Are you interested in volunteering at Dublin Zoo?

Why do we need volunteers?

As a charity, Dublin Zoo volunteers play a vital role in our mission for conservation as part of the Conservation Education Department. We need volunteers to be conservation champions and ambassadors for wildlife, to align our conservation message to the visitor journey and inspire a passion for nature through a variety of volunteering duties.

What do volunteers do?

Our volunteers engage with visitors about our animals, the purpose of Dublin Zoo, our conservation partners, our history, and what they can do to help protect wildlife. Our volunteering duties complement the overall conservation education and visitor engagement work of Dublin Zoo. Our volunteers take part in a variety of volunteering duties, all of which are valued and have an impact on our conservation mission. 

Volunteer duties do not involve direct contact with zoo animals.

Benefits of Volunteering with Dublin Zoo

Becoming a Dublin Zoo volunteer creates opportunities for meeting new people, being active outdoors and offers many opportunities to learn more about the importance of wildlife and conservation.

Dublin Zoo volunteers receive comprehensive training, a free uniform, regular ‘ZOONOOZ’ updates, and can attend zoo social events, lectures and zoo themed trips.

What Our Volunteers Think

“It's always good to meet different people and moreover people with different needs and expectations, communicating with adults and children and seeing their respective recognition light up their faces is so rewarding. Passing on information and interesting little-known facts is also so rewarding, thinking that you may have encouraged someone to think differently about our environment and the Animals in it is fantastic.”

“I think this experience has improved my confidence and public speaking immensely. It also has been a great social outlet - it’s lovely being around likeminded people. Since I finished college and friends have moved etc there has been a bit of a gap in my life and volunteering really helped stave off any loneliness. I’m really grateful to have been accepted into the volunteer programme.”

“On taking early retirement I was looking for something that would stimulate and challenge me and being a volunteer has delivered on that. I also lived abroad for 10 years so joining the programme has introduced me to a whole new circle of acquaintances. It also is important to me to be active in supporting the conservation of the world’s endangered species”

The Dublin Zoo Volunteer Programme requires applicants to:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have an interest and enthusiasm for people, wildlife and conservation (you do not need to have a background in conservation or education).
• Be available to volunteer one four-hour shift per week for the busy summer season March to August.
• Complete Garda Vetting.
• Be available for an open day and interview on one of the following dates: 26th January, 28th January, 4th February, 6th February 2027.
• Be able to attend 3 training days on the 20th February, 27th February, 6th March 2027.

Closing date for applications is January 8th 2027.