Hello Interested Volunteer Candidate
Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Program! You are on your way to learning about the amazing
opportunities available to you as a volunteer at the Minnesota Zoo. The application process is easy!
Step 1 Essay Questions
Please answer the essay questions below on a separate sheet of paper. Your responses may be typed or handwritten. Each
response should be at least 75 words. Attach responses to pages three and four of this document when mailing to the Zoo.
1. Describe two strengths and/or talents that you would bring to the Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Program.
2. Why does volunteering at the Minnesota Zoo appeal to you?
3. How do you feel about animals in human care in a zoo setting?
Step 2 Application Form
Please complete the application form found on pages three and four of this document and mail to
Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Office
13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Step 3 Attend Appropriate Information/Interview Sessions Training or Shadow Days
Select the volunteer program below in which you are interested and follow the instructions for that program.
.
Conservation Carousel
Event
Farm
Seasonal Interpretive
ZooTeen
After we receive your application, you will be sent a link to sign up on-line for an information and/or interview
session. Group presentations will provide you with more information about volunteering at the Zoo and specific
information about your program. Individual interviews will take place at this time as there is a selection process.
Not all applicants may be accepted into the program of their choice. Pre-registration is required and sessions fill
quickly. Applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent present at the session.
Adult Interpretive
Please call 952-431-9588 to schedule a shadow day at your earliest convenience. Complete the application form
and questions. During this day, you will spend your time following a trained volunteer around the Zoo to see
exactly what volunteers do during a typical day. This is a great way to find out if our volunteer program is the right
program for you. This day also includes a short interview in the afternoon where you will have a chance to ask
questions and get more information about the program and training. Shadow days must be completed two weeks
prior to the start of the fall training program. You can find the training dates on the next page.
Gift Shop and Office Assistant Volunteers
Call 952-431-9202 for current openings and training.
And it is just that easy! We hope to see your application in the mail soon. If you have questions, please call 952-431-9588.
Keep This Page for Your Reference
Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Program
Information Interview & Training Calendar 2015
Select ONE program below. If you are not sure which program best meets your interest, call us at 952-431-9588.
Adult Interpretive Basic Training Program
Ages 18 & up
Shadow day scheduled at your convenience must be completed at least two weeks before the Orientation date below.
Wednesday September 9
6:00pm-8:30pm Orientation
Saturday September 19
9:00am-4:00pm Northern Trail
Saturday September 26
9:00am-4:00pm Minnesota Trail
Saturday October 3
9:00am-4:00pm Sealife Trails
Saturday October 10
9:00am-4:00pm Tropics Trail
Saturday October 17
9:00am-4:00pm Farm Interpretation & Customer Service
Saturday October 24
9:00am-4:00pm Make up day for a training session you missed
Seasonal Volunteer Program
Ages 17 and up
Information & Interview Sessions Must attend one session
Saturday, March 14
10:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-3:00pm
Sunday, April 12
1:00-3:00pm
Monday, April 27
6:30-8:30pm
Training Class
Saturday, May 9
Summer Camp ZooTeen Volunteer Program
Information & Interview Sessions Must attend one session
Sunday, March 1
1:30-3:30pm
Saturday, March 7
10:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-3:30pm
Family Farm Volunteer Program Ages 17 & up
Information & Interview Sessions Must attend one session
Saturday, March 14
10:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-3:30pm
Sunday, April 12
1:00-3:00pm
Monday, April 27
6:30-8:30pm
8:00am-5:00pm
Ages 13-18 years of age Must be 13 by June 1 of 2015
Training Class Must attend only one date
Saturday, May 9
8:00am-4:00pm
OR
Monday, June 22
8:00am-4:00pm
Training Class Must attend both days
Saturday, May 9
8:00am-2:00pm
Sunday, May 17
1:00-5:00pm
Conservation Carousel Volunteer Program Ages 17 & up
Information & Interview Sessions Must attend one session
Monday, March 9
7:00-8:30pm
Saturday, April 18
10:00-11:30am
Event Volunteer Program
Training Class Must attend one session
Saturday, March 28
10:00am-12noon
Monday, April 27
5:30pm-7:30pm
Ages 18 & up
Information, Interview & Training Sessions
Saturday, April 18
1:00-4:00pm
Department and Office Assistant Volunteer Program Ages 18 & up
Gift Shop Volunteer Ages 18 & up
Corporate and Community Volunteer Program
Call 952-431-9202 for details on available openings in the above three programs
Keep This Page for Your Reference
Page 3 of Application
Last Name _________________________________First Legal Name__________________________Middle_____________ Prefer to be called_______________________
Address_____________________________________________________________City___________________________________Zip_______________________________
Phone Home _____________________________________Work_____________________________________________Cell______________________________________
E-mail Address _____________________________________________________________Birth Date and Year _________________________________________________
Highlighted areas must be completed if you are 17 years of age or younger
Parent/Guardian_____________________________________________Relationship_____________________________________Lives in home with applicant Yes
No
Day Phone__________________________________Cell_________________________________E-mail______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian_____________________________________________Relationship_____________________________________Lives in home with applicant Yes
No
Day Phone__________________________________Cell_________________________________E-mail______________________________________________________
Emergency Contact____________________________________Relationship________________Day Phone_________________________Cell_______________________
Emergency Contact____________________________________Relationship________________Day Phone_________________________Cell_______________________
School/College_______________________________________Grade/year if currently attending__________ Major/Degree/Year Obtained_________________________
Current / Former Employer_____________________________________Position________________________How Long at Position or How Long Retired_____________
Current / Former Volunteer Positions______________________________
Are you or have you ever been a Minnesota Zoo Member
Have you ever volunteered at the Minnesota Zoo
How did you find out about our Volunteer Program
Have you attended at the Zoo
YES
_________________________________
NO
____________________________________
Please list member number______________________________________
YES NO Please provide last name if different from current last name_____________________________________
Website
Summer Camps Education Classes
Word of Mouth
SES
Visiting Zoo
Travel Programs
Lectures
Radio
Social Media
Conservation Fundraisers
st
Newspaper
Beastly Balls
nd
Zoo Events
rd
Choose one program and tell us when you are available to volunteer Please indicate which day is your 1 , 2 & 3 choice
 Adult Interpretive Volunteer Program—18 years of age and older
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1/3 Saturday 1/3 Sunday  2/4 Saturday
2/4 Sunday
(Sat. & Sun. availability will have priority when we select volunteers. Some days may be full and have no open volunteer spots)
 Seasonal Interpretive Program—17 years of age and older
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
10:00am-2:00pm 2:00-6:00pm
(Sat. & Sun. availability will have priority when we select volunteers. Some days may be full and have no open volunteer spots)
 Summer Camp ZooTeen Volunteer Program—13-18 years of age
Monday
Tuesday
Morning shift
Wednesday Thursday Friday
Afternoon shift
 Farm Volunteer Program—17 years of age and older
All shifts are 10:00am-3:00pm
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
(Sat. & Sun. availability will have priority when we select volunteers. Some days may be full and have no open volunteer spots)
 Carousel Volunteer Program—17 years of age and older
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Morning shift
Afternoon shift
Sunday
Morning shift
Afternoon shift
Morning shift
Afternoon shift
Morning shift
Afternoon shift
 Event Volunteer Program—18 years of age and older Shift times vary
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday
 Department and Office Volunteer Program—18 years of age and older
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
 Gift Shop Volunteer Program—18 years of age and older
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Evening shift
Page 4 of Application
References - Please provide two work, school or personal references, not relatives, whom we may contact
regarding your application
Name_____________________________________________Relationship______________________________________
Day Phone_________________________Email___________________________________________________________
Address City Zip_____________________________________________________________________________________
Name_____________________________________________Relationship______________________________________
Day Phone_________________________Email___________________________________________________________
Address City Zip_____________________________________________________________________________________
By signing below, I authorize investigation of all information contained in this application and/or provided in my interview. Any persons
or organizations I have listed are authorized to provide information including, but not limited to, employment, performance, disciplinary
or attendance records, volunteer history or character. I certify that the facts I have given in my volunteer application are true and
correct. I understand that any false, misleading or concealment of information on this application is sufficient cause for disqualification
or immediate discharge.
•
•
•
•
•
•
I understand that there will be an interview in addition to my application.
I understand that a selection process is used in the recruitment phase and not all applicants are accepted into a program.
I understand that the ZooTeen, Farm and Seasonal Interpretive Programs run 12-14 weeks each summer. My summer
schedule will allow me to miss no more than two weeks of volunteering from Memorial Day-Labor Day.
I understand that the Adult Interpretive, Event, Gift Shop and Office are year-round programs.
I understand that the Carousel Program runs from April through October weather dependent.
I understand that I will need to agree to a Child Protection Background Check with Fingerprinting before I may begin
volunteering. (This background check is completed on teenagers as well)
__________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________
Print Name
Signature
Date
If applicant is under 18 years of age, parent must sign below as well as the applicant above
__________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________
Print Name
Signature
Date
Minnesota Zoo
Return pages three and four of this application along essay answers to
Volunteer Office
Volunteer Office 952-431-9588
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Volunteer Office E-mail [email protected]
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Volunteer Office Fax: 952-431-9236