Prospect Park Zoo Volunteer Program

The Prospect Park Zoo offers three ways to volunteer. As a Discovery Center volunteer, you’ll assist children and families in the Zoo’s interactive Discovery Center on weekends. As a Discovery Guide, you’ll answer questions about animals, direct visitors around the zoo, help out at special events and run children’s activities. As an Education Docent you’ll interpret animal exhibits, lead tours, manage discovery stations, and train as an animal handler and present live animal encounters to the public.

Discovery Guides
Are you a teen interested in wildlife? Then consider becoming a Prospect Park Zoo Discovery Guide! Teen volunteers help to maintain a friendly atmosphere for zoo visitors by staffing exhibit areas, assisting with special events, and talking to the public. Zoo internships can satisfy school community service hours, be applied toward school credit (check with your school), provide an introduction to careers in the animal field, or be a satisfying part of a summer vacation.

Applicants must be at least 14 years old, have completed middle school, and have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation. The deadline for summer applications is April 1st.

Teen Volunteer Application 


Education Docents
Prospect Park Zoo is looking for dedicated adults who are willing to become Zoo Docents. As a volunteer educator, your level of commitment to the zoo is much greater than that of a seasonal volunteer. Those who are accepted into the program will attend weekly training sessions for approximately four months. Session topics will include conservation, biology, and informal learning. Once you have successfully completed training, you’ll be ready to give tours, manage discovery stations throughout the zoo, and help with special events. Applicants with backgrounds in science and/or education are encouraged to apply, but those with an interest in animals are needed as well. If you would like to begin volunteering before the docent training begins, you can begin your volunteer experience as a Discovery Center volunteer or Discovery Guide.

Adult Application

For more information or to apply to be a volunteer contact Debbie Dieneman at (718) 399-7339 Ext. 325 or email ddieneman@wcs.org.