CALM is always in need of volunteers in areas of individual interest and facility needs. CALM volunteers perform daily routine chores, which enable staff to complete more complex tasks or projects. CALM volunteers may assist animal keepers, assist the maintenance staff or educate the visiting public. Group volunteer events are also available.
For your safety, ALL volunteers must wear long pants (jeans are best) and closed-in shoes. No shorts, capris, ¾ length pants, workout/yoga pants/spandex, flip-flops or sandals will be allowed. All volunteers ages 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
(must be 16 years or older to participate)
October 10 – 5:30pm – 6:30pm Animal Care Orientation
October 12 – 9:30am – 10:30am Animal Care Orientation
October 13 – 10:00am – 11:30am Guest Services Experience for the California Coast Room
All classes will be held at CALM and class fees are due before the classes begin. Please click the tabs below for more information.
Click the ‘Volunteer Portal’ button below to find available volunteer opportunities. Click the ‘How to Register’ button for help volunteering.
Please note that individuals who have not completed the orientation class for Animal Care Volunteer and Commissary Volunteer will not be able to sign up for those opportunities. These classes are offered twice a year so if you miss the class, there will be more opportunities in the future.
How to Register – Step By Step
Elizabeth Graff
661-546-8950 or elgraff@kern.org
Animal Care Volunteers:
This position is for you if:
Volunteers perform duties as required for the care and maintenance of Zoo animals and exhibits. Activities include scrubbing and hosing enclosures, removing trash, feeding diets, and assisting keepers with various projects. Make connections with local zookeepers and learn the ins and outs of the zoo industry and proper animal care practices. It is important to note that this volunteer opportunity is about working to ensure that CALM’s animal needs are met and is heavily based on feeding animals, cleaning their enclosures, and aiding in enrichment creation. Animal Care Volunteers are not guaranteed to work directly with zoo animals and must adhere to all safety standards when working alongside wildlife.
Commissary Volunteer:
This position is for you if:
Volunteers perform duties as required for the preparation of animal diets zoo wide. Activities include following specific recipes for an array of animal species. Creation of diets will include cutting, chopping, blending, etc. of meat, fish fruits, vegetables, and a variety of enrichment items. Volunteers will be required to handle all aspects of the commissary including cleaning, doing dishes, stocking donations, and organizing a variety of foods.
Guest Experience Volunteer:
This position is for you if:
Grounds Volunteer:
This position is for you if:
Volunteers perform duties as required for grounds projects. These duties can include raking, mowing, planting, painting etc. and involve working directly with our grounds team to help beautify CALM. The daily tasks change based on the needs of the zoo.
Special Events Volunteering:
This position is for you if:
Volunteers perform duties related to the specific event. Special event volunteers are critical to helping our fundraisers flow smoothly! In this position you may be asked to aid in setting up/breaking down an event, aid in traffic flow or work directly with the public.
Veterinarian Volunteer:
This position is for you if: