Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Reservations are not required, and tickets do not need to be purchased online in advance.

Employment & Apprenticeships

A Nature Center employee with a white tailed deer.

Employment Opportunities at the WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center is a park within the City of Asheville. To find out about employment opportunities, visit the City of Asheville employment page.

Summer Camp Counselor, posted 2/7/2023


The Friends of the WNC Nature Center
is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that supports the Nature Center through fundraising, marketing, membership, Gift Shop, outreach education, and volunteer programs. Current employment opportunities are posted on Indeed and listed below.

The Friends periodically have part time openings in the Gift Shop and Membership Office for Gift Shop Sales Associate (pdf)  positions. Please click the link to learn more. 

 

View the Friends’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement here.

 

A Nature Center intern speaks during an Animal Education program.

Volunteer Apprenticeships at the WNC Nature Center

Are you looking to gain experience or learn more about zoo careers?

The WNC Nature Center is searching for seasonal apprentices to assist with our Education Department. Our apprentice positions are volunteer, non-paid positions, but after serving a minimum of 240 hours, apprentices will be eligible to receive a $2,000 stipend (any applicable taxes will apply) from the Friends of the WNC Nature Center; $2,000 is the maximum stipend one can receive.

Apprenticeships may be eligible for school credit, pending your school’s approval. The Nature Center can only host a limited number of apprentices, so the selection process is competitive.

For general information about Nature Center apprenticeship possibilities, view our apprenticeship descriptions.

Applications are available here. They will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. A background check authorization form must be submitted with the application.

Periodically, The Friends of the WNC Nature Center offer paid and unpaid internships in their Outreach Education, Marketing, and Membership Departments. If there are current opportunities available, they will be listed below.