Volunteer at CALM Zoo

Make a Difference for Wildlife

Support animal care, conservation, education, and guest experiences by volunteering at CALM Zoo.

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Opportunities by Event

Help create memorable guest experiences by volunteering at one of CALM Zoo’s upcoming seasonal events.

Ice Cream Zoofari volunteers needed Saturday, August 15 Volunteers Needed

Saturday, August 15

Ice Cream Zoofari

Help with one of the sweetest events of the summer by scooping ice cream, serving treats, and welcoming guests.

Volunteer Shift 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Sign Up to Volunteer
Event details coming soon

October 14–18

Boo at the Zoo

Volunteer opportunities will be available for morning and afternoon event shifts. Additional event details will be added as they become available.

Available Shifts 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 12:00–4:00 p.m.
View Volunteer Portal
Event details coming soon

November 28, 2026–January 2, 2027

HolidayLights

Help CALM Zoo welcome guests during its signature holiday experience. Specific volunteer assignments and event details will be announced soon.

Evening Shifts Approximately 4:30–9:00 or 10:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day
View Volunteer Portal

Volunteer Opportunities

Help support the daily care and operation of CALM Zoo

CALM is always in need of volunteers in areas of individual interest and facility needs. Volunteers support daily routine chores that allow staff to focus on more complex tasks, animal care, guest education, and facility projects.

Volunteers may assist animal keepers, support maintenance staff, help educate the visiting public, or participate in group volunteer events.

Ways Volunteers Help

  • Animal Care
  • Education
  • Guest Services
  • Events
  • Grounds

Important

Volunteer Safety Requirements

For your safety, all volunteers must follow CALM’s required dress code and age guidelines.

Long pants required Jeans are recommended.
Closed-toe shoes required No flip-flops or sandals.
No shorts or athletic wear No shorts, capris, yoga pants, spandex, or ¾ length pants.
Ages 13–15 need an adult Volunteers ages 13–15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteer Portal

How to sign up

CALM uses VolunteerMark to organize volunteer opportunities. All volunteers can sign up through the CALM VolunteerMark portal.

Sign-up steps

  1. Go to VolunteerMark and select “Find your organization.”
  2. Search for CALM in Bakersfield.
  3. Select California Living Museum CALM.
  4. Choose the opportunity you are interested in.
  5. Select “Sign Up Now.”
  6. Log in or register a new free VolunteerMark account.
  7. Follow the prompts and select your shift.

Ready to volunteer?

Use the Volunteer Portal to view available opportunities, or download the step-by-step registration guide if you need help signing up.

Volunteer Portal
Please note: 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.

Volunteer Class Schedule

Upcoming orientation opportunities

Some volunteer roles require orientation before volunteers can sign up for shifts.

Animal Care Orientation

  • September 24 at 5:30 - 6:30
  • September 26 at 9:30 - 10:30

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer

Guest Experience Orientation

  • TBD

Veterinary Volunteer Orientation

Dates are currently TBD. Volunteers must attend Animal Care Orientation before attending Veterinary Volunteer Orientation.

Volunteer Roles

Find the right opportunity for you

CALM offers volunteer opportunities for animal care, guest support, events, grounds work, commissary support, and veterinary assistance.

🐾

Animal Care Volunteers

Age 16+ · Orientation required

Animal Care Volunteers support the care and maintenance of zoo animals and exhibits. Duties may include scrubbing and hosing enclosures, removing trash, feeding diets, and assisting keepers with projects.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You have attended Animal Care Orientation
  • You want experience in the animal care field
  • You enjoy being outdoors and are willing to get dirty
  • You understand the role involves significant cleaning
  • You are comfortable handling animal diets
🥕

Commissary Volunteer

Age 16+ · Requires the animal care orientation

Commissary Volunteers prepare animal diets zoo-wide. Work may include cutting, chopping, blending, organizing, cleaning, washing dishes, and preparing food-based enrichment.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You enjoy preparing diets and food enrichment
  • You are organized and can follow strict directions
  • You are comfortable handling meat, fish, mice, chicks, and other diet items
  • You can work independently
  • You are comfortable using food prep tools
💬

Guest Experience Volunteer

Age 16+ · Orientation required

Guest Experience Volunteers help educate visitors, answer questions, support programs, and create positive experiences for guests throughout CALM Zoo.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You enjoy working with the public
  • You are passionate about California wildlife
  • You bring positivity and friendliness to programs
  • You are comfortable working with education tools
  • You are interested in ambassador animal work
🌿

Grounds Volunteer

Age 13+ · Adult supervision required under 16

Grounds Volunteers help beautify CALM through outdoor projects such as raking, mowing, planting, painting, weeding, and other daily facility needs.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You enjoy working outdoors
  • You like hands-on projects
  • You can work with a variety of tools
  • You need volunteer hours without a long-term commitment
  • You are part of a group seeking a project
🎟

Special Events Volunteering

Age 16+ · Event-based opportunities

Special Event Volunteers help CALM fundraisers and events run smoothly. Duties may include event setup, breakdown, traffic flow, guest assistance, and public-facing support.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You enjoy helping with events
  • You are a team player
  • You enjoy working with the public
  • You have a positive can-do attitude
🩺

Veterinary Volunteer

Age 16+ · Animal Care + Vet Orientation required

Veterinary Volunteers support CALM’s veterinary team and hospital operations. This role may involve cleaning veterinary spaces, supporting organization, and helping with care-related tasks.

This role may be right for you if:

  • You have completed Animal Care Orientation
  • You have completed Veterinary Volunteer Orientation
  • You are interested in veterinary care
  • You are organized and work well independently
  • You are willing to clean and support the vet hospital

Group Volunteers

Interested in a group volunteer project?

Group volunteer projects may be available upon request and can include grounds, beautification, event support, and other facility needs.

Email Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Contact

Questions about volunteering?

Contact CALM’s volunteer coordinator for questions about opportunities, orientation, or group projects.

Elizabeth Graff 661-546-8950 elgraff@kern.org