Careers and Internships

Accounting Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Controller, this position provides support for Accounting and Human Resources. In addition performs duties such as coordination of meetings and conferences, obtaining supplies, coordinating mail and working on special projects.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process invoices, purchase orders, packing slips and receipts for payment and enter into Quickbooks according to account and Program Service/Class. This includes obtaining proper approvals and signatures when needed
• Enter deposits into QuickBooks
• Correspond with vendors regarding invoices and payments
• Reconcile monthly bank statements
• Generate and enter payroll journal entries
• Assist with financial and annual reports
• Reconcile vendor statements
• Reconcile benefit statements
• Schedule and organize activities such as meetings, travel and conferences
• Sorts and distributes mail
• Coordinate, schedule and track staff tours
• Run queries in donor Perfect to provide reports as needed
• Assist in reconciliation between Donor Perfect and QuickBooks
• Maintain receipts and reconcile company purchasing cards
• Maintain employee clothing allowance vouchers
• Assist employees with time clock and on line check stubs
• Backup for payroll processing
• Daily trip between Darbytown and Main Street, post office as necessary
• Maintain guest waivers and tour packets
• Maintain Worker’s Compensation audit payroll tracking spreadsheet
• Assist with employee set up, verification, changes within HR software
• New employee orientation files and documents
• Assist with warehouse backup
• Assign PO’s as needed

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop positive working relationships with other Sanctuary employees, senior management and the board. Provide recommendations to resolve issues as they arise. Interact professionally with staff, board members and volunteers.
• Good Communicator – Communicate respectfully and effectively with others. Keep management and customers informed of both internal and/or external issues and concerns. Practice good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Self-Motivated – Perform the job with minimal supervision and learn other general aspects of The Sanctuary as related to the position.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work and be on time. Follow procedures and ensure accurate documents are provided to Donors, managers, and the board
• Training – Identify and engage in on-going training for self and work with supervisor to identify additional training needs.
• Detail Oriented – Must be detail oriented to ensure integrity of the accounting records

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Associates Degree with 2 yeas accounting experience; or High School Diploma with 5 to 10 years
• Accounting experience
• Intermediate knowledge of accounting practices and principles
• Must have working knowledge or QuickBooks
• Knowledge of Donor perfect helpful
• Knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook computer programs
• Detail oriented and organized
• Ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to interact professionally with staff, board members, volunteers, vendors and
• Communicate with a diverse population

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Walking, bending,
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 25 to 50 pounds routinely

To Apply, please send your resume and cover letter to

Email: humanresources@elephants.com or
Fax: 931-796-7493
No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Elephant Caregiver

The intent of the Elephant Care Program is to provide exceptional whole life care for The Sanctuary’s resident elephants. We strive to expand and improve opportunities for elephants to thrive and to support elephants as they age relevant to Sanctuary resources and infrastructure.

The Elephant Caregiver is a member of the elephant husbandry team providing quality daily care, social and herd opportunity, nutrition, and treatments using Protected Contact and Positive Reinforcement for aging African and Asian elephants housed at The Sanctuary. Caregivers play an important role in maintaining the elephant barns and habitats to provide safe and secure housing.

Position Objectives

• Actively participate with The Sanctuary team supporting all aspects of daily and year-round elephant and facility care.
• Ensure best possible wellness practices to meet the changing health and social needs of elephants as they age. Prepare for and manage end of life palliative care and ensure quality of life.
• Manage seasonal elephant care requirements to the best of our ability.
• Employ “Protected Contact” best practice elephant management through Positive Reinforcement.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Elephant Care

• Safely and efficiently work directly with elephants to effectively provide daily care in barns and habitats.
• Prepare and provide daily diets and medications in accordance with animal care protocols and related safety guidelines.
• Observe and interpret elephant behavior and diet consumption, report significant changes. Adapt with seasonal changes and elephant health status.
• Develop proficiency in implementation of treatment(s), foot care, and preventative care in collaboration with the Veterinary team.
• Promote elephant autonomy, social opportunity, and herd building dynamics.
• Assist in the procurement, preparation and delivery of browse, and other forms of enrichment.
• Provide husbandry training support for elephants to maintain and teach behaviors required to meet elephant program objectives.
• Prepare for and manage geriatric and end of life elephant care circumstances.

Facilities & Supplies

• Monitor, inspect and maintain elephant and safety infrastructure (e.g., barns, fence, gates) and report breakage/failures in a timely manner to supervisor.
• Provide daily cleaning and upkeep of elephant facilities, including barns, service areas, habitats, and other related infrastructure.
• Implement seasonal procedural changes for barn and habitat management, as directed.
• Ensure work areas, access, parking, and offices are cleaned and maintained daily in a safe, neat, and orderly fashion.
• Assist in unloading and storage of feed and hay deliveries.
• Monitor and maintain feed and husbandry supplies. Order supplies as needed and requested.
• Perform daily basic maintenance safety checks on vehicles and equipment; report as requested.

Safety

Understand and participate with all assigned safety training protocols for The Sanctuary and department.

• Safely operate ATVs, vehicles and equipment on roads, trails and in habitats, per established protocols.
• Perform elephant care tasks in accordance with existing safety guidelines; maintain constant awareness of elephants and co-worker proximity.
• Participate in elephant escape, elephant down, and other emergency training protocols as requested.

Administrative / Other

• Maintain daily animal care and observation logs and record keeping.
• Adhere to weekly schedules for both daily animal care and night feedings, as weather requires.
• Actively participate in barn meetings to ensure daily goals are understood and met.
• Monitor Ele-cam location and provide appropriate reporting.
• Represent The Elephant Sanctuary in internal and local community and public events as required.
• Provide written updates for internal newsletter (Ele-buzz) and other communications as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop cooperative working relationships with other Sanctuary employees, departments, senior management.
• Good Communicator – Communicate respectfully and effectively with others. Good verbal and written communication skills. Report internal and/or external issues and concerns to supervisor.
• Self-Motivated – Perform the job responsibilities with minimal supervision, takes initiative without direction. Strong work ethic and professional demeanor. Ability to recognize and understand issues and problems, then resolve them in a practical manner.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work and be on time. Follow procedures and maintain accurate records related to all aspects of elephant care and all areas of responsibility.
• Training – Identify and engage in ongoing professional development. Develop self-training plan with supervisor and play a support role to help train co-workers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Three years combined volunteer, intern or paid experience working with exotic or native wildlife. Elephant experience preferred. Significant domestic large animal experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. A combination of experience and education is acceptable.
• Animal training experience working in protected contact and positive reinforcement systems is preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License, insurable to drive company vehicles, and ability to provide own transportation to/from work.
• Preferred equipment & tool operating experience including mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and power tools. Heavy equipment operation a plus (skid steer loaders, farm tractors).
• Preferred vehicle operating experience including 4-wheel drive trucks, ATVs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to stand/work for 8 hours in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs repeatedly during loading/unloading supplies.
• Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks, (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking).

To Apply, please send your resume and cover letter to

Email: humanresources@elephants.com or
Fax: 931-796-7493
No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Accounting Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Controller, this position provides support for Accounting and Human Resources. In addition performs duties such as coordination of meetings and conferences, obtaining supplies, coordinating mail and working on special projects.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process invoices, purchase orders, packing slips and receipts for payment and enter into Quickbooks according to account and Program Service/Class. This includes obtaining proper approvals and signatures when needed
• Enter deposits into QuickBooks
• Correspond with vendors regarding invoices and payments
• Reconcile monthly bank statements
• Generate and enter payroll journal entries
• Assist with financial and annual reports
• Reconcile vendor statements
• Reconcile benefit statements
• Schedule and organize activities such as meetings, travel and conferences
• Sorts and distributes mail
• Coordinate, schedule and track staff tours
• Run queries in donor Perfect to provide reports as needed
• Assist in reconciliation between Donor Perfect and QuickBooks
• Maintain receipts and reconcile company purchasing cards
• Maintain employee clothing allowance vouchers
• Assist employees with time clock and on line check stubs
• Backup for payroll processing
• Daily trip between Darbytown and Main Street, post office as necessary
• Maintain guest waivers and tour packets
• Maintain Worker’s Compensation audit payroll tracking spreadsheet
• Assist with employee set up, verification, changes within HR software
• New employee orientation files and documents
• Assist with warehouse backup
• Assign PO’s as needed

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop positive working relationships with other Sanctuary employees, senior management and the board. Provide recommendations to resolve issues as they arise. Interact professionally with staff, board members and volunteers.
• Good Communicator – Communicate respectfully and effectively with others. Keep management and customers informed of both internal and/or external issues and concerns. Practice good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Self-Motivated – Perform the job with minimal supervision and learn other general aspects of The Sanctuary as related to the position.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work and be on time. Follow procedures and ensure accurate documents are provided to Donors, managers, and the board
• Training – Identify and engage in on-going training for self and work with supervisor to identify additional training needs.
• Detail Oriented – Must be detail oriented to ensure integrity of the accounting records

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Associates Degree with 2 yeas accounting experience; or High School Diploma with 5 to 10 years
• Accounting experience
• Intermediate knowledge of accounting practices and principles
• Must have working knowledge or QuickBooks
• Knowledge of Donor perfect helpful
• Knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook computer programs
• Detail oriented and organized
• Ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to interact professionally with staff, board members, volunteers, vendors and
• Communicate with a diverse population

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Walking, bending,
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 25 to 50 pounds routinely

To Apply, please send your resume and cover letter to

Email: humanresources@elephants.com or
Fax: 931-796-7493
No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Elephant Caregiver

The intent of the Elephant Care Program is to provide exceptional whole life care for The Sanctuary’s resident elephants. We strive to expand and improve opportunities for elephants to thrive and to support elephants as they age relevant to Sanctuary resources and infrastructure.

The Elephant Caregiver is a member of the elephant husbandry team providing quality daily care, social and herd opportunity, nutrition, and treatments using Protected Contact and Positive Reinforcement for aging African and Asian elephants housed at The Sanctuary. Caregivers play an important role in maintaining the elephant barns and habitats to provide safe and secure housing.

Position Objectives

• Actively participate with The Sanctuary team supporting all aspects of daily and year-round elephant and facility care.
• Ensure best possible wellness practices to meet the changing health and social needs of elephants as they age. Prepare for and manage end of life palliative care and ensure quality of life.
• Manage seasonal elephant care requirements to the best of our ability.
• Employ “Protected Contact” best practice elephant management through Positive Reinforcement.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Elephant Care

• Safely and efficiently work directly with elephants to effectively provide daily care in barns and habitats.
• Prepare and provide daily diets and medications in accordance with animal care protocols and related safety guidelines.
• Observe and interpret elephant behavior and diet consumption, report significant changes. Adapt with seasonal changes and elephant health status.
• Develop proficiency in implementation of treatment(s), foot care, and preventative care in collaboration with the Veterinary team.
• Promote elephant autonomy, social opportunity, and herd building dynamics.
• Assist in the procurement, preparation and delivery of browse, and other forms of enrichment.
• Provide husbandry training support for elephants to maintain and teach behaviors required to meet elephant program objectives.
• Prepare for and manage geriatric and end of life elephant care circumstances.

Facilities & Supplies

• Monitor, inspect and maintain elephant and safety infrastructure (e.g., barns, fence, gates) and report breakage/failures in a timely manner to supervisor.
• Provide daily cleaning and upkeep of elephant facilities, including barns, service areas, habitats, and other related infrastructure.
• Implement seasonal procedural changes for barn and habitat management, as directed.
• Ensure work areas, access, parking, and offices are cleaned and maintained daily in a safe, neat, and orderly fashion.
• Assist in unloading and storage of feed and hay deliveries.
• Monitor and maintain feed and husbandry supplies. Order supplies as needed and requested.
• Perform daily basic maintenance safety checks on vehicles and equipment; report as requested.

Safety

Understand and participate with all assigned safety training protocols for The Sanctuary and department.

• Safely operate ATVs, vehicles and equipment on roads, trails and in habitats, per established protocols.
• Perform elephant care tasks in accordance with existing safety guidelines; maintain constant awareness of elephants and co-worker proximity.
• Participate in elephant escape, elephant down, and other emergency training protocols as requested.

Administrative / Other

• Maintain daily animal care and observation logs and record keeping.
• Adhere to weekly schedules for both daily animal care and night feedings, as weather requires.
• Actively participate in barn meetings to ensure daily goals are understood and met.
• Monitor Ele-cam location and provide appropriate reporting.
• Represent The Elephant Sanctuary in internal and local community and public events as required.
• Provide written updates for internal newsletter (Ele-buzz) and other communications as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop cooperative working relationships with other Sanctuary employees, departments, senior management.
• Good Communicator – Communicate respectfully and effectively with others. Good verbal and written communication skills. Report internal and/or external issues and concerns to supervisor.
• Self-Motivated – Perform the job responsibilities with minimal supervision, takes initiative without direction. Strong work ethic and professional demeanor. Ability to recognize and understand issues and problems, then resolve them in a practical manner.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work and be on time. Follow procedures and maintain accurate records related to all aspects of elephant care and all areas of responsibility.
• Training – Identify and engage in ongoing professional development. Develop self-training plan with supervisor and play a support role to help train co-workers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Three years combined volunteer, intern or paid experience working with exotic or native wildlife. Elephant experience preferred. Significant domestic large animal experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. A combination of experience and education is acceptable.
• Animal training experience working in protected contact and positive reinforcement systems is preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License, insurable to drive company vehicles, and ability to provide own transportation to/from work.
• Preferred equipment & tool operating experience including mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and power tools. Heavy equipment operation a plus (skid steer loaders, farm tractors).
• Preferred vehicle operating experience including 4-wheel drive trucks, ATVs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to stand/work for 8 hours in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs repeatedly during loading/unloading supplies.
• Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks, (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking).

To Apply, please send your resume and cover letter to

Email: humanresources@elephants.com or
Fax: 931-796-7493
No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Intern (Paid Position) Spring 2025

INTERNSHIP TERM: 02/24/25 - 05/16/25

POSITION SUMMARY:

Twelve-week Internship Program focused on providing experiential learning opportunities to individuals seeking to understand, develop and establish careers in the fields of elephant care and conservation. Interns work closely with Caregivers as well as Education, Development, and Communications staff for a multi-departmental learning experience. This internship provides an individual with the opportunity to gain work experience at an elephant sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Elephant Sanctuary practices protected contact/positive reinforcement management of the elephants. Interns will not have free contact interaction with elephants.

Acceptance into internship program does NOT guarantee future employment at The Sanctuary.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

• Work closely day-to-day under guidance of assigned mentors
• Assist elephant care staff in day-to-day activities
• Record keeping and welfare assessment skills
• Public presentation opportunities
• Assist with enrichment, literature research, and/or other specific projects
• Assist with animal training projects
• Follow all safety instructions and procedures
• Gain valuable skills working in a dynamic team environment
• Any other duties and/or assignments as needed

*Please note this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The requirements of the internship are subject to change as deemed necessary by The Sanctuary.

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop strong working relationships with other Sanctuary employees. Keep intern mentor and supervisor informed of issues, concerns and problems and if possible, be prepared with recommendations to resolve issues as they arise.
• Good Communicator – Communicate thoughtfully and effectively with others in a timely fashion via in-person conversation, text, phone, and email.
• Self-Motivated – Strong work ethic and professional demeanor.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work at agreed upon time ready to exert oneself physically and mentally. Follow procedures and maintain accurate records related to all aspects of elephant care and all areas of responsibility.
• Training – Work with intern mentor and supervisor to address training needs and develop training plans to ensure ongoing professional development.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• At least 18 years of age
• GPA of 2.20 or higher
• Completed at least two years of secondary education; this program is designed for students and recent graduates pursuing a career in large exotic mammal husbandry and/or wildlife conservation
• Willing to commit to a 12-week term (5 days/week, 40 hours/week)
• On-site housing provided. Must be willing to live in co-ed housing with one or more other intern(s).
• Proof of current tetanus vaccination, TB test, and signed physician form to approve mask-fit testing is required. All tests/vaccinations are at the applicant’s expense.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination series
• Must have own means of transportation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to stand/work outdoors for eight hours at a time in ALL weather conditions
• Must be able to lift 50lbs repeatedly
• Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking etc.)
• Must be comfortable being exposed (with personal protective equipment in place) to a variety of auditory (some loud, sudden) and olfactory stimuli over the course of regular work duties

The Sanctuary is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to:

Email: humanresources@elephants.com or
Fax: 931-796-1360
No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.