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Volunteer Butterfly Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Sunrise

SAVE ENERGY Conserve energy by switching your old light bulbs to LED bulbs, and starting EnergyWise ... Practice Stewardship Be a butterfly hero. Did you know Sunrise is a certified Community Wildlife ...

LTD Global

Invertebrate Biologist

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

... volunteers * Train on husbandry and monitoring of the reptile and amphibian imperiled species ... in conservation biology, ecology, or a related field * Experience with butterfly husbandry ...

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Volunteer Butterfly Conservation information

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$8

$19

$33

How much do volunteer butterfly conservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer butterfly conservation in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What challenges do volunteer butterfly conservationists face and how can they be addressed?

Volunteers in butterfly conservation often encounter challenges such as identifying different butterfly species in the field, dealing with changing weather conditions, and navigating remote conservation sites. To address these, most programs provide training sessions, field guides, and ongoing support from experienced team members. Communication and collaboration within the team are also key, as volunteers frequently work alongside scientists, local communities, and other volunteers to gather data and implement habitat restoration. Flexibility, a willingness to learn, and strong teamwork skills are essential for overcoming these challenges and making a positive impact.

What is a volunteer butterfly conservation?

Volunteer butterfly conservationists are individuals who contribute their time and effort to help protect and preserve butterfly populations and their habitats. They may participate in activities such as habitat restoration, butterfly monitoring and surveying, educational outreach, and data collection for scientific research. These volunteers often work with conservation organizations or local communities to help ensure the survival of butterfly species, many of which are threatened by habitat loss and environmental changes. Their work is vital for maintaining biodiversity and promoting environmental awareness.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a volunteer butterfly conservation?

To thrive as a Volunteer in Butterfly Conservation, you need a basic understanding of butterfly species, ecological principles, and conservation methods, often gained through training or relevant coursework. Familiarity with data collection tools, GPS devices, and digital record-keeping systems is typically used for monitoring and reporting purposes. Strong observation skills, enthusiasm for environmental stewardship, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for accurately gathering data, raising awareness, and supporting conservation efforts that protect butterfly populations and their habitats.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Butterfly Conservation jobs? The most popular types of Butterfly Conservation jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Volunteer Butterfly Conservation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Volunteer Butterfly Conservation jobs are:
Volunteer Butterfly Conservation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Butterfly Conservation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Butterfly Exhibit Specialist/Lepidopterist (Temporary)

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Dallas Zoo rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

JOB SUMMARY
This is an entry-level position responsible for advancing the Dallas Zoo's mission by facilitating experiential learning opportunities in a temporary butterfly habitat. Lepidopterists will actively engage guests and program participants through educational programming that inspires and empowers audiences to Create a Better World for Animals. Lepidopterists must be comfortable handling butterflies throughout their entire life cycle and interpreting topics relevant to the Zoo and wildlife conservation, as they relate to butterflies, to a wide variety of audiences on the Dallas Zoo campus.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide overall daily care of butterflies and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
* Observe and monitor butterflies' general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to supervisor and/or veterinary staff.
* Prepare and provide food for butterflies, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
* Clean animal exhibits, butterfly food stations and equipment, maintaining a high level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
* Provide care for butterflies throughout their life cycle, including chrysalis handling, butterfly releasing, and clean-up of expired butterflies.
* Maintain accurate butterfly records.
* Proactively engage audiences through mission-driven experiences that inspire and empower audiences to take part in conservation actions on behalf of wildlife:
* Reinforce and encourage interest in wildlife through age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, positive engagement with guests via programming;
* Actively inspire and empower audiences to develop an interest in and empathy for wildlife through positive and engaging interactions via experiential education programming focused on Dallas Zoo conservation priorities;
* Deliver education programs to groups of all sizes and ages;
* Keep current on conservation issues, interpretive techniques, and conservation psychology/community-based social marketing best practices;
* Maintain positive, professional relationships with Dallas Zoo staff, guests, and volunteers;
* Assist as new hire trainer for volunteers and interns as assigned; Act as a trainer for new hire Conservation Interpreters as assigned;
* Assist in the organization and maintenance of educational materials as needed.
* Collaborate with other Zoo personnel as needed to meet the Dallas Zoo's mission. This can include, but is not limited to, assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects;
* Participate in and support Zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups; Understand and support Dallas Zoo's Strategic and Master Plans and departmental goals;
* Follow all safety protocols and understand the position's role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required;
* Assist with the beautification of our park by removing litter and debris whenever you see it;
* Assist with and raise awareness for AZA SAFE programs and Dallas Zoo conservation efforts;
* Assist with other miscellaneous projects assigned by Dallas Zoo's Education leadership team;
* Must be willing to support the Dallas Zoo's Mission and Vision statement.
* Dallas Zoo is open to the public 364 days out of the year, therefore, all positions at the Dallas Zoo may require employees to work weekends, holidays, and evenings.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Two years of relevant experience in interpretation or a related field.
Excellent presentation and public engagement skills required;
Strong knowledge of best practices in interpretation required; National Association for Interpretation (NAI) certification preferred;
Bilingual speaking and writing skills preferred;
Excellent natural history and wildlife conservation knowledge with attention to scientific accuracy;
Must maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing interpretive programs on a regular basis;
Must be comfortable working with and handling live and expired butterflies;
Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative solutions to complex challenges;
Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and documenting information appropriately;
Ability to represent the Dallas Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs.;
Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot, cold, or inclement weather;
Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test;
Must have a valid driver's license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
Employment Type: Full-Time (Temporary)

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