Put Your Passion for Wildlife to Work!

A limited number of volunteer positions are available each year with the San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research.  All of the options require scientific backgrounds and are usually filled by applicants with degrees in related fields.  If you do not have prior experience we encourage you to apply for our Information Ambassador Volunteer Program initially.

APPLIED ANIMAL ECOLOGY
For biodiversity monitoring the Wild Animal Park, volunteers are needed for pitfall trapping. Volunteers meet around sunrise at the Beckman Center and work outdoors through mid-day, or until all traps are checked. Volunteers should be fit for walking on trails and working in the heat. Volunteers are required to participate regularly and must complete required training.

For bear conservation research at the Zoo, volunteers are needed to collect behavioral data on giant pandas, sun bears and polar bears. Data entry and management are equally important parts of our research program, and volunteers are welcome in these areas as well. These volunteer positions are open to anyone who can master our ethogram and/or data protocols, and can commit to a regular schedule twice a week. A minimum commitment of one year is preferred.

APPLIED PLANT ECOLOGY
Volunteers are needed in Escondido for habitat monitoring, adaptive management, and seed banking.

BEHAVIORAL BIOLOGY
Volunteer opportunities for Behavioral Biology are often short-term and depend upon immediate project needs. Projects vary throughout the year.  Persons with a background in animal behavior who are detail-oriented and familiar with ethograms are preferred.  All opportunities include assisting with behavioral observation projects and recording behavioral data.

GENETICS
This volunteer opportunity includes assisting with basic laboratory procedures.

REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY
Reproductive Physiology volunteers assist researchers with a wide variety of projects that may include oocyte and sperm analysis, PCR and gel electrophoresis, hormone assays, tissue dissection, sectioning and staining, and cell culture in the physiology and/or endocrinology labs. (A more complete description of our projects can be found in the conservation science pages of this website.) Experience with standard laboratory equipment (microscope, centrifuge, pH meter, balance, etc.) is helpful, as is a basic knowledge of reproduction and endocrinology. Data entry and imaging projects involve familiarity with computer programs including Word, Excel, PhotoShop, Powerpoint, FileMaker and EndNote.

WILDLIFE DISEASE LABS
The Wildlife Disease Laboratories are engaged in a wide variety of challenging investigations designed to maximize the health and well-being of our animals, as well as endangered species around the globe. We currently have a need for volunteers in our Molecular Diagnostics Lab to evaluate biological samples by PCR, enter data into computerized databases, and assist with data analysis. We also have opportunities for volunteers to enter animal test result data into an electronic format in our Clinical Laboratory at the Harter Veterinary Medical Center at the Wild Animal Park.

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be 21 years or older
• Have a positive attitude and strictly adhere to our world-class policies, procedures, grooming, and customer service standards
• Complete an on-line application including references related to volunteer position and requirements
• Successfully complete an interview with our volunteer interview panel
• Successfully complete an interview with the Institute for Conservation Research
• Provide a negative TB test annually
• Attend and complete an orientation
• Attend and complete any training specific to the area scheduled
• Commit to volunteering a minimum of 60 hours annually
  

"At the end of the day I believe I have made a positive contribution." —Susan Valle