Selah's Pig Sanctuary Internship

Overview

Selah’s Pig Sanctuary is a nonprofit animal sanctuary on Hawaiʻi Island working at the intersection of animal welfare, education, research, and compassionate coexistence.

Our Sanctuary Programs Internship is designed for individuals who want meaningful, hands-on experience with the day-to-day work of a growing nonprofit sanctuary. Interns participate in animal care and sanctuary operations while also contributing to one or more organizational focus areas based on their interests, skills, and the sanctuary’s current needs.

Several internships are available both in-person and remote. In addition to working directly with the animals, interns may support projects involving fundraising, education and outreach, communications, research, nonprofit development, or other mission-driven work.

Core Responsibilities

Intern responsibilities will vary depending on whether the position is on-site or remote, as well as the intern’s area of focus. Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting sanctuary programs, projects, and day-to-day nonprofit operations
• Assisting with research, fundraising, communications, education, outreach, or program development
• Contributing to specific projects based on skills, interests, and organizational needs
• Participating in regular check-ins and collaborating with sanctuary leadership or volunteer managers
• For on-site interns, assisting with animal care, enrichment, sanctuary upkeep, tours, and other hands-on sanctuary activities as needed

Areas of Focus

In addition to core sanctuary responsibilities, interns may contribute to one or more areas based on experience and interest:

• Fundraising & Development: donor research, fundraising campaigns, sponsorship programs, grant prospecting, donor stewardship, and development support
• Education & Outreach: educational materials, tours, community engagement, and public programming
• Communications & Social Media: content development, storytelling, photography, video, newsletters, and social media support
• Research & Innovation: projects related to animal welfare, sanctuary management, humane coexistence, or other mission-aligned research
• Nonprofit Operations: organizational systems, volunteer coordination, program development, and administrative projects
• Animal Care & Sanctuary Management: deeper involvement in enrichment, husbandry, behavioral observation, and sanctuary operations

Interns may also work alongside remote volunteer leaders or specialists. For example, an intern interested in nonprofit development may support SPS’s Fundraising Manager with campaign implementation, donor research, or fundraising administration.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• Genuinely interested in animal welfare and compassionate coexistence
• Comfortable working hands-on in an outdoor sanctuary environment
• Reliable, self-directed, and able to communicate clearly
• Willing to contribute to both routine animal care and broader nonprofit projects
• Open to learning and taking initiative
• Comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively
• Interested in gaining experience in animal sanctuary operations, nonprofit work, or a related professional area

Previous animal care, nonprofit, communications, fundraising, research, or related experience is helpful but not required.

Program Details

• Location: On-site near Keaau, Hawaiʻi
• Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week
• Commitment: Minimum 1–3 months preferred
• Schedule: Flexible schedule coordinated with sanctuary needs
• Housing: On-site housing provided, subject to availability
• Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. On-site housing is provided as part of the internship arrangement.
• Start Date: Rolling