Panda Ambassador Volunteers

Giant Fun - Giant Heart - Giant Experience

Be a Giant Panda Ambassador Volunteer at Toronto Zoo

Be part of our team of active and outgoing Giant Panda Ambassador Volunteers.

Interpretive/Educational Volunteers

• Interact with and inspire visitors with fun, educational activities at the giant panda exhibit and interpretive centre.
• Provide information and directional assistance for visitors at wayfinding stations on the Zoo site.
• 6-month renewable commitment (May 1 to October 31 and/or November 1 to April 30).
• These Volunteers must accumulate at least 50 hours of Volunteer work in a 6-month period to remain active in the program.
• Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available. Each shift is usually 3 hours long. Weekday and weekend shifts are available. We usually ask Volunteers to commit to at least one shift in a two-week period; however, Volunteers can certainly assist more frequently. Volunteers select their own preferred day on which to complete their duties.

Special Event Volunteers

• Support Zoo events both on and off site by providing information and directions to event attendees, operating interactive educational activities, and other event-specific duties.
• 6-month renewable commitment (May 1 to October 31 and/or November 1 to April 30).
• These Volunteers must assist at a minimum of three special events in a 6-month period to remain active in the program. Volunteers select the events at which they are able to assist, based on their availability.

Qualities of a Successful Giant Panda Ambassador Volunteer

• Enthusiastic and friendly.
• Organized with the ability to follow direction well.
• Appreciation for wildlife and nature and the desire to learn more.
• Reliable.
• Good verbal communication skills in English.

Are you interested in being even more involved? Check out our Year-Round Volunteer and Summer Information Volunteer opportunities. Volunteers in these programs will also be part of the exclusive team of people engaging visitors at the giant panda exhibit and interpretive centre.

Requirements & Perks:

• This opportunity is for ages 16 and up and begins April 2013.
• Foreign language skills are an asset, but not mandatory.
• Volunteers have no contact with our plants or animals.
• Interpretive/Educational Volunteers receive free Zoo admission and parking, free Zoomobile rides, and a discount in the Zoo shop during the 6-month period. Special Event Volunteers receive an invitation for themselves and a guest to our exclusive Giant Panda Ambassador Special Event Volunteer Day at the Zoo appreciation event, as well as, free parking and admission at each event they are scheduled for.
• Successful applicants for this and all Zoo Volunteer opportunities are required to obtain a satisfactory Police Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector search at their own expense before carrying out any Volunteer duties.

Please Apply By:

Fall 2013 Intake: Friday, September 20, 2013.

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview after this date.

To download a copy of the Giant Panda Ambassador Volunteer application form (2013) please click here.

Year-Round Volunteer Guides Join our diverse team of dynamic and outgoing adults educating and inspiring visitors, taking the lead at special events, and promoting wildlife conservation.	Summer Information Volunteers Inspire visitors' curiosity at seasonal interpretive stations throughout the Zoo, provide information to guests, and assist at special events.
Zoo Ambassador Student Volunteers Secondary and post-secondary students are invited to enhance visitors' experiences at special events throughout the year and at our Zoo Kids camp during the summer months.