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.