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Zoo Volunteer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Kubernetes Administrator

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $141K/yr

... Data Server, Kafka/Zookeeper data planes) utilizing the Appian Operator on Kubernetes ... Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance * Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible ...

Kubernetes Administrator

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $141K/yr

... Data Server, Kafka/Zookeeper data planes) utilizing the Appian Operator on Kubernetes ... Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance * Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible ...

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Zoo Volunteer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$8

$19

$35

How much do zoo volunteer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoo volunteer in Reston, VA is $19.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $21.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a zoo volunteer?

A Zoo Volunteer assists with various tasks to support the zoo’s operations, animal care, and guest experience. Duties may include educating visitors, preparing animal diets, cleaning enclosures, or helping with special events. Volunteers do not handle dangerous animals but play a crucial role in conservation and public engagement. This position is usually unpaid and requires training and commitment.

What does a zoo volunteer do?

As a Zoo Volunteer, your responsibilities may include assisting with educational programs, providing information to guests, helping with animal enrichment activities, and supporting staff with daily operational tasks such as preparing animal diets or maintaining exhibits. While direct animal handling is typically limited to trained staff, volunteers play a crucial role in guest engagement and supporting behind-the-scenes work. Shifts and responsibilities can vary depending on the zoo, but most positions require a commitment to teamwork, safety, and following established protocols. Volunteering at a zoo is a great way to gain experience in animal care and education, and can sometimes lead to further opportunities within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a zoo volunteer?

Success as a Zoo Volunteer typically requires a passion for animal welfare, a willingness to learn, and a basic understanding of animal care or environmental education. Volunteers may use radio communication devices and follow strict safety protocols, and some zoos offer training or require completion of basic orientation sessions. Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, and the ability to engage with the public help volunteers excel in educational and support tasks. These competencies are vital for promoting guest engagement, ensuring animal safety, and supporting zoo operations effectively.

What are the most commonly searched types of Zoo jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Zoo jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Zoo Volunteer jobs in Reston, VA?

For Zoo Volunteer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Zoo Volunteer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Zoo Volunteer job openings:

Infographic showing various Zoo Volunteer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,411 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Management Support Specialist

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$57K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday


Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums


Job description

Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Management Support Specialist (Personnel) will Assists with the performance of a wide variety of administrative tasks associated with personnel management at NMNH. Such work includes a variety of administrative functions necessary to the smooth management of an office and ranges from correspondence and information control to tracking equipment, supplies, and services.
In this position, you will:
  • Serve as one of the organization's liaisons with the Office of Human Resources in carrying out personnel management activities of the unit.
  • Participate in answering questions concerning policies and procedures related to support/office services, requests, and shifts in priorities.
  • Perform recurring assignments using SI's automated human resources systems for tracking and reporting on personnel and payroll information.
  • Advise supervisors and museum staff on the proper format and requirements for personnel documents and on other areas of personnel and office administration, with assistance from the supervisor.
  • Prepare and monitor personnel-related reports and correspondence for the office.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • May need to complete a Probationary Period
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as 1) performing basic analysis to provide advice and assistance to staff on routine administrative and personnel matters, 2) entering and tracking personnel actions using a human resources software system, 3) assisting with preparing routine documents, presentations, and reports.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Or Education: One full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement in a field related to this position may be substituted to meet the experience requirement.Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (301) and who are in a (Federal competitive or excepted service appointment) as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who
is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
Additional information
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

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