Individual Volunteer Opportunities

Help secure a future for wildlife by connecting guests with wildlife and inspire them to take personal responsibility for conserving the natural world.
Do you love animals? Do you want to help secure a future for tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas and other species by inspiring others? If so, consider becoming a Volunteer Zoo Ambassador. Zoo Ambassadors walk the Zoo, greeting and assisting as many guests as possible. They are an important resource in connecting guests to wildlife and conservation. They help provide a fun and safe environment for everyone who visits the Zoo. You can make a difference, join us in securing a future for wildlife. 

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older

• Time Commitment: 40 hours per year

• Qualifications: Friendly and willing to interact with the public, able to stand or walk for up to 3 hours. There are limited opportunities for seated shifts. Willing and able to utilize technology (cell phone, Internet, email).

• Training: All new volunteers will go through a one-day training session with two follow-up mentor sessions led by experienced Zoo volunteers. More details on the training program are available at the information sessions.

Responsibilities

• Help visitors connect with wildlife. Help guest spot animals and inform them of special programs going on at the Zoo.

• Greet guests, assist in crowd control and provide directions when needed.

• Respond informatively to guest questions and concerns. When necessary, connect guests with staff.

• Help guests gain an appreciation for wildlife by modeling respectful behavior towards the animals in the Zoo's care.

• Please note there is no animal handling or direct animal contact involved in any Zoo Ambassador activities.

Current Zoo Ambassadors may apply for other positions at the Zoo as openings arise. These include limited openings in our Docent Program, Operations support and Animal Care roles. Animal Handling and direct animal contact are limited in these roles.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

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Zoo Crew

Teens (ages 13-17) assist Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Education Division by actively participating in various conservation and interpretation projects. For more information, please visit our Zoo Crew Page.

Recruitment Closed

Do you love to hike or bike Cleveland Metroparks 18 reservations? Do you feel the need to offer assistance to those in need? If so, consider becoming a Volunteer Trail Ambassador. Help keep our trails and park guests safe while enjoying your favorite trails. Trail Ambassadors provide extra eyes and ears in the reservations and contribute to many facets of guest experience and park operations. They provide valuable assistance and information to guests while monitoring trail conditions. Their involvement is key to keeping the 300 miles of Cleveland Metroparks trails safe and fully accessible to guests. Cleveland Metroparks Trail Ambassador Volunteer Program is the proud recipient of the 2017 Trail Promotion and Education Award presented by American Trails.

Prospective Trail Ambassadors will need a minimum of 10 Cleveland Metroparks volunteer hours prior to applying for the Trail Ambassador program. We recommend prospective Trail Ambassadors sign up as early as possible with another volunteer assignment to have enough time to get their 10 required hours. 

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older

• Time Commitment: 40 hours per year + annual training

• Qualifications: Friendly and helpful demeanor. Hike or bike for a minimum of two hours in various weather conditions. Comfortable utilizing technology (cell phone, Internet, email)

• Certifications: First Aid and CPR/AED (training provided)

Responsibilities

• Monitor designated trails throughout all Cleveland Metroparks reservations

• Greet park visitors and provide information when needed

• Become a Basic First Responder to provide medical care and call for emergency support services
• Report any maintenance, law enforcement or other issues to Cleveland Metroparks
• Promote the shared trail concept and act as a role model for all trail users

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

 

 

With the support of Youth Outdoors staff, volunteer assistants help provide hands-on outdoor experiences for youth. We are always grateful for those individuals who are able to commit to helping our young adventurers learn new skills, discover nature and better themselves. Click here to learn more.

Golf volunteers assist in the operation of Cleveland Metroparks eight courses located throughout the Park District while providing great customer service to enhance the golf experience of our guests. This opportunity is typically available spring through fall, as the weather permits.

Golf Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older with a valid driver’s license 
• Time Commitment: (2) 6-hour shifts per week to be eligible for extra volunteer benefits
• Qualifications: Basic knowledge of golf etiquette and willingness to volunteer weekends and holidays with varying volunteer schedules

Responsibilities

Patrolling the course to assist golfers in maintaining a proper pace of play, locating golf balls out of range, offering amenities such as water, pencils, and scorecards, and ensuring golf etiquette, rules and safety policies are being followed by all golfers. Other duties include preparing hand pull carts and power cars for rental.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

 

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Proshop Retail Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Time Commitment: (2) 6-hour shifts per week to be eligible for extra volunteer benefits
• Qualifications: Basic knowledge of golf etiquette and willingness to volunteer weekends and holidays with varying volunteer schedules

Responsibilities

• Greet golfers and answer questions about golf course facilities, services and special events
• Schedule tee reservations and sell greens fees, merchandise, range tokens, rental of power carts and golf equipment
• Assist in straightening merchandise and cleaning
• Assist with inventory and deliveries
• Assist staff during outing events

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Become a Cleveland Metroparks volunteer by attending an Information Session and submitting an online application. Upon completing the Cleveland Metroparks volunteer process, your participation with WVP will count towards your Watershed Steward Certification and Cleveland Metroparks volunteer milestones. Visit The Watershed Volunteer Program page for more information. 

Assist with special programs, welcome visitors with a smile, put that green thumb to use, show off your shopping skills, or become a Citizen Scientist.  These are just a few of the volunteer opportunities awaiting you at our Nature Centers and neighboring reservations. Choose your favorite location and start exploring.  Visit the Nature Center Volunteers page for more information.

Within the Park District, the Natural Resources Division monitors native plant and wildlife populations, identifies, protects and manages endangered species and habitats, improves water quality and promotes fisheries in appropriate bodies of water. You can be a part of our conservation efforts.

Camera Survey Volunteer – Field

2020 Recruitment Closed

Requirements

• Age: 16 and older
• Time Commitment: Flexible schedule
• Qualifications: Must be comfortable and physically able to navigate outdoors (sometimes off trail, steep slopes, crossing streams) and be able to bend over and kneel down; Orienteering, Google Maps, GPS and/or map reading experience helpful, willing to work outside in all temperatures and varying weather conditions, sensitive to private property lines and off-limits areas

Responsibilities

Assists staff with the collection scientific data. Duties include:

• Check cameras and adjust settings (some located in wet and remote areas in rough terrain)
• Collect and replace camera cards and batteries
• Learn to properly use remote cameras and camera card readers

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Camera Survey Volunteer – Administrative

2020 Recruitment Closed

Requirements

• Age: 16 and older
• Time Commitment: Flexible schedule, may work from home
• Qualifications: Must be comfortable using a computer and sitting for extended periods of time, wildlife identification knowledge/experience, attention to detail and good record keeping skills

Responsibilities

• Assists staff with the identification of scientific data by reviewing millions of images.
• Download camera cards, review data and identify and record wildlife
• Learn to properly use computer programs

BECOME A VOLUNTEER
 

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Restoration Volunteer

Requirements

• Age: 16 and older
• Time Commitment: Seasonal, 2 -- 8 hours per day when active
• Qualifications: Willing and able to identify plants, animals, and insects, background or experience in biology helpful, ability to work independently while handling moderately strenuous activity, willing and able to use GPS units, tablets, computers and related software.

Responsibilities

• Participate in restoration efforts for forests, meadows, prairies, streams and wetlands to maintain healthy ecosystems
• Gather field data (survey plants, animals, insects, water, habitat), record results and enter information into spreadsheets
• Collect seeds and/or cuttings, plant seeds, seedlings, saplings, and cuttings and stratify seeds for winter storage
• Prune and remove plants
• Assist with greenhouse or hoop house management

Watershed Stewardship Volunteer Program

Outdoor Recreation volunteers assist in fostering the growth of an outdoor recreation culture in Northeast Ohio through programs such as: backpacking, camping, cross-country skiing, cycling, rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, races/events, snowshoeing, yoga, etc.

Program Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 18 and older
• Time Commitment: Available on weekday evenings and weekends; primarily during summer months
• Qualifications: Enjoy working with people of all ages and abilities, possess public speaking ability, First Aid/CPR certifications preferred, but not required. For paddling and rock climbing programs, must be able to lift 45 pounds.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

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Power Boat Safety Assistant

Requirements

• Age: 21 and older
• Time Commitment: Available on weekday evenings and weekends; primarily during summer months
• Certifications: First Aid/CPR (training provided); Ohio Boating Education Course or equivalent; Essentials of Close Quarter Boat Control Course or equivalent
• Qualifications: Power boating experience, safely operate power boat and be willing to transport a paddler to safety in case of an emergency, demonstrate proper use of a VHF marine radio and AIS radar.

Responsibilities

Offer aid to the program instructor by providing informational and safety support during paddling excursions on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.

• Assist instructor with monitoring boat traffic during guided tours using an AIS system
• Serve as additional safety assistance and communicate safety needs to tour leaders throughout the program
• Communicate clearly and concisely via marine radio with boat captains, US Coast Guard, tour leaders and other vessel operators as needed

BECOME A VOLUNTEER