Is there an age requirement? Volunteers must be at least 18 years old for ongoing regular volunteer roles.High school students are eligible for the camp teen volunteer position and some special event roles. Collapse

What is the volunteer commitment? Volunteers commit to six months for seasonal and year-round positions. Our ZooMonitor position is a one-year commitment.Our seasonal positions typically run from April through October. Those include: Edible Garden volunteer, Nature Boardwalk gardening, and main zoo gardening.Our year-round positions include: guest engagement volunteer, play assistant, zoo ambassador, ZooMonitor volunteer, and animal enrichment volunteer.Volunteers come to the zoo once a week on a pre-assigned shift and a typical shift lasts approximately three or four hours. Collapse

Do you provide parking? During the busy season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), volunteers pay $9 to park in the lot on Cannon Drive. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, volunteers can park for free. Lincoln Park Zoo is also accessible by CTA. Collapse

Do I get to interact with animals? The guest engagement volunteer position is the only role at Lincoln Park Zoo that has some limited interaction with the animals. That only happens after the volunteer completes training, and it is subject to change depending on the needs of the animals and/or recommendations from staff. Collapse

When should I apply to volunteer at Lincoln Park Zoo? The best time to apply for summer positions is between January and April.However, applications for year-round positions are accepted throughout the year. Collapse

What is your application process like? The typical volunteer application process includes: - Submitting an online volunteer application - If possible, attending a volunteer information session (held in late winter/early spring) - Receiving an informational email (if information sessions unavailable) - Successfully completing an interview - Completing background check - Attending orientation - Attending training Collapse

I filled out an application for a volunteer position but have not heard anything. What should I do? All submitted applications are reviewed, but we only contact applicants who are being invited to interview. If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks, please email volunteer@lpzoo.org to find out the status of your application. Collapse

Do I have to wear a uniform? In most cases, yes. Our standard uniform includes a Lincoln Park Zoo polo shirt, khaki colored pants/shorts, and closed-toe shoes. This uniform is required for the following positions: guest engagement volunteer, zoo ambassador, and play assistant.Main zoo gardening, Nature Boardwalk gardening, and Edible Garden volunteers are required to wear a Lincoln Park Zoo gardening shirt, pants, or shorts of their choosing, as well as closed-toe shoes. ZooMonitor volunteers and animal enrichment volunteers are not required to wear a uniform. Collapse

Do I still attend my shift in inclement weather? Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and rarely closes due to adverse weather conditions. We ask that volunteers come in prepared for the weather that day; however, volunteer safety comes first, and there is no penalty for calling off due to weather-related concerns. Collapse

Is there a cost associated with volunteering? There is a one-time $15 fee for all volunteer positions to cover the cost of name tags and ID cards. Collapse

How long is zoo orientation? Zoo orientation is a day-long program that all volunteers and staff members attend. It is typically held on Mondays, but a handful are offered on Saturdays during the spring. Collapse