Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Interested in helping at the zoo? There are 2 paths you can choose. You can become a volunteer or a docent.
Volunteers help with activities such as:
- Animal meal prep
-
Fundraising initiatives
-
Special events
- Community outreach
-
Seasonal gardening at the zoo
Docents are educators, and speak with the public about the zoo mission and our animal ambassadors. Docents can help with all of the previously listed volunteer activities, as well as:
-
Roam the zoo speaking to the public about the animals
-
Lead/assist with group tours
-
Assist as Keeper’s Helper (cleaning enclosures, enrichment preparation, etc. – no direct animal contact)
Our training program begins with a 1-day orientation that includes information about both paths. It is your decision at the end of the day as to which path is right for you. If you choose to become a docent, there are 4 more scheduled sessions of training after the initial orientation day. Training occurs four times a year.
An interview will be scheduled after your application is received. After your interview, if you are accepted into the training program, we do ask you to become a member, which helps offset the cost of training materials and your uniform. Because the zoo is a county-run facility, a Livescan (fingerprinting and background check) is required prior to allowing you to serve without supervision. 60 hours of FOBBAZ service are required yearly.
We would love to have you come in so we can learn more about you and you can learn more about us! If you are interested, please tap the button below and fill out an application.
