Volunteer Opportunities

Animal Care volunteers play a critical role in supporting our keepers with tasks such as exhibit maintenance, diet preparation, and behavioral enrichment. This work directly contributes to the health and well-being of the animals in our care, so reliability is essential—our animals depend on it!

Volunteers may be placed in one of several areas, including Deserts, Encounters, Marine Mammals, Plains, Primates, or Oceans. These positions follow a consistent, every-other-week schedule, with shifts typically starting as early as 7 a.m. and concluding by noon. A minimum commitment of one year is required.

Animal Care roles are physically demanding and take place in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, in all weather conditions. Tasks may include lifting, stooping, crouching, reaching, climbing ladders, and pushing or pulling equipment. Volunteers must be able to lift 20-50 lbs. depending on assigned area and maintain balance while performing these activities.

Our signature events—Zoobilation, ZooBoo, Christmas at the Zoo, Elegant Vintage’s Wine Auction, Brewfari, xZooberance and the Indianapolis Prize—rely heavily on the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication of volunteers.

As a Special Event volunteer, you may be asked to assist with a variety of tasks, including greeting and engaging guests, staffing activity stations, and supporting behind-the-scenes operations. Roles vary based on the needs of each event and may involve working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Flexibility and a positive attitude are essential.

Volunteers must be able to stand or walk for extended periods and be comfortable in high-energy environments. Some roles may require light lifting or mobility throughout Zoo grounds. Flexible scheduling is often available, especially during seasonal festivals such as ZooBoo and Christmas at the Zoo.

Wild Ambassadors play an important role in inspiring Zoo guests by creating meaningful connections to wildlife and conservation. These volunteers provide informal, on-grounds interpretation using storytelling, artifacts, and interactive activities to engage guests of all ages and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

They enhance the guest experience by sharing compelling stories, communicating conservation messages, answering visitor questions, assisting with seating during Orangutan Learning Demonstrations, and helping maintain public spaces in designated areas. Wild Ambassadors also help guests connect more deeply with exhibits through animal artifacts, hands-on activities, and engaging conversation.

Volunteers in this role must be comfortable interacting with the public, supporting Zoo policies, and remaining in a single location for extended periods. Assignments may take place indoors or outdoors, depending on Zoo needs and event schedules.

Volunteers in this role support education programs by assisting instructors with setting up and cleaning up materials, helping manage activities, and guiding children and their guardians through scheduled program areas. They provide hands-on assistance during activities, offer general support to instructors, and ensure a smooth, engaging experience for participants. Volunteers use Zoo-provided radios to communicate effectively with staff and fellow volunteers and may be assigned additional duties as needed by the Education team.

Join the Indianapolis Zoo’s dedicated team of volunteer SCUBA divers and make a splash behind the scenes! As a certified diver (PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA, or military equivalent), you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the health and cleanliness of our aquatic exhibits, including Oceans and Marine Mammals.

Duties include preparing and maintaining dive gear, cleaning exhibits underwater, assisting with maintenance and repairs, and logging each dive. Divers are also a key part of animal care, observing marine life behaviors and reporting anything unusual to keepers.

As a horticulture volunteer, you’ll assist staff in caring for the stunning White River Gardens and other Zoo grounds, ensuring our plants thrive and create a welcoming environment for guests.

Your duties will include routine plant care such as watering, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, planting, mulching, and transplanting, as well as removing dead plant material and debris. You’ll work outdoors in all weather conditions, engaging in activities that may require lifting, crouching, reaching, and climbing.

This role requires a love of nature, a strong work ethic, and the ability to adapt to different tasks and environments. Volunteers should be prepared for contact with various plants (including poison ivy), and be ready to stay hydrated and protected from the elements with a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.