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Ongoing updates and improvements

Volunteer

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We do not have any volunteer opportunities available. Please do check back regularly as we’ll keep this page updated!

Our volunteer roles are for those people who are able to support the zoo every week on a regular duty day; supporting our charitable organisation and staff in helping our visitors enjoy their day and providing excellent customer service whilst, amongst many other things, learning new skills, meeting new people and passing on their knowledge and experience.

Volunteering with us

As a charity, volunteers provide vital support to the life of Paignton Zoo. They do not take the place of paid staff but contribute to our success by supporting our education, scientific and conservation mission whilst enhancing the guest experience and assisting us to raise awareness of, and funds for, animal and habitat conservation projects locally and all over the world. 

Every year our volunteers provide thousands of hours between them to support the work of Paignton Zoo. We have over 130 volunteers who support us on a regular day every week; without our volunteers we would not be able to offer the activities, events and all-round excellent guest experience that we do. 

As such, we are looking for people who can lend a hand regularly. Our volunteer roles would suit outgoing individuals who enjoy interacting with the public, being outdoors and who have an interest in the natural world. As our volunteers are a huge support to, and part of the Paignton Zoo team we value reliability and good communication skills. 


What’s in it for you? 

  • Help an education, scientific and conservation charity 
  • Give something back to your local community 
  • Gain valuable knowledge, experience and confidence 
  • Improve your CV 
  • Stay active 
  • Meet and socialise with new and like-minded people 
  • Get access to Paignton Zoo and regular volunteer newsletters 
  • Receive full training for your volunteer role 
  • Receive uniform and name badge  


Scarlet ibis at Paignton Zoo

Work experience, placements and short-term volunteering

We are currently unable to support work experience in the majority of departments due to our health and safety policies. Please visit our work experience webpage for more details.

Volunteering is not the same as work experience and we cannot support you with work experience through your volunteering with us. Due to the time and costs involved, we are unable to support short-term volunteering.