Organization Policies
ADULT VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS CLOSE FEBRUARY 23rd, 2026 @ NOON
Please note: We only accept a limited number of volunteers each year. If your application is not accepted during this recruitment period, we warmly invite you to apply again next year. Thank you for your understanding and interest in becoming a volunteer.
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
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Volunteers are required to complete a 50-hour commitment each calendar year to remain an active volunteer. We offer a variety of volunteer shifts throughout the year, providing flexibility to meet this requirement.
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Volunteers start their journey by applying to our general volunteer program, where volunteering is primarily focused on Visitor Engagement, Special Events and Conservation Education roles. These opportunities are strongly focused on engaging with the public and interacting with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
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Advanced volunteer opportunities such as Animal Care, Health & Welfare, Horticulture and Conservation & Science become available on an as needed basis and are filled from our pool of internal active volunteers who have completed a 20-hour probation in general volunteer roles.
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Please note: Volunteers do not interact with or handle animals.
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The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo employees and volunteers working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
- We’re excited to get to know you! While artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful for brainstorming or organizing your thoughts, we ask that your final answers be written in your own words. This helps us understand your unique experiences and perspectives, and ensures a fair and authentic application process for everyone. If responses appear copied, pasted, or primarily generated by AI, your application may not move forward.
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If applicants use supports for volunteer activities—such as a support person through an agency, family managed services (PDD), or a family member—we welcome applicants to let us know once their application is accepted. We will then connect to share additional information about our processes. If you would like to learn more before applying, please email volunteer@calgaryzoo.com.
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We strongly encourage applicants to answer questions thoroughly and provide details on what makes them a great fit to be a volunteer with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
- Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
- Read the questions carefully.
- Check your application over before submitting it.
- Questions requiring written answers will include length guidelines.
- Some questions include an information bubble (orange square with an "i") that provides additional details (example pictured below). Click on the "i" icon to view the additional details for that question.
Steps to Volunteer
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has a standard volunteer application and screening process for all applicants to the volunteer program.
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Fill out an online application. All applicants will receive an email letting them know the outcome of their application.
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If accepted, the volunteer applicant will be contacted to attend a group interview**.
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If accepted after the group interview, the volunteer applicant will be asked to attend a group orientation & training session.
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Complete training as required, including a 20-hour probationary period.
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Commit to 50 volunteer hours per calendar year. Volunteer shifts are offered daily during zoo opening hours only. Evening opportunities are limited to special event support (i.e., ZOOLIGHTS).
** WHAT TO EXPECT IN A GROUP INTERVIEW
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The interview will be completed in person at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
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Participants will be asked to speak in front of a mixed group of staff members and other volunteer applicants.
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There will be individual questions. Participants should be comfortable speaking in a group setting.
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Participants will be asked to have unique answers to their questions.
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Potential volunteers will be evaluated on skills, such as communication.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's purpose is that we act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us and our vision is a future where people and wildlife thrive, together. Our Volunteer Code of Conduct is a statement which reflects our organizational values, communicates expectations and provides standards for our activities.
As a Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo volunteer I agree to:
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Demonstrate integrity, respect and professionalism to all,
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Follow all Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo policies and procedures,
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Fulfill responsibilities in a timely fashion and participate in orientation and training,
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Uphold the purpose, values and strategic priorities of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo,
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Contribute to a positive working environment,
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Act with honesty and integrity when dealing with visitors, property and other organizational assets on behalf of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, including any Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo related activities,
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Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of others,
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Serve as a representative of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to the public, and agree to uphold the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's reputation & integrity,
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Refrain from making public statements to the media without prior approval,
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Communicate with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo with regards to any conflict of interest or legal barriers to perform assigned tasks.
I understand that failure to adhere to any part of this Code of Conduct may result in corrective action and/or termination of my volunteer relationship with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. I further understand that engaging in the volunteer activities may expose me to potential hazards. I voluntarily agree to assume such risks and to release the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo from any liability in respect of personal injuries, loss of life or property loss related to my volunteer activities.
What You Consent and Agree to
By providing us with your personal information through this volunteer application, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information for the purposes described above. If we plan to use personal information we have collected for a purpose not previously identified, we will advise you of this purpose before such use.
We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of personal information under our control in support of this commitment.
As a volunteer applicant of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, information submitted in this application will be stored and processed for management and administrative use.
