The Minnesota Zoo has a corps of about 700 volunteers who donate more than 90,000 hours of service every year to the organization. The impact of this incredible level of service is equivilant to about 42 additional full-time staff positions and a savings in salary dollars of about $1.5 million. “I love interacting with guests, of all ages, who ask lots of questions, and enjoy watching their excitement when they see or learn something new.” Stephanie Fox, volunteer From one day to another the job is never the same. Volunteers at the Minnesota Zoo work in about 70 different program areas and that means I have to keep myself informed on what's going on all around the Zoo. The opportunity to learn something new everyday is awesome! Sheri White Commers, Director Volunteer Service Programs I never go home at the end of the day having finished everything that needs to be accomplished.  And because volunteers might only be in once or twice in a month, if they have questions or need to see me, I have to be flexible enough to make myself available to volunteers with little notice...seven days a week.   Sheri White Commers, Director Volunteer Service Programs

Volunteer Manager
Educational backgrounds and experience to prepare you for a career in volunteer management might include public administration, communication, education, or fund raising/development just to name a few. Become a volunteer at organizations that promote or support causes that are important to you. You'll find job postings on the sites below. Consider positions that might coordinate a program that utilizes volunteers. For instance coordinating a tour program for schools might involve managing volunteers who give the tours. A special event manager may be responsible for coodinating volunteers that assist with the events for an organization. Primary responsibilities include program planning, budgeting, recruiting, training, supervising, mediating, recognizing, and evaluating programs and people. People is the name of the game...you have to enjoy working with people from all walks of life in all different capacities--volunteers, paid staff, clients, guests, and board members.

Becoming a Volunteer
The Minnesota Zoo has openings for adult interpretive volunteers, zooteen volunteers, farm volunteers,program support volunteers, and event volunteers. Please see the link below for more information about how to volunteer at the Zoo.

Opportunities at the Zoo
Volunteer

Links
Websurfing will produce many sites for seminars and programs geared towards volunteer management.  The following sites are particularly useful:
www.avaintl.org
www.mavanetwork.org
www.volunteertwincities.org