Naturalist- Internship

A Naturalist Intern’s primary responsibility is assisting the year-round education team in all interpretation, educational programming, and tours both at AWCC and off site. This position is designed for college students, recent graduates, or career changing individuals interested in working in this field regardless of relation to their degree path. In this position, interns will have the opportunity to gain experience and skills relative to position duties, and cross train on animal care duties and procedures.

Workdays and hours assigned by Director of Education and Naturalist Supervisor will vary by week; full 40 hours and 5 days per week, maximum 8 hours per day. Positions are available beginning in May and ending in September - October.

Job Duties

Interpretation and Education

Perform daily talks about AWCC and Alaskan wildlife to a diverse audience of guests

Conduct daily walking tours

Be a step on guide for motor coaches driving through AWCC

Provide opportunistic informal interpretation to guests

Give animal presentations to school groups and private groups

Provide interpretation and facilitate positive guest experiences at information stations

Facilitate animal encounters with porcupine, Sitka black-tailed deer, reindeer, moose, and bears

F rontline interpretation through roving, ensuring positive guest interactions and managing guest behaviors and needs

Sanctuary Presentability and Safety

Planting, weeding, and harvesting in garden beds

Ensure trash does not find its way into animal habitats

Help inventory and pull invasive plant species on property

Facilitate service-learning groups

Clean interpretive signs and buildings

Assist Animal Care Department

Cleaning animal habitats

Collect browse, prepare diets, and wash dishes

Husbandry and feeding duties as assigned

Research

Opportunity to assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program as a Cook Inlet beluga whale observer

Other duties as assigned

Necessary Skills

Public speaking to large and small audiences while professionally representing AWCC

Engage respectfully in a team environment to help achieve AWCC’s goals and objectives

Exemplify a professional, positive, and respectful attitude and strong work ethic

Be comfortable working around animals in human care

Actively participate in fun, sometimes silly group and team building activities

Ability to work outdoors in drastically changing weather including extreme wind, temperatures, pouring rain, and winter conditions

Ability to work long hours on your feet and walk long distances over uneven terrain while providing interpretive talks and information

Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds

Ability to work directly with the public and diverse audiences providing information and assistance as needed and in a positive manner

Willingness to learn areas of interest to visitors including local history, geography, geology, and more

Must be able to work a highly variable schedule as needed, including all weekends, early mornings, and nights

Strong time and task management skills

Current driver’s license

Must be able to pass background check

Must be eligible to work in the United States

Must have received or be willing to receive a tetanus vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required

Additionally Considered Skills

These additional skills will be considered, but are not required for this position

Preferred internship length is 19-21 weeks with end dates in mid-late– September - early October

Preferred Start Date by May 11th

Some college coursework in a related field. Some examples may include Education, Interpretation, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Zoological Sciences, Ecology, Animal Science, or other related topics of interest

Application demonstrates how this opportunity will be a career building opportunity

Application demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programs

Experience with Alaska’s wildlife and environment

This position is eligible as a credit earning opportunity in the University of Alaska system along with several other universities. If you are interested in earning credit for this opportunity, please inquire in your application packet .

Rabies vaccine: depending on the animals in our care at the time of the internship having this vaccination may lead to more animal care opportunities

Fluency in multiple languages

Dena'ina language familiarity

First Aid and CPR Certified

Area Specifics and Benefits

Housing is available for seasonal team members.

Housing is dormitory style with multiple shared bedrooms as well as shared bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and laundry machines, Wi-Fi is provided. Ability to courteously live with other team members is essential.

Staff living in staff housing with a valid driver’s license and safe driving record have occasional and limited access to an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs.

Portage, Alaska is located 45 miles southeast of Anchorage, and 10 miles past Girdwood, a small ski-town. There is one small grocery store in Girdwood; Anchorage has the closest typical city amenities.

This position has uniform requirements, logo uniform requirements will be provided to the employee including jacket, rain jacket, mid-layer, and shirts.

Additional gear/clothing in selected colors for comfort working outside and non-working times is employee responsibility

Employees receive free admission to AWCC for friends and family

Employees receive a discount in our Be Wild Gift Shop

To Apply

Submit a single one-sided page resume

Submit a single one-sided page cover letter detailing how this position would help you to progress in your chosen career path. Cover letters should demonstrate an understanding of AWCC's mission and programming.

Address applications to Lily Grbavach, Director of Education, and Kristina Rogers, Naturalist Supervisor.

Phone and email contacts for three professional references with job titles and working relationship.

Include month and date for earliest available start date and latest available end date.

The deadline to submit an application for all internship opportunities is Saturday, January 31, 2027.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.