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Description<\/strong><\/p>\n Morning\/afternoon jobs<\/p>\n Picking up and\/or unloading supplies, including 50-pound bags of seed and 35-pound bags of fruit and nuts. Heavy lifting is often a part of the job and is therefore required. Assisting with admission and parking cars Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n The primary requirement is a sincere desire to help promote the welfare of bears and other natural resources through a personal contribution of long hours and hard work. Preference will be given to candidates who are enrolled in or have recently completed post-secondary education in programs such as wildlife management, wildlife biology, environmental education, natural resources, and business administration. However, other applicants with a sincere desire to intern with us will be given serious consideration as well. All interns must read the ABA Volunteer Handbook and be willing to complete a liability waiver form. An applicant must be conscientious, have a good work ethic, and be a team player and self-starter. In addition he or she must be able to follow directions and have good social skills in dealing with the public. We are looking for individuals that can stay for at LEAST a month between May 1st and October 1st. Since space is limited, those able to stay longer will be given preference. We are looking for applicants who are:<\/p>\n Flexible regarding changes in schedule and work tasks
\nDaily cleanup of feeding areas and scat removal
\nMaintaining the property, including carpentry projects
\nPlanting, mulching, weed-eating and other landscape improvement projects
\nPreparing and distributing bear food mixtures
\nSplitting firewood, road maintenance and other miscellaneous tasks
\nMaintain records on bear activity and behavior
\nThere may also be opportunities to work with the MN DNR on special projects
\nResearch projects are sometimes available upon request. If it is a requirement for your internship, an advisor must oversee the research project
\nCooking meals for staff and volunteers, and kitchen cleanup
\nJobs during evening\/visitors\u2019 hours include:<\/p>\n
\nGreeting visitors on their arrival
\nTalking with the public and answering their questions
\nEducating the public about black bears, ecology, behavior, practical environmental conservation and land stewardship
\nPreparing formal 3-8 minute deck talks that interpret bear behavior and debunk any myths and misconceptions our visitors may have regarding bears
\nExecute a prepared 5 minute introductory bus talk on the history of the bears and Vince Shute
\nSale of souvenirs and educational materials in the gift shop
\nPromoting membership to the American Bear Association<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nComfortable being in close proximity to large wild animals such as bears
\nAble to work closely and cooperatively with other interns, staff, and volunteers
\nAble to work outside in temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 90s and in all weather conditions
\nWilling to endure the many biting insects that inhabit Northern Minnesota during the summer
\nComfortable talking with the public about the untraditional nature of the VSWS. As a supplemental feeding site, with a 50-year history of feeding wild black bears, we often are controversial
\nYOU MUST BE OVER 18 YRS OLD TO HOLD AN INTERN POSITION WITH ABA<\/p>\n