Naturalist Fellowship

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides them with spacious enclosures and quality animal care. 

Most of the animals that arrive at the AWCC become permanent residents and will always have a home here. The Center maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for animals to feel at home and display their natural wild behavior. Visitors may see brown bears cooling off in the water, a bull moose strutting, wood bison roaming on pastures and more.

Fellowship Program

Our Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for individuals seeking a temporary, full-time volunteer experience at the AWCC. With a minimum commitment requirement of two months, working a minimum of 32 hours per week, participants are given the short term and rigorous opportunity to live on site, join our team, learn about AWCC operations, and gain valuable career skills. These dedicated volunteers are interested in learning about our organization, mission, and wildlife and desire to share their knowledge with others. Fellowship candidates may secure funding through their university, a grant, scholarship, or similar and work as sponsored volunteers. While preference is given to applicants being sponsored for a fellowship, we will accept volunteer applications without sponsorship. Applicants should indicate their sponsorship status in the Fellowship application form and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

While applicants can indicate departmental preference in their application, participants will have duties in both our Education and Animal Care departments, with tasks such as presenting daily talks and tours, assisting with school programs, preparing animal diets, and cleaning habitats. Tasks in this program are given on a scale of earned responsibility, starting with a training and orientation that includes learning about the animals in our care and shadowing staff.

Our volunteer needs vary through the year due to fluctuating visitor numbers and seasonal changes. There are no specific start and end dates for this program, but availability is limited based on the terms of consecutive volunteer programs. Please include your preferred start and end dates in your application. Ideal participants for this program are in a phase of career exploration.

Benefits:

• Skill building and career training
• Hands on opportunities
• Live on site during full time service
• Team member discount in gift store

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to commit to a minimum 2 month full-time volunteer schedule
• Record of current Tetanus vaccinations
• Valid drivers license