Employment at the VSWS

Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the American Bear Association. We are currently hiring at this time for the Sanctuary Grounds Coordinator & a Visitor & Retail Operations Manager. See info below.

Seasonal Sanctuary Grounds & Operations Manager

Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary – American Bear Association
Location: Orr, Minnesota
Position: Seasonal, Full-Time
Duration: Approximately early May through mid-to-late October (minimum 6 months; exact dates TBD)
Schedule: Generally 40–50 hours/week, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
Compensation: Salaried, starting at $1,600/month, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Housing & Meals: Provided
Sanctuary Vehicle: Provided for work-related use

Position Overview

The American Bear Association is seeking a hands-on, dependable and safety-conscious Seasonal Sanctuary Grounds & Operations Manager to help oversee the daily physical operations of the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.

This position combines grounds and facility maintenance, equipment operation, bear feeding and food preparation, inventory management, and leadership of interns and volunteers. The successful candidate must be comfortable working outdoors in a remote, rustic environment and safely working in proximity to wild American black bears.

Primary Responsibilities

Maintain sanctuary grounds, buildings, roads, viewing areas and infrastructure.
Perform general maintenance, carpentry, repairs and improvement projects.
Operate and maintain tools, equipment, vehicles and machinery as trained.
Prepare and distribute daily bear food and maintain feeding areas.
Transport, unload and organize heavy food and maintenance supplies.
Lead, train and supervise approximately 20+ interns and volunteers.
Assign daily tasks and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
Monitor inventory and communicate supply, maintenance and operational needs.
Maintain accurate records related to feeding, maintenance, inventory and incidents.
Follow and enforce sanctuary safety procedures when working around bears, equipment and other hazards.
Communicate professionally with sanctuary leadership, staff, interns, volunteers, visitors and vendors.

Required Qualifications

Experience in grounds/facilities maintenance, construction, agriculture, wildlife management, animal care, park operations or a related field.
Strong mechanical, carpentry and general maintenance skills.
Previous supervisory or leadership experience strongly preferred.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds or more repeatedly.
Ability to work long days outdoors in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain.
Ability to safely operate tools, equipment and vehicles.
Strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently, take initiative and lead others.
Ability to adapt to a variable schedule based on weather, bear behavior and sanctuary needs.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

One or more years of related experience.
Wildlife, animal care, natural resources, forestry, parks, agriculture or environmental education experience.
Experience with chainsaws, forklifts, tractors, mowers, pallet jacks or other power equipment.
Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or construction experience.
Experience working around wildlife or large animals.

Work & Living Environment

This position requires living and working at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in a remote, rustic environment. Housing and meals are provided. Accommodations may include limited electricity, running water, cell service and/or internet access. A sanctuary vehicle is provided for approved work-related use.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, dependable, adaptable, organized, safety-conscious and willing to lead by example. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in wildlife sanctuary operations, animal care, facilities maintenance and team leadership while working directly with wild American black bears.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position to bears@americanbear.org

Visitor Center & Retail Operations Manager

The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is seeking a highly organized, motivated, and adaptable individual to serve as our Visitor Center & Retail Operations Manager. This hands-on position oversees the day-to-day operation of the visitor center and office, gift shop and online retail operations, visitor services, and visitor-center interns and volunteers.

The position combines office administration, retail management, purchasing, inventory, customer service, public education, and sanctuary operations. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple priorities, interacting with the public, and working as part of a small team.

Key Responsibilities

Manage daily visitor center, office, gift shop, and online store operations.
Respond to visitor, donor, member, and general inquiries.
Manage retail purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory, merchandising, and online sales.
Monitor sales and inventory and make recommendations regarding merchandise.
Process online orders, memberships, adoptions, donations, and other visitor-center transactions.
Train and supervise visitor-center interns and volunteers.
Provide excellent visitor service and educate guests about black bears, wildlife, conservation, and peaceful coexistence.
Assist with special events, educational programs, and sanctuary activities.
Assist with daily sanctuary operations, including bear-food handling, feeding-area cleanup, groundskeeping, and supply handling.
Follow and help enforce sanctuary safety protocols, including bear-safety procedures.

Qualifications

Required:

Strong organizational, administrative, communication, and customer-service skills.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities.
Ability to work effectively with staff, interns, volunteers, visitors, and donors.
Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to learn new software and online systems.
Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and a flexible schedule as needed.
Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting and moving merchandise, supplies, and bear food.

Preferred experience or education:
Experience or education in retail management, business administration, merchandising, e-commerce, hospitality, nonprofit management, marketing, wildlife, conservation, environmental education, or a related field.

Particularly valuable experience includes retail or gift-shop management, purchasing and vendor relations, inventory management, e-commerce, point-of-sale systems, customer service, and supervision of employees, interns, or volunteers.

A degree in a related field is preferred, but equivalent professional experience will be considered in place of a degree. Wildlife experience is valued, but candidates with strong retail, visitor-services, administrative, or business experience and a genuine interest in wildlife and conservation are encouraged to apply.

Working Conditions

This is a working sanctuary position with a flexible schedule that may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasional night work. Work takes place both indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Housing and all meals are included. A sanctuary vehicle may be available for approved sanctuary-related use. Sanctuary accommodations are rustic, with limited electricity, running water, phone service, and internet access. Candidates should be comfortable living and working in a remote environment.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who enjoys wearing many hats—someone equally comfortable helping a visitor learn about black bears, managing a gift shop, placing a merchandise order, updating an online store, training an intern, answering emails, or helping with sanctuary operations.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, personable, dependable, adaptable, and willing to take initiative in a small nonprofit environment.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position to bears@americanbear.org

NOW HIRING INTERNS

We are currently hiring for interns and volunteers for the 2027 season! Stipends apply to those who qualify, meals and lodging included. Please check out our volunteer or internship programs if you’re interested in getting involved.

JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We are also looking to add a board member to our board of directors. We are specifically looking to add someone that has skills in fundraising, financial advising, advertising and/or grant writing/researching. Please e-mail us at bears@americanbear.org if you think you would be a great fit to our team!