Guest Experience Volunteers

We are delighted to announce that Taronga Zoo Sydney are recruiting for enthusiastic and passionate Guest Experience Volunteers to join our Saturday, Sunday or Monday Teams!

Our Guest Experience Volunteers are at the forefront of delivering unforgettable experiences for the guests who visit Taronga Zoo Sydney each year. Through their support of keeper talks, animal encounters, unique experiences, and special events, our Guest Experience Volunteers engage guests with wildlife and conservation, encouraging them to become advocates For The Wild!

If you’re passionate about conservation and sustainability, enjoy engaging with people from all walks of life, and want to play a part in shaping memorable guest experiences, we would love to hear from you!

About the Role...

Taronga Zoo Sydney’s Guest Experience Volunteers are enthusiastic, adaptable, and people-focused individuals who enjoy engaging with guests from a wide range of backgrounds. Passionate about conservation and sustainability, our Guest Experience Volunteers act as ambassadors For The Wild, using their communication skills, positivity, and enthusiasm to help create meaningful connections between people and wildlife that support Taronga in achieving their vision of securing a shared future for wildlife and people.

Guest Experience Volunteer Duties: 

• • Act as an ambassador ‘For the Wild’ and communicate effectively
  • Represent Taronga in a positive and respectful light
  • Provide excellent customer service that will enhance the experience of our guests, including: 
    
    • • Welcome and farewell guests with a warm and friendly smile
      • Provide advice, recommendations and tips on what to see and how to navigate our extensive site
      • Engage with guests in grounds, offering assistance and wayfinding advice

• • Interpret wildlife behaviour, activations and conservation campaigns
  • Support tour groups, encounters and a variety of experiences

Position Details: 

• • This role is available 7 days per week, however we are primarily looking for people to join our Saturday, Sunday & Monday Teams.
  • Shift times are 8.45am-4pm OR 10am-3pm.
  • Applicants must be available to volunteer one regular shift per week OR per fortnight for a minimum commitment or 12-months (with opportunity for extension)
  • All Taronga Volunteers must be over 18 years of age, acquire and maintain a valid Working with Children Check (FREE for volunteers), and complete a Working Directly with Animals Declaration BEFORE commencing volunteering

Please note: This position will have no direct animal contact. 

To be successful in this role you must:

• • Be capable of working the entire shift in all weather conditions, with a good level of fitness and stamina whilst navigating the steep site of Taronga Zoo Sydney (estimated 10,000 steps per shift)
  • Have a passion for conservation and a willingness to learn about Taronga’s activities and programs, and an interest in sustainability and educating others
  • Possess great communication and interpersonal skills and excellent customer service skills
  • Demonstrate commitment, reliability, and a professional, friendly manner
  • Be able to work autonomously and as part of a diverse team
  • Be able to understand, remember, and independently follow instructions and procedures
  • Be flexible, proactive, and able to cope with changes in schedules and tasks at short notice

Cost: 

A Volunteer Programs Joining Fee of $120.00 will be charged to successful applicants**.

This enables many volunteer benefits, including;

• Taronga Volunteer Uniform; Polo shirt, fleece and optional hat
• Complimentary entry passes to Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo for family and friends*
• Free parking
• Discounts on retail and food outlets, accommodation, products and special programs
• Reciprocal deals and discounts with suppliers and partners
• Presale access and discounts on major events such as Twilight at Taronga
• Taronga Value Awards & recognition scheme
• Early access, sneak peeks and access to internal systems and communications
• National Volunteer Week, International Volunteer Day and other initiatives and events
• Induction, learning and development & networking opportunities
• Opportunity to take part in special events and programs

*Complimentary passes are distributed in December each year.
** Financial hardship support available, please get in touch

How to apply

As part of your application, you will need to outline the reason you wish to become a Taronga Volunteer, as well as responding to each of the selection criteria questions in the application form.