WNC Nature Center’s College Program

Animal Department Internship

Dates: April – June 2010 (flexible)

              May – July 2010 (flexible)

              June – August 2010 (flexible) 
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm, 40 hours per week (flexible hours)
Location: WNC Nature Center, east Asheville
Sponsor: City of Asheville’s Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Arts Department

The WNC Nature Center is offering two 10 week paid naturalist (animal keeper) internships to qualified applicants starting in April and ending in August.  Responsibilities will include the husbandry duties of an extensive collection of wild and domestic animals including cleaning, feeding, administering medications, exhibit maintenance, participation in veterinary procedures, diet preparation, behavioral enrichment, and operant conditioning. In addition to animal care, the internship position will present educational programs to the visiting public on both wild and domestic species of animals. This interns will also be responsible for admitting, care, and transport of injured and orphaned wild animals brought to the Nature Center by the public.

These internships may require working some weekend days and holidays.  Interns are not required to be enrolled in college but preference will be given to enrolled students or recent graduates.  If your college supports your internship at WNC Nature Center as appropriate for school credit, we are happy to fill out any paperwork typically required to document your efforts.

Requirements: applicants must be able to lift 50lbs repeatedly and work in all weather conditions. Proof of tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years and a negative Tb test within the last year is required. For more information contact our office at (828)298-5600.

Application: Send City of Asheville Employment Application (www.ashevillenc.gov),  to our office at the below address along with a Letter of Intent specifying your preferred start date and a resume. This position is paid a total stipend of $1270. Application deadline: February 24, 2010, 5:00pm.

WNC Nature Center, c/o Spring Animal Internship, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805

WNC Nature Center’s College Program

Environmental Education Internship

Date: May  – August, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday (flexible hours)
Location: WNC Nature Center, east Asheville
Sponsor: City of Asheville’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts  Department

Objective: To develop a basic knowledge of and acquire skills used in planning and design of an educational display and facilitation of programs in a non-formal setting.  Topics of discussion include environmental awareness, wildlife ecology and biology, and wilderness conservation.

Major Responsibilities: Facilitate the care and maintenance of the equipment, assisting with the management of the butterfly exhibit, and playing a lead role in the maintenance of floral gardens and volunteers. Interact with visitors answering questions related to wildlife (flora and fauna).

Requirements: College or university student currently enrolled as a part-time or full-time student. Knowledge of wildlife preferred, but not required. Be able to work unsupervised. Good communications skills required and able to work outdoors. Able to provide own transportation to and from work along with own housing.

Application: Send City of Asheville Employment Application (www.ashevillenc.gov),  to our office at the below address along with a Letter of Intent specifying your preferred start date and a resume. This position is paid a total stipend of $1270. Application deadline: February 24, 2010, 5:00pm.

WNC Nature Center, c/o Summer Education Internship, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805

WNC Nature Center’s College Program

Exhibits Internship

Date: May - August 2010
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday (flexible hours)
Location: WNC Nature Center, east Asheville
Sponsor: City of Asheville’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department

Objective: To develop a basic knowledge of and acquire skills used in planning, design, and fabrication of zoological and natural history exhibits. Major Responsibilities: Will assist Exhibits Curator in a variety of ongoing productions of signs and graphics, landscaping, exhibits maintenance and repair, and fabrication of exhibits. Renovation of the Nature Center's venomous snake exhibit and on-site and offsite signs for the county will be the primary tasks this summer. May include working with cement, wire, graphics, rebar, etc. in a physically demanding environment. Work with power and hand tools desirable.

Requirements: College student in biological field (or experience). Artistic, carpentry and landscaping skills desired. Good communications needed and able to work outdoors in a physically demanding role. Specifics: 1) 10 - 12 week internship (flexible) 2)

Application: Send City of Asheville Employment Application (www.ashevillenc.gov),  to our office at the below address along with a Letter of Intent specifying your preferred start date and a resume. This position is paid a total stipend of $1270. Application deadline: February 24, 2010, 5:00pm.

WNC Nature Center, c/o Summer Exhibits Internship, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805