Description

Love bears, conservation, and educating others? The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Minnesota is seeking hardworking, passionate interns for the upcoming season.

This unique internship offers hands-on experience at the only open classroom in the world where wild American black bears naturally visit and display true wild behaviors.

Duties include:

Preparing and distributing bear food
Habitat maintenance and cleanup
Lifting supplies (up to 50 lbs)
Observing and recording bear behavior
Assisting with educational content
Educating visitors, giving short talks, and helping with visitor services
Details:

Outdoor, physically demanding work in all weather
Rustic housing and food provided (limited electricity, no running water in cabins)
7–9 hour workdays, 2 days off per week
Remote location
Stipend of $50–$75/week for interns committing to 8+ weeks

Expect long days, simple living, and an unforgettable experience making a real difference for bears.

How To Apply. Fill in an Internship Application and email it to us. Applicants must also send; a resume, a letter of recommendation and one reference. We have begun accepting applications for the 2026 season. The application deadline for interns seeking to intern in August-October, the deadline is July 1st, 2026. Space is limited so APPLY EARLY!

Requirements

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:

Flexible regarding changes in schedule and work tasks
Comfortable being in close proximity to large wild animals such as bears
Able to work closely and cooperatively with other interns, staff, and volunteers
Able to work outside in temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 90s and in all weather conditions
Willing to endure the many biting insects that inhabit Northern Minnesota during the summer
Comfortable 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
YOU MUST BE OVER 18 YRS OLD TO HOLD AN INTERN POSITION WITH ABA