Naturalist- Internship

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Anchorage, AK

13d

About The Position

The Naturalist Intern assists the year-round education team with interpretation, educational programming, and tours at AWCC and off site. The internship is intended for college students, recent graduates, or career-changing individuals interested in this field, regardless of their degree path. Interns gain experience and skills related to the position’s duties and cross-train in animal care duties and procedures.

Workdays and hours are assigned by the Director of Education and Naturalist Supervisor and vary by week. The schedule is 40 hours over five days per week, with a maximum of eight hours per day. Positions are available from May through September or October. The role involves public-facing education and interpretation, sanctuary upkeep and safety, assistance with animal care, and a possible opportunity to assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program as a Cook Inlet beluga whale observer.

Requirements

• Be able to speak publicly to large and small audiences while professionally representing AWCC.
• Engage respectfully in a team environment and help achieve AWCC’s goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate a professional, positive, and respectful attitude and a strong work ethic.
• Be comfortable working around animals in human care.
• Participate actively in group and team-building activities.
• Be able to work outdoors in drastically changing weather, including extreme wind, temperatures, pouring rain, and winter conditions.
• Be able to work long hours on one’s feet and walk long distances over uneven terrain while giving interpretive talks and information.
• Be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds.
• Be able to work directly with the public and diverse audiences, providing information and assistance positively.
• Be willing to learn about topics of interest to visitors, including local history, geography, and geology.
• Be able to work a highly variable schedule as needed, including all weekends, early mornings, and nights.
• Have strong time- and task-management skills.
• Have a current driver’s license.
• Pass a background check.
• Be eligible to work in the United States.
• Have received, or be willing to receive by the date of hire, a tetanus vaccination; proof of vaccination is required.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred internship length is 19–21 weeks, with an end date from mid-to-late September through early October.
• Preferred start date is by May 11.
• Some college coursework in a related field, such as education, interpretation, wildlife biology, environmental studies, natural resources, zoological sciences, ecology, or animal science.
• An application that explains how the internship would support the applicant’s career development.
• An application that demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programs.
• Experience with Alaska’s wildlife and environment.
• Interest in earning university credit through the University of Alaska system or another participating university.
• Rabies vaccination; depending on the animals in care during the internship, this may lead to more animal-care opportunities.
• Fluency in multiple languages.
• Familiarity with the Dena’ina language.
• First Aid and CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Give daily talks about AWCC and Alaskan wildlife to diverse audiences.
• Conduct daily walking tours.
• Serve as a step-on guide for motor coaches traveling through AWCC.
• Provide informal interpretation to guests.
• Give animal presentations to school and private groups.
• Provide interpretation and facilitate positive guest experiences at information stations.
• Facilitate animal encounters with porcupines, Sitka black-tailed deer, reindeer, moose, and bears.
• Rove and provide frontline interpretation, supporting positive guest interactions and managing guest behaviors and needs.
• Plant, weed, and harvest garden beds.
• Help prevent trash from entering animal habitats.
• Help inventory and remove invasive plant species on the property.
• Facilitate service-learning groups.
• Clean interpretive signs and buildings.
• Assist the Animal Care Department by cleaning animal habitats, collecting browse, preparing diets, washing dishes, and performing assigned husbandry and feeding duties.
• Have the opportunity to assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program as a Cook Inlet beluga whale observer.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Housing is available for seasonal team members. Staff housing is dormitory-style, with shared bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and laundry machines; Wi-Fi is provided.
• Staff living in housing who have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record may have occasional, limited access to an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs.
• Uniform items, including a jacket, rain jacket, mid-layer, and shirts, are provided.
• Employees receive free AWCC admission for friends and family.
• Employees receive a discount in the Be Wild Gift Shop.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed