Careers and Internships

Careers

The Elephant Sanctuary Team works together to provide elephants with herd, individualized lifetime care, and a safe haven dedicated to their well-being. We hope you might consider joining our team and helping us to support elephants.

On this page, you will find the most up-to-date information on employment opportunities with The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

As an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to treat all employees equally without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Transparency In Coverage
This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

Current Opportunities

Internships

The Sanctuary’s 12-week Internship Program is 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 Staff for a multi-departmental learning experience.

Internship program dates will be announced via EleNews, which you may sign up to receive at the bottom of this page.

Current Opportunities

No opportunities currently available.

Full-time Elephant Caregiver Role

Providing home, herd, and whole life care for elephants

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 elephants required. Significant domestic large animal experience may be considered.
Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. A combination of experience and education is acceptable.
Require animal training experience working in protected contact and positive reinforcement systems.
Valid Driver’s License, insurable to drive company vehicles, and ability to provide own transportation to/from work.
Require equipment & tool operating experience including mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and power tools. Heavy equipment operation a plus (skid steer loaders, farm tractors).
Require 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 and carry 50 lbs repeatedly during loading/unloading supplies.
Walk in various terrain-uneven, sloped, rocky, etc.
Pushing, pulling, reaching overhead, reaching at or below shoulder level, keyboarding, seizing, holding, grasping, turning, touching, pinching, picking, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing
Use of one or both feet to move controls on machinery or equipment
Driving (tractor, mower, ATV, etc.)
Speaking- convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly (ex. communicate on the radio while on an ATV, shout to co-workers when not in visual contact, speak quickly and accurately)
Hearing- Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds to include the ability to hear and respond quickly to radio calls, communicate while riding an ATV, understand commands from co-workers)
Visual- ability to see 20 feet or more and to recognize features; peripheral
Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks, (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking).
Ability to react quickly due to movements of elephants

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

Two months complimentary housing in our coed accommodations adjacent to The Sanctuary
For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Clothing allowance & professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Full-time Manager, Education and Outreach

The Education and Outreach Manager leads The Elephant Sanctuary’s education, outreach, and volunteer initiatives. This role integrates program development, volunteer management, and community engagement to advance conservation education and strengthen connections with diverse audiences. Key responsibilities include overseeing education and volunteer staff, managing the Elephant Discovery Center, developing innovative outreach and volunteer programs, coordinating events, and expanding training opportunities to position The Elephant Sanctuary as a premier resource in conservation and elephant welfare.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communication and Leadership

Positions the Elephant Discovery Center as a local and national resource for learning about elephants and conservation.
Develops long-term education and outreach goals aligned with the Sanctuary’s mission, and with the CEO.
Ensures the Sanctuary’s education programs reach target audiences effectively.
Serves as spokesperson for the Sanctuary’s educational programs, as appropriate.
Represents the organization at conferences and community events.
Recruits, onboards, schedules, develops, and supervises education and volunteer staff.
Measures and reports on the effectiveness and reach of all education, outreach, and volunteer initiatives to inform future strategy.

Outreach and Volunteer Program Management

Directs the Sanctuary Volunteer Program and supports the Volunteer Coordinator as needed.
Leads the expansion of the Volunteer program
Represents the Sanctuary in community organizations and city-sponsored events.
Identifies and pursues outreach opportunities within the local and broader Tennessee community.
Collaborates with Communications and Development teams to cultivate partnerships and support fundraising initiatives.

Elephant Discovery Center

Ensures the Elephant Discover Center operates efficiently and effectively.
Leads the research and development of targeted educational materials and curricula tailored to specific audiences.
Ensures content of educational materials remain current, accurate, and aligned with the Sanctuary’s mission, Next Generation Science standards, and academic requirements.
Assists with developing protocols for learning assessments and program effectiveness using data-driven approaches
Oversees the development of the Sanctuary’s Elephant Discovery Center exhibits, learning lab, public spaces, and associated educational resources, with CEO.
Manages and delivers the Distance Learning program with the Education team.
Manages group visits and meetings at the Discovery Center and supports the Education team as needed.
Oversees the EleCams daily/seasonal public presentation, aligned with the organization’s education and communication objectives.

Resource Development

Assists the CEO and Development team with education resource development for organizational growth.
Develops and implements annual and long-term education budgets.
Assists with grant applications and manages budgets for education and outreach programs.
Supports the identification and submission of education grant proposals.
Performs additional duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

Bachelor’s degree in education, Non-Profit Management, Wildlife Management, or related field (Master’s Preferred).
3-5 years of leadership experience
5+ years of experience in education and outreach programming, including volunteer management.
Exceptional communication skills
Demonstrated experience with communication technology and relevant software (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel
Bilingual (Spanish) ideal but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be on-site in Hohenwald, TN, 5 days per week; includes weekends and occasional evenings.
· Primarily sedentary work. Must be able to sit / stand for eight hours.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, with occasional work outdoors in varied weather, and walk on uneven terrain.
Walking, bending, light lifting.

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Clothing allowance & professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Full-time Office Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Office Manager provides executive and administrative support for The Elephant Sanctuary team and reports directly to the CEO. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgement in a variety of situations and will possess strong written and verbal communication, administrative and organizational skills. Ability to maintain realistic balance among multiple priorities and handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion. With a strong role in HR function, the Office Manager plays support the day-to-day function of the executive office and team based in Hohenwald, TN.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide comprehensive support services to the CEO and Executive team that ensure outstanding communication and responsiveness
Support HR needs, onboarding, update office policy, records keeping, and receive and respond to employee needs and inquiries, with CEO
Maintains IT office communication systems, manages filing systems, office equipment and related office material inventories
Assists with and supports the daily coordination and scheduling of the Darbytown administrative and operations office during normal work hours.
Organize and coordinate meetings and other logistics, including technical communication functions to ensure successful outcomes, accurate communication, reporting and follow up.
Maintain quality filing and communications systems, updates governance documents for the Board and the organization, as assigned
Takes meeting minutes and oversees meeting reporting, other administrative tasks as assigned
Coordinates and ensures positive visitor and guest experience including logistics and support for meetings, visits, overnights
Plan and participate with in-house and offsite event planning and coordination which may include evening, weekend and holiday work time
Oversee daily office administrative needs, sort mail, answer phone calls
All other duties and special projects may be assigned

SKILLS

Experience developing internal communication systems, advanced computer skills, ability to learn new software.
Excellent organization skills, commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills
Experience with HR office function and process
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
Demonstrated writing and analytical skills.
Good judgment and ability to function independently
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with diplomacy
Hands-on experience with office equipment and IT software and hardware function
Working knowledge of IT support for meetings and communications including the use of audio/visual hardware and software such as Zoom, Teams, Google, etc.
Must be willing to work in Hohenwald, Tennessee 4 to 5 days a week
Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings

QUALIFICATIONS

College degree in Business Administration or related field
Two years related office management experience
Must possess a valid driver’s license

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Full-time Elephant Caregiver Role

Providing home, herd, and whole life care for elephants

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 elephants required. Significant domestic large animal experience may be considered.
Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. A combination of experience and education is acceptable.
Require animal training experience working in protected contact and positive reinforcement systems.
Valid Driver’s License, insurable to drive company vehicles, and ability to provide own transportation to/from work.
Require equipment & tool operating experience including mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and power tools. Heavy equipment operation a plus (skid steer loaders, farm tractors).
Require 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 and carry 50 lbs repeatedly during loading/unloading supplies.
Walk in various terrain-uneven, sloped, rocky, etc.
Pushing, pulling, reaching overhead, reaching at or below shoulder level, keyboarding, seizing, holding, grasping, turning, touching, pinching, picking, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing
Use of one or both feet to move controls on machinery or equipment
Driving (tractor, mower, ATV, etc.)
Speaking- convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly (ex. communicate on the radio while on an ATV, shout to co-workers when not in visual contact, speak quickly and accurately)
Hearing- Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds to include the ability to hear and respond quickly to radio calls, communicate while riding an ATV, understand commands from co-workers)
Visual- ability to see 20 feet or more and to recognize features; peripheral
Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks, (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking).
Ability to react quickly due to movements of elephants

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

Two months complimentary housing in our coed accommodations adjacent to The Sanctuary
For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Clothing allowance & professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Full-time Manager, Education and Outreach

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communication and Leadership

Positions the Elephant Discovery Center as a local and national resource for learning about elephants and conservation.
Develops long-term education and outreach goals aligned with the Sanctuary’s mission, and with the CEO.
Ensures the Sanctuary’s education programs reach target audiences effectively.
Serves as spokesperson for the Sanctuary’s educational programs, as appropriate.
Represents the organization at conferences and community events.
Recruits, onboards, schedules, develops, and supervises education and volunteer staff.
Measures and reports on the effectiveness and reach of all education, outreach, and volunteer initiatives to inform future strategy.

Outreach and Volunteer Program Management

Directs the Sanctuary Volunteer Program and supports the Volunteer Coordinator as needed.
Leads the expansion of the Volunteer program
Represents the Sanctuary in community organizations and city-sponsored events.
Identifies and pursues outreach opportunities within the local and broader Tennessee community.
Collaborates with Communications and Development teams to cultivate partnerships and support fundraising initiatives.

Elephant Discovery Center

Ensures the Elephant Discover Center operates efficiently and effectively.
Leads the research and development of targeted educational materials and curricula tailored to specific audiences.
Ensures content of educational materials remain current, accurate, and aligned with the Sanctuary’s mission, Next Generation Science standards, and academic requirements.
Assists with developing protocols for learning assessments and program effectiveness using data-driven approaches
Oversees the development of the Sanctuary’s Elephant Discovery Center exhibits, learning lab, public spaces, and associated educational resources, with CEO.
Manages and delivers the Distance Learning program with the Education team.
Manages group visits and meetings at the Discovery Center and supports the Education team as needed.
Oversees the EleCams daily/seasonal public presentation, aligned with the organization’s education and communication objectives.

Resource Development

Assists the CEO and Development team with education resource development for organizational growth.
Develops and implements annual and long-term education budgets.
Assists with grant applications and manages budgets for education and outreach programs.
Supports the identification and submission of education grant proposals.
Performs additional duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

Bachelor’s degree in education, Non-Profit Management, Wildlife Management, or related field (Master’s Preferred).
3-5 years of leadership experience
5+ years of experience in education and outreach programming, including volunteer management.
Exceptional communication skills
Demonstrated experience with communication technology and relevant software (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel
Bilingual (Spanish) ideal but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be on-site in Hohenwald, TN, 5 days per week; includes weekends and occasional evenings.
· Primarily sedentary work. Must be able to sit / stand for eight hours.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, with occasional work outdoors in varied weather, and walk on uneven terrain.
Walking, bending, light lifting.

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Clothing allowance & professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Full-time Office Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide comprehensive support services to the CEO and Executive team that ensure outstanding communication and responsiveness
Support HR needs, onboarding, update office policy, records keeping, and receive and respond to employee needs and inquiries, with CEO
Maintains IT office communication systems, manages filing systems, office equipment and related office material inventories
Assists with and supports the daily coordination and scheduling of the Darbytown administrative and operations office during normal work hours.
Organize and coordinate meetings and other logistics, including technical communication functions to ensure successful outcomes, accurate communication, reporting and follow up.
Maintain quality filing and communications systems, updates governance documents for the Board and the organization, as assigned
Takes meeting minutes and oversees meeting reporting, other administrative tasks as assigned
Coordinates and ensures positive visitor and guest experience including logistics and support for meetings, visits, overnights
Plan and participate with in-house and offsite event planning and coordination which may include evening, weekend and holiday work time
Oversee daily office administrative needs, sort mail, answer phone calls
All other duties and special projects may be assigned

SKILLS

Experience developing internal communication systems, advanced computer skills, ability to learn new software.
Excellent organization skills, commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills
Experience with HR office function and process
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
Demonstrated writing and analytical skills.
Good judgment and ability to function independently
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with diplomacy
Hands-on experience with office equipment and IT software and hardware function
Working knowledge of IT support for meetings and communications including the use of audio/visual hardware and software such as Zoom, Teams, Google, etc.
Must be willing to work in Hohenwald, Tennessee 4 to 5 days a week
Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings

QUALIFICATIONS

College degree in Business Administration or related field
Two years related office management experience
Must possess a valid driver’s license

Enjoy premium benefits, including:

For individuals 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision
Life insurance, short-term disability, AirEvac, EAP
401(k) with match
Paid holidays, PTO, sick time
Professional development

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to humanresources@elephants.com

No telephone calls, please. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

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Careers and Internships

Careers

Full-time Elephant Caregiver Role

Full-time Manager, Education and Outreach

Full-time Office Manager

Internships

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