Volunteer

For those interested in working with animals and the public, Tautphaus Park Zoo offers three volunteer programs. Zoo Docents are adult volunteer educators who participate in a variety of year-round projects both on and off grounds for the benefit of the zoo. The Zoo Corp are adult volunteers who provide on-grounds support for zoo staff by working directly with staff on a variety of projects and daily maintenance. The Junior Zoo Crew is a summer program for 13-17 year olds that work with the animal collection in the Children's Zoo and Education Department. Participation in a program is required for volunteers at Tautphaus Park Zoo and participation begins with an application. Contact the zoo’s Education Department at (208) 612-8418 for more information on these exciting volunteer programs.

Docents:

Join in the fun at the Tautphaus Park Zoo by becoming a zoo Docent. Docents are volunteer educators who share the zoo’s important messages about conservation education. They participate in educational programs such as Zoo mobiles, Tours, on-grounds presentations that use live animals and bio facts, and may assist in the care of the zoo’s animal ambassadors.

The requirements include the commitment of a minimum of 35 hours per year (with an additional 21 hours for training in Spring) and individuals must be a minimum of 18 years old. The estimated startup cost for a Docent Ranger is $90.00. Docent rangers are required to purchase a uniform, a membership to the Tautphaus Park Zoological Society and a Docent manual.

Click here for a Docent Application.>>

Zoo Corp:

Zoo Corp is a volunteer program at the zoo for adults over 18 willing to donate 35 hours each year (with an additional 7 hours of basic training in Spring) helping the zoo. Zoo Corp members will help the zoo staff maintain grounds, clean exhibits, prepare animal diets and provide support at the zoo’s special events. Interested parties must submit an application. Zoo Corp applications are available after January first each year and training is usually held in early Spring. The estimated startup cost for a new Zoo Corp is $45.00.

Junior Zoocrew:

Hey teens! Looking for a great way to spend the summer? Jr. Zoo Crew is a volunteer program for teens 13-17. Jr. Zoo Crew members help the keepers in the Children’s Zoo by feeding and cleaning animals, answering questions from the public and helping with the “Animal Encounters” show and special events. Each Jr. Zoo Crew member is required to work three 3 ½ hour shifts per week from mid-June to late August. The cost of this program is $80 for TPZS members and $90 for nonmembers. To be considered for this program, you must submit an application by May 1. Applicants will then complete an interview and, if accepted, an orientation session and training. Now the fun begins as you start your job as a member of the Junior Zoo Crew!