Junior Zoo Keeper Information

The Junior Zoo Keeper (JZK) program is committed to providing a meaningful and educational experience for high school students, 9th – 12th grades, who are seeking the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through hard work and promoting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s mission of conservation, education and recreation. JZK members work hand-in-hand with Zoo staff, in various areas around the Zoo. They will be helping with the jobs that are a daily part of a zoo keeper’s career, working directly with the Animal Keepers of those areas.

To Apply

Applications are now closed. Please check back in early 2026 for next summer.

Please Read and Agree

I understand that by purchasing a CMZoo membership, advance ticket reservations are required to visit the Zoo for Individual, Family, Grandparent and Family Plus members, and my preferred ticket date or time may not always be available. I also understand that memberships are non-refundable after purchase.

If free member tickets for my chosen day/time are not available, and I choose to purchase non-member tickets, they will not be refundable/reimbursable and cannot be applied to my membership renewal.

I also understand that the Zoo cannot accommodate an earlier entry time than my ticket start time. (For example, a 10:30-11 a.m. ticket cannot be scanned in earlier than 10:30 a.m.)

Please be courteous to your fellow members by not over-reserving tickets and returning tickets you can’t use. To release your tickets, email [email protected] prior to your ticketed date.

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

We believe we can create a feeling of family by treating each employee, guest, member and donor with the respect they deserve. Treating each other like we would want to be treated is just the right thing to do. There is no room at the Zoo for profanity, harassment or threatening behavior.

Our animals are family and we love and respect them not only for their beauty, but for all the joy they bring so many guests every year. We believe our animals deserve the best homes and care we can provide. Please join us in treating our animals like you would treat your own family members. Crossing barriers is dangerous, as they are in place to keep both you and our animals safe. Like your friends and family, our animals do not like to be harassed in any way.

We believe we should never take our site’s beauty for granted. Our mountain is something we hope you will enjoy and actively admire. Join us in preserving our amazing site by feeling at home while you are here and leaving our grounds “without a trace.”

Our staff strives to make the world a better place every day. We will always work hard to make your experience the best it can be as well as assist you when things might not go as planned. When having difficult discussions, mutual respect is always expected and appreciated.

“If you are unable to comply with this Code of Conduct, we reserve the right to revoke your membership and/or ask you to leave the Zoo. Thank you for understanding.

I agree to the information above.

Continue

This is a robust position that requires:

– Hard work, dedication, attention to detail and self motivation.
– Helping to clean exhibits and preparing animal food diets.
– Creating enrichment for the animals.
– Assisting with keeper talks as needed.

JZK Animal Area Work Opportunities

JZK's may apply to the following animal areas for the opportunity to work with that area's keepers and animals.

The Role and Work Flow of a Junior Zoo Keeper

The Junior Zoo Keeper (JZK) program is committed to providing a meaningful and educational experience for 9th – 12th grade students who are seeking the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through hard work and promoting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s mission of conservation, education and recreation.

JZK members work in various animal areas around the Zoo, and work directly with the Animal Keepers of those areas. In this program, education staff, animal department staff, veterinary staff and horticulture staff work closely to provide a meaningful experience for the teens involved. The JZK program is a multi-level program designed to provide an increasing challenge to teens each year they return to the program.

Junior Zoo Keeper duties will include:

Helping with animal care, basic husbandry, cleaning animal enclosures;
Talking to the public about conservation efforts
Joining the Teen Program for outdoor EdVentures!

Junior Zoo Keeper’s Work Flow

– Each JZK member will log their hours throughout the summer beginning the first day of the program through their last day.
– At the end of the summer those hours will be totaled and you will receive an official signed certificate verifying your completed hours.
– Each month you will receive an updated total number of hours.
– We recommend teens try to accomplish 120 hours throughout the summer to maximize their experiences with the program.

Expectations of a Junior Zoo Keeper

You are now an official representative of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!This means you should be positive AND professional at all times when you are at the Zoo.
Always show respect – for animals (Zoo and wildlife), our environment, guests, peers, staff, volunteers, docents, etc. Show respect for the material property of others.
Be willing to help with whatever is asked of you; try to get to a project before you have to be asked. You can always choose the attitude you have about what you do even if you can’t choose exactly what you’re doing, help will always be given at the Zoo to those who ask for it.
Be patient– not everything is fun all of the time, and there are a lot of teenagers that participate in the program. Please be patient with your peers, staff, supervisors, teen leaders, keepers, etc. Everyone wants to help, but it may take time.
Be discrete regarding information you learn while working at the Zoo. If you aren’t sure what information you can share in regards to the Zoo family, please check with the Teen Program Supervisor.
Be dependable and communicative, stick to your schedule and let the Teen Program Supervisor know if you cannot make it to your shift (calling information below)
Sometimes things change, be flexible – your schedule could change throughout the day, just know that we need your help and want to make each day as fun as possible.
Engage with Zoo guests in conversations and try to answer their questions. –If you don’t know an answer to a question, say “I don’t know, but I’ll try and find out.” Than do your best to find someone who knows the answer. By the end of the summer you will have learned so much!
appropriate language and behavior, there are ears everywhere- so be mindful of how you are conducting yourself.
Working at a Zoo is hard, so be prepared to work in a variety of areas and in different weather conditions. Bring your water bottle, keep it full and remember to wear Sunscreen. Whenever you need a break from physical work just let a supervisor know!
Work cooperatively with other teen in the program, all Zoo Staff, guests, volunteers, and docents. We all work together as a team, so let’s help each other out!
steward by helping keep the grounds clean- picking up trash whenever possible, opening doors for guests, and helping guide guests who need directions. – It’s everyone’s responsibility and that includes you!

Have fun! This summer will be lots of hard work and long days, but it will be lots of fun too!

Tuition Pricing

All fees for all sessions includes one t-shirt, name tag and reusable beverage cup, as well as daily supervision, program supplies and materials, keeper talks and tours, special afternoon workshops, orientation, end of season party and more!

Application fee: a $25 non-refundable fee for each applicant/application is required to begin the application process.

SUMMER TEEN PROGRAM FEES*

Zoo Crew price per teen (Middle School, 6th – 8th grades):
$700.75 for our 3-month summer session

Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Leader price per teen (High School, 9th – 12th grades):
$600.75 for our 3-month summer session

OFF-SEASON TEEN PROGRAM FEES*

All Teens (Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keepers &/or Teen Core) price per teen:
$400.75 per session; Fall, Winter or Spring.

– *These program fees do not include EdVenture trip fees.
– Full payment of the program session is due 48 hours prior to the first day of the session.
– Note: 75¢ from each Teen Program Registration goes to Quarters for Conservation, which expands Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s regional and global conservation efforts.

Summer Scholarship Information

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a scholarship fund for its Summer Teen Program and is committed to working with families to make sure price is not a limiting factor in their child’s experience.

Due to limited funding, only partial scholarships will be awarded.
Scholarships apply to the Zoo’s Summer Teen Program.
Criteria for selecting children for the program is based upon a first come, first served and need basis.
Applications for Summer Teen Program Scholarships must be submitted using this form between February 1 – February 22, with decisions be made no later than May 1. Go here to complete the Summer Teen Program Scholarship Form