Regional Conservation and Outreach Fellowship

North Carolina Zoo Fellowship Program 

The North Carolina Zoo is seeking motivated, organized, and responsible individuals to serve as Zoo Fellows within the Zoo’s Conservation, Education, and Science (CES) section. Fellows will gain hands-on experience in environmental education, conservation outreach, or land management while collaborating with CES staff, other Zoo departments, and community partners to deliver impactful programs that support the Zoo’s mission. 

These full-time, 11-month fellowship positions require a commitment of 1,700 service hours—working 5 days a week, 8 hours per day—including some weekends, early mornings, evenings, and occasional holidays. This fellowship starts September 2, 2025 and runs through July 2026. 

Ideal candidates are adaptable, reliable, and passionate about protecting wildlife and wild places, and inspiring others to care for the natural world. Fellows should feel comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, in a variety of settings and weather conditions. 

Each position is paid $18 per hour, with payments issued biweekly. Onsite housing is available at no cost upon request. Please note that these fellowships do not include additional benefits. 

About the Position 

The Regional Conservation and Outreach Fellow will join the Zoo’s conservation team and assist with  conservation, outreach, and land management, primarily within the Zoo’s 2,000 acres of natural  areas, but also other offsite community locations. This position reports directly to the Associate  Curator of Regional Conservation and is part of the Zoo’s Conservation, Education, and Science  (CES) team. 

In addition to hands-on program experience, the Fellow will have access to a variety of professional  development opportunities, which may include: 

• National Association for Interpretation Certificate of Interpretive Guiding (CIG) course • Playful Pedagogy workshops (certificate)
• KultureCity Sensory Awareness Training
• NNOCCI (National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation) course • Paid enrollment in the North Carolina Environmental Education (NCEE) certification program, if  interested

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide environmental education programs in the Zoo’s natural areas, such as guided nature  hikes, canoe trips, and community science events.
• Participate in community science projects and develop opportunities for public involvement in  them.
• Assist with sustainability programs and events, such as litter cleanups, tree planting, pollinator  garden planting, and composting.
• Work with the Zoo’s trail crew to maintain 10 miles of hiking trails and build new trails. • Assist with conservation and research projects, such as wildlife surveys, amphibian  headstarting, and habitat restoration activities.
• Assist with designing and delivering environmental education programs for our after-school  partners.
• Assist with reaching virtual audiences with our conservation, climate, and STEM education  programs across the state through our digital platforms (e.g., Facebook Group, YouTube, and  Instagram) and live virtual programs.
• Build experience collaborating with historically underserved communities and diverse  audiences by co-designing and delivering inclusive environmental education programs, and by  evaluating community needs and program effectiveness.
• Engage in education evaluations of programs, learn new methods of collecting, analyzing and  sharing data.

Qualifications & Skills 

• Strong communication, decision making, and organizational skills with ability to work effectively  in a team setting and independently
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative, adapt to changing needs, and work  with minimal supervision
• Ability to manage multiple projects and successfully complete tasks in a timely manner • Ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with individuals from a wide range of cultural, social, and professional backgrounds

• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook • Ability to work outdoors year-round in all types of weather
• Ability to hike at least three miles on uneven terrain and slopes
• Ability to use hand tools for trail work and lift 25 pounds
• Valid driver’s license or ability to get one within 30 days
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends, as needed

Education requirements for both positions 

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, education, or related field
• Alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of relevant experience, such as working in environmental education, outdoor recreation, conservation fieldwork, youth programming, community outreach, or similar roles in non-formal education settings (e.g., zoos, aquariums, parks, museums, or nature centers)
• Please note: Applicants must be recent graduates who have received their degree within the past two years to be eligible for this position.

Preferred Experience 

• Experience in public speaking or informal education
• Participation in community science projects
• Participation in data collection and analysis
• Experience hiking, paddling, or other forms of outdoor recreation
• Experience working with children