Adult Volunteer

Volunteer at Brights Zoo

Brights Zoo offers an Adult Volunteer Program with the purpose of augmenting the experience of visitors to the zoo. Volunteers can help through a variety of roles like assisting zoo staff with caring for animals, educating visitors about animal conservation, helping out with special events, and aiding with daily operations. For college students that need community service hours for graduation, we participate in the program and provide opportunities to earn accredited hours towards completion of service hour requirements. 

Get Started
1. View the list of available Volunteer positions and choose one that interests you and matches your skills.
2. Review the FAQs below.
3. Complete the Adult Volunteer Application Form and return to Brights Zoo.
4. Attend a scheduled interview at the Zoo.
5. If selected as a Volunteer, attend an orientation to complete all paperwork and receive materials and uniform.

Volunteer Opportunities

Below is a list of volunteer opportunities at Brights Zoo.

Animal Care

    Animal Care volunteers provide daily care for our animal residents and may perform tasks like:

• Preparing animal diets
• Cleaning animal enclosures
• Providing behavioral enrichment 

Visitor Services

    Visitor Services volunteers assist visitors at Brights Zoo and typical tasks are:

• Providing directions and maps, and answering questions
• Assisting visitors with special needs
• Working in the Gift Shop

Conservation Education

    Conservation Education volunteers teach visitors about animals, habitats, and conservation and might be responsible for:

• Conducting scheduled tours of the Zoo
• Assisting in animal demonstrations and classes
• Providing animal encounters for the Zoo 

What are the requirements for becoming a volunteer?

You must be 18 years of age or older and be able to commit to being a volunteer for at least six months. A valid driver’s license is required.

Who can I contact for more information about volunteering?

Call Melinda at 423-257-1927 during regular business hours or use the contact form.

How do I become a volunteer?

Complete an Adult Volunteer Department Participation application and return to Brights Zoo. The application will be reviewed and you will be contacted if a position is available matching your time availability and skills.

How many hours do I have to commit to in order to volunteer?

Volunteers must be willing to volunteer for a minimum of one four-hour day per week for at least six months. Special Events Volunteers and Group Volunteers may be exempt from a weekly schedule, but must still commit for a minimum of six months.

Can volunteering at the Zoo lead to a paid position?

It is possible, but there are absolutely no guarantees that any volunteers will be offered a paid position. When a position becomes open, volunteers will be given the same consideration as other applicants.

What days and times do I need to be available to volunteer?

Each position is different and has different time and day requirements. Most positions require morning or mid-day shifts.

Applicant Name *

I have read all requirements of the position *Animal CareVisitor ServicesConservation EducationInternship

Todays Date *

Email *

Confirm Email *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of six months? (Internships for 1 semester)YesNo

The minimum age for volunteering for the Brights Zoo Adult Volunteer Program is 18.

Employment Status *Part TimeRetiredFull TimeStudentOther

If other, please specify

Place of employment

Job Title

Education *

Highest level of education attained

Currently a Student *YesNo

If Yes School Name

What was/is your major area of study?

What languages do you speak *

Shirt Size *SMLXL2XL

What are your primary volunteer interests? *

Have you volunteered at a zoo previously? *YesNo

If so, in what capacity?

Are you seeking to fill education requirements? (Is this for a internship) *YesNo

What program requires you to earn service hours?

Special certifications or experience? *

Days prefer to volunteer or do internship? (Check all that apply)

• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Sunday

How many hours per week are you available? *

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? *YesNo

Name *

First

Last

Emergency Contact Information

Relationship *

Phone *

Name *

First

Last

Emergency Contact Name 2

Relationship *

Phone *

Allergies (food, drugs, insects, etc) *

Brief Medical History

Any know medical conditions? *

Medications and reason for taking *

Any special needs/requirements? *

If this is for an inernship, please attach a letter of recommendation from a professor.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Signature *

Clear Signature

VOLUNTEER WAIVER AGREEMENT This Waiver Agreement, made and entered by and between Brights Zoo, 3425 HWY – 11E, Limstone, TN 37681, herein referred to as ‘Brights Zoo’, AND yourself The parties to this Agreement do hereby mutually recognize that Brights Zoo does not provide Workman’s Compensation or any other type of liability insurance to persons who are not paid employees of Brights Zoo. Accordingly, persons such as Volunteers are not covered by Brights Zoo for such forms of insurance. As a volunteer in an Animal Care service area, you may at some point need to ride in a John Deere Gator (similar to a golf cart). You must comply with the following rules at all times when in a moving vehicle: 1. Absolutely no horseplay. 2. Arms and legs must be kept inside the vehicle at all times. 3. As a passenger, you must sit in the bucket seat at all times – never in the back of the vehicle. 4. Only paid zoo staff members may operate the vehicle. Through this permission form, I agree that I will abide by the rules listed above. I understand that any divergence from the above rules will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Through this waiver agreement, the Volunteer does hereby knowingly release and hold harmless Brights Zoo from any injury, accident, or damage sustained by the Volunteer while serving in such a capacity. I authorize Brights Zoo to use my name and photograph for education, public relations and marketing purposes related to Brights Zoo. BACKGROUND CHECK AUTHORIZATION I authorize Brights Zoo to obtain criminal history about me from my previous employers, schools, and governmental authorities. I authorize my previous employers, schools that I have attended, and governmental authorities to disclose to Brights Zoo such information about me as Brights Zoo may request. Applicant Signature (full name):

Submit