The work of Elephant Nature Foundation is helped made possible by the dedication and experience of our interns. Interested candidates for any position should have excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for helping animals, people, and the environment.
Each of the following internship positions requires a 60-day commitment. (A 30-day trial period will be successfully completed before the candidate is accepted for the remaining 30-day commitment.) We also have one-week to four-week volunteer opportunities available if a shorter stay would work better for you.
Please be advised that the needs of the Park change constantly in response to staffing levels, number of visitors, and many other factors. The tasks assigned to interns often change according to these factors, and we ask interns to be flexible about fulfilling different jobs according to their skills and interests, and according to Park needs. We hope to provide all interns with a positive and rewarding experience.
— Documentary Filmmaker —
Lek Chailert, Founder of Elephant Nature Park and Elephant Nature Foundation, has embarked upon a mission to research the lives of elephants throughout Asia and she's eager to learn more. Most importantly, she's eager to document more in order to raise awareness about the plight of the Asian elephant in Thailand and throughout the world.
We are searching for past visitors or volunteers to Elephant Nature Park with a talent in filmmaking, or for potential new visitors with documentary experience and a passion for conservation. The successful applicant should be interested in creating educational content for the Park. All film will be the sole property of Elephant Nature Foundation. Some travel opportunities may be available.
Individuals with professional experience in filmmaking, particularly if their experience is with documentaries and nature-related, are encouraged to apply. A background in children's or adult education is also useful. (Note: this is film/video experience, not experience with still photography.) Applicant must be very flexible, culturally sensitive, willing to take direction, able to rough it while traveling, and physically fit to hike safely with gear in mountainous areas.
Those interested in this voluntary 60-day position may apply via email to: FilmVolunteer@ElephantNatureFoundation.org with Documentary Filmmaker in the subject line. Please include a cover letter summarizing any relevant experience you may have, your resume, and links to samples of work available online. Due to the potential volume of emails we may receive in regards to this opportunity, we ask that applicants be patient with our response time and understand there is a chance only qualified individuals will receive a response.
— Night Bazaar Intern —
Elephant Nature Foundation is committed to spreading awareness about the elephant industry. We are looking for energetic, fun, outgoing, and informative people to fill a position in the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai. This is a high-profile street-side location with exposure to foreign and Thai visitors to Chiang Mai. A successful candidate will be full of people skills and committed to helping the elephants.
You will be assisted by Thai sales staff running the Elephant Nature Park Night Bazaar shop, and will report directly to Elephant Nature Foundation office staff. This volunteer position is intended to increase street-level awareness and disseminate information about Elephant Nature Foundation projects and about elephants in general. Sales promotion for Elephant Nature Park is a part of this, but all transactions will be handled by paid staff.
This is a part-time position in Chiang Mai with lots of free time to explore this interesting city. We intend to rotate the position through several volunteers, so many are encouraged to apply.
Those with ample experience doing grassroots activism and promotions are encouraged to apply via email, and on-site training at Elephant Nature Park can be provided. Otherwise, a minimum of one week's training as a paying volunteer with Elephant Nature Park may be required. A 30-day trial period with Elephant Nature Foundation will be successfully completed before the candidate is accepted for the remaining 30-day commitment.
Those interested in this voluntary 60-day position may apply via email to: Intern@ElephantNatureFoundation.org with Night Bazaar Intern in the subject line. Please include a copy of your resume and a cover letter summarizing any relevant experience you may have.
— Volunteer Coordinator —
Elephant Nature Park is a conservation organization located in Northern Thailand, run by award-winning conservationist Lek Chailert. We provide a shelter for abused and overworked elephants, where they are allowed to live out their days in a free-range setting. We also provide a positive tourism alternative, whereby we offer day visits to the Park along with overnight stays and volunteer opportunities which run from one to four weeks.
The role of Volunteer Coordinator alternates between leading volunteers in the field and completing office tasks in the city. This is an interesting and varied role, which requires a flexible personality with both administrative skills and a love of the outdoors.
On arrival in Thailand, you will spend a week in the Park assisting the current Volunteer Coordinator and gaining a thorough understanding of both the organization and the role. Training is provided during this mentoring period. During this time, you will learn about the Asian elephant and have time to enjoy yourself and take part in Park activities. The second week will see you stepping into the role and leading your first team of volunteers, organizing their workload, and ensuring the group remains motivated throughout their stay. Practical experience with maintenance work as well as strong leadership skills are advantageous.
Your third week will be based in our Chiang Mai office where you will carry out administrative tasks including: report writing, managing the volunteer inquiries and bookings, and basic planning for your next volunteer group. You will alternate between the office and the field each week.
This split position has been designed to offer you the maximum benefits of working for Elephant Nature Foundation. Working at the Park is a rewarding experience in and of itself, but we appreciate that our interns like to spend time in Chiang Mai too, where you will have access to the internet and the opportunity to explore the city and surrounding area.
This is a 60-day voluntary position and requires a passion for helping animals, people, and the environment. You will need to be able to ease into ongoing processes quickly and easily. Working in Thailand comes with challenges, but it is also a very interesting and exciting place to live. Basic food and accommodation are provided.
Note: Due to the overwhelming response, we are not accepting further applications for Volunteer Coordinator at this time.
— Park Host —
One of the goals of Elephant Nature Park is to raise awareness about the plight of Asian elephants in Thailand. We are currently seeking applications for individuals interested in leading tours for day visitors in our Park. The successful applicant should be a dynamic public speaker comfortable interacting with large groups of people, and should have a passion for educating others about animal and environmental issues. This is a challenging role and requires a person with great flexibility, enthusiasm, and energy. It is also a fantastic opportunity to hone your public speaking skills, to learn more about elephants, and to have a very unique cultural experience.
The role of Park Host is a 60-day voluntary position. Basic accommodation and food are provided at the Park, as well as the opportunity to spend days off in nearby Chiang Mai. You will need to be comfortable working in new environments, to be flexible to on-going changes, and to be highly safety-oriented. This role may also give you the opportunity to develop educational programming in our Chiang Mai office and to lead our upcoming family program.
Note: Due to the overwhelming response, we are not accepting further applications for Park Host at this time.
