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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Welcome to Volunteer Engagement at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium!
We are looking for people who...
- Are interested in caring for nature
- Want to be a partner in the PDZA mission
- Approach others and Wild Life with empathy and kindness.
- Want to share their passion for conservation
- Can welcome all to PDZA with respect, honesty, and integrity
On this page, you will find descriptions for our current open positions. Please note that not all positions are listed; some positions are seasonal in nature and others are not be open year-round. Others may not be open due to program capacity.
If you do not see the position you're interested in, we recommend checking back during our next application period in August. You can join our application waitlist here: Volunteer Waitlist Form
To apply, please click the 'Fill in an application' button on the top right side of the screen (desktop)/below (mobile view).
Opportunities at PDZA
Aquarium Diver
What to expect in this role: Diving shifts take place in either the Pacific Seas Aquarium or the Tropical Reef Aquarium during normal Zoo hours. Dive show shifts involve speaking to a live audience via microphone for approximately twenty minutes. Loud noises are common. Applicants may be asked to complete an assessment dive with PDZA dive officers prior to orientation.
Qualifications:
Volunteers applying for this position must meet the minimum qualifications:
- Minimum of 18 years of age
- Must be certified by a nationally recognized scuba organization to the level of rescue diver or willing to achieve this certification prior to beginning in-water training at PDZA
- Must have a minimum of 12 dives in Washington or similar cold-water environment
- Supply all dive gear for initial checkout dive(s). For regular shifts, only cold water exposure protection (wetsuit or drysuit, boots, gloves, hood) and a mask are required.
- Supply cost of dive physical
- Maintain current CPR and Oxygen Administration Certification
- Abide by all standards of the PDZA dive manual, including logging all PDZA dives and volunteer hours
- Able and willing to talk with guests in a positive manner
Application Process
- Complete a general volunteer application Application (button on top right of this page)
- Complete the dive application and attach to your My Impact application
- Complete the medical waiver
- After attending a supervisor interview, you’ll complete an assessment dive with our dive team. Final acceptance as a volunteer is contingent upon the assessment dive and attending Zoo Orientation
- Priority consideration will be given to those with weekday availability or Scientific Diver training
To apply, please click the 'Fill in an application' button on the previous page (desktop) or below (mobile view).
Wildlife Champions Park Week Assistant
Park week assistants assist and support the Wildlife Champions staff in teaching outdoor lessons that instill empathy for wildlife and stewardship for nature within Arlington and Lister Elementary students through visits to the neighboring natural areas (Oak Tree Park and Swan Creek Park).
What to expect in this role: This is a weekday-only position that takes place in an elementary school between the hours of 8am and 4pm. This position involves working with children in grades K through 5. Shifts occur in all weather conditions. After arriving at the school, volunteers assist in distributing rain coats to students and then help students safely cross a busy street and enter the park (distance: one-tenth of a mile). This is a physically active role, with sitting, standing, kneeling, and walking. Loud noises are common. The volunteers and students present will differ with each shift.
Minimum commitment: we ask that new volunteers complete at least 4 park week shifts between onboarding (first week of March) and May 1.
To apply, please click the 'Fill in an application' button on the previous page (desktop) or below (mobile view).
