Volunteer Opportunities

Ambassador

All volunteers begin as Park and Zoo ambassadors. In this role, volunteers greet and welcome visitors as they enter the Zoo or explore the Park, provides information and directions, and share the news of the day regarding special events and activities. And, of course, as our diplomats of customer service, you do it all with a smile!

As ambassadors for the Park and Zoo, volunteers enrich the visitor experience by:

• providing a welcoming environment for visitors
• answering questions, providing directions, and sharing news about the Park and Zoo
• relaying visitor feedback and comments to Park and Zoo staff

Interpreter

If you are outgoing and love making facts “come alive” for an audience, we need you on our team. Using interpretive techniques and tools, Volunteer Interpreters interact with adults and children throughout the Zoo, sharing information about our animals and inspiring a connection to the environment and conservation. Additional training is provided. 

Through conversation and storytelling, interpreters enhance the visitor experience by:

• promoting an appreciation of our animals and their environments
• inspiring a connection to the environment and conservation

Visitor Services Concierge

Concierge volunteers assist the Visitor Services team at the Zoo entrance in this high energy position. They guide visitors from around the world and here at home through the use of self-service ticket kiosks, answer questions and keep the lineups moving.

Concierge volunteers enhance the visitor experience by:

• providing line support and guiding visitors through the use of self-service ticket kiosks
• answering questions, providing directions and highlighting key attractions and experiences
• helping visitors plan and make the most out of their Zoo visit

Zoo Camp Crew

This is a unique opportunity for youth age 14 to 18 to earn community service hours while working with 4 to 12 year old children under the direction of our Education team. The Zoo Camp Crew supports camp staff as campers participate in a variety of activities and explore the Zoo and Park. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 40 hours served in one week blocks in July and August (weekdays only). Special fast track orientation and training provided.

The Zoo Camp Crew enhance the camp experience by:

• entertaining campers during free time and befriending individual campers as needed
• setting a positive example and fostering an appreciation of nature
• assisting staff with set-up, take-down, and clean-up during camp activities

Other Opportunities 

Special Events 

Special Events Volunteers help with a variety of events in both the Park and Zoo throughout the year including Zoo promotions, Brew at the Zoo, Wildest Dreams, and more! Activities include arts and crafts, reading stories, face painting, and other activities unique to each particular event. 

Bus Marshal and School Navigators

In May and June, Bus Marshals and School Navigators assist the Visitor Services team at the Zoo entrance by greeting buses, organizing groups, and providing a positive first experience for our visitors to the Zoo.

Special Volunteer Opportunities

Conservation Volunteer Opportunities

Available for students pursuing college or university training in social or natural sciences of other related fields. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have easy access to a computer and/or smart phone. Learn More

Group Volunteering

Businesses, schools and community organizations of 5 – 15 people are welcome to apply for the opportunity to come out and help beautify the park. We supply the equipment and you supply the people power to pick up litter throughout the park. Volunteers must be 16+ years of age. We require at least one adult volunteer chaperone for every 10 volunteers between 16 and 18 years of age. Request must be received at least 30 days in advance. Please contact our team at volunteer@assiniboinepark.ca to learn more. 

Master Gardeners

We are recruiting Master Gardeners and Master Gardeners in Training (those with a minimum of 7 completed courses) to volunteer as Master Gardener Ambassadors in the Park and Zoo. Our MG Ambassadors provide horticulture and park information to our visitors in the English and Leo Mol Gardens. They also have the opportunity to share their knowledge in the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden and Toucan Ridge (year round) in the Zoo. Note: Master Gardener Ambassadors do not work with plants. All Master Gardener Ambassadors participate in the complete Assiniboine Park Conservancy Volunteer Training and are eligible for the Volunteer Rewards and Recognition Program as well as all the other benefits of being an APC Volunteer. 

Zoo Lights Festival

Volunteers play a major role in supporting Zoo Lights Festival! Zoo Lights Festival volunteers must be 16 years of age and older. This is an opportunity to sample what volunteering is like at Assiniboine Park Conservancy. Details about this opportunity will be published when recruitment begins in the fall.