Thank you for your interest in becoming a Zoo Support Volunteer at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.  

Please fill this form out completely. You must include a resume with your application; please attach a PDF or .doc file in the application.

These positions are highly competitive and there are limited spaces available. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of placement. The Smithsonian Institution and FONZ are committed to providing the safest environment for our staff and volunteers, as well as for our guests. Select applicants will be interviewed by staff, and those that are provisionally accepted will be fingerprinted and must pass a Smithsonian background check for any convictions directly related to the duties and responsiblities of the volunteer role.  Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.All Keeper Support volunteers must also complete a health screening and online training prior to beginning to volunteer.

If you are a current or former volunteer please log in before filling out this form. Go to https://nationalzoo.vsyslive.com to sign in with your email address and password. If you don't remember your password, you can use the link on that page to reset it. For further assistance, contact Suzanne at houghsm@si.edu.

New User Details
Basic Information
Our company does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity or expression. In order to track the effectiveness of our recruiting efforts and ensure we consider the needs of all our volunteers and employees, please tell us what your gender is. (Optional)
Please note: if you are not accepted to this program, we will keep your application on file for three months, and then will delete it.
What day(s) of the week are you available? Please check all that apply.
Home Address
In Case of Emergency (ICE) Contact Information
General Medical Information
Experience
Have you ever volunteered with or worked for FONZ or the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute?
Have you ever held a volunteer position before?
Do you have any previous animal care experience? Explain briefly.
Background and References
Please list TWO references: one employment supervisor or teacher and one non-family member reference:
To ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff, and the animal collection, all provisionally accepted candidates must successfully complete an onboarding process that includes:
* A Smithsonian background check
* A review of volunteer policies, and your agreement to abide by those policies
* Online and in-person safety training
* Clearance from the Smithsonian's health unit (you must show proof of tetanus vaccination within the last ten years, and of TB testing and flu vaccine within the last year)
Our commitment to safety means the completion of the onboarding process will be strictly enforced. Noncompliance with the onboarding process will result in volunteer status being revoked. Please check the box below to indicate you understand and will complete the onboarding process, and that all the information you have provided in this form is true.