. The other conservation centers include the Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation, Bronx Zoo and St. Catherine's Wildlife Conservation Center.

Guides come into contact with thousands of visitors. Every volunteer and employee, no matter what his or her job, shares in the responsibility of upholding our reputation with our visitors, of serving them well and courteously.

The Central Park Zoo, also known as the Central Park Zoo, is a special place, where visitors can journey from the steaming tropics to the frigid poles without leaving Manhattan. The Center's three biomes are exciting "classrooms" in which to teach visitors about animals and their habitats.

Most of our education programs could not function without the help of dedicated, trained volunteers. In the pages that follow, you'll learn what CPZ volunteers do and what guidelines everyone must follow to keep the program running smoothly.

Jobs Available to Volunteers
As a volunteer Wildlife Guide, you'll have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of activities to help the Education Dept. at the Central Park Zoo. Some of these are:

Delivering brief lectures (exhibit talks) at selected exhibits and answering questions from the public. A volunteer stationed at the polar bear exhibit, for example, would give a short talk on bears. She/he would make the exhibit "come alive" for visitors by pointing out and explaining various polar bear behaviors and answering questions about these animals. A volunteer should initiate conversations with visitors to make them feel welcome as well as share information.

Conducting pick-up tours for the casual visitor and selected organized groups. These tours can be a trip through the three biomes, or focus on a specific region and its wildlife (polar, temperate, tropic), or on specific topics (such as endangered species, animal adaptations and animal communication).

Staffing the Wildlife Conservation Center. This information center is designed to acquaint people with wildlife conservation issues and promote the activities of The International Conservation Programs, a worldwide conservation program operated by the Society. Volunteers will answer questions about wildlife conservation as well as questions about the zoo as a whole.

Staffing information tables set up at various locations around the zoo to offer guidance to visitors, including the Ask Me cart, and Facts of Wildlife cart, which offers a hands-on educational experience to visitors.

Delivering amplified "Wildlife Chats" at selected exhibits.

Reading to children during our story time activities.

Offering administrative support to the Education Department such as library work, record keeping, arts & crafts prep for special events and other needed areas.

Participating in a variety of promotional, corporate, private and special events.

Helping our youngest visitors explore the wonders of the new Children's Zoo.

Volunteers should be prepared to serve in any of the capacities listed above. They should be flexible and adapt readily to new activities. All decisions regarding work assignments will be made by the Coordinator of Volunteers or the day captain.

Functions of the CPZ Volunteer Program
The basic function of the volunteer program is to educate and inform visitors regarding the Zoo's exhibits and programs. Because of its small size, the CPZ Education Department could not possibly reach the large numbers of people who visit the Zoo without the assistance of volunteers. For many visitors, a volunteer will be the only CPZ/WCS representative they encounter. A second function of the program, therefore, is to continue the public impression of the CPZ as a well-run organization, staffed by competent, helpful and courteous people. It is essential for every volunteer to keep in mind that he/she is a representative of Society and to act accordingly.

Time Commitment Required of Volunteers
The minimum time commitment required of weekday volunteers is one day per week and weekend volunteers one full day every other weekend. Arrangements may be made with the Coordinator of Volunteers to work additional days, if desired.

The Zoo is open every day of the year, including all holidays. Volunteer staff is needed 365 days a year. Guides are encouraged and expected to make up missed days.

After acceptance into the program, each volunteer is asked to make a commitment to the CPZ for a minimum of one year, commencing with the successful completion of the training course.

Training
All volunteers are required to complete a multi-week training course taught by CPZ staff. A modest fee will be charged for course materials. Final acceptance of a volunteer into the program is contingent on successful completion of the training course and a 3-month probationary period.

Volunteers will also be required to a attend a minimum of three continuing education programs per year.

Program Organization
The Coordinator of Volunteers and the Curator of Education have overall responsibility for selecting, scheduling, supervising and evaluating volunteers. Each day of the week will have a day captain who will be elected by the day's members or appointed by the Coordinator of Volunteers. The day captain will be directly responsible for assigning work to that day's volunteers, making up a daily schedule, supervising volunteers, and maintaining records for the day. If a problem arises that the day captain cannot handle, he/she should take it to the Coordinator of Volunteers.

To print out an application to volunteer at the Central Park Zoo  click here.