Hospitality & Visitor Experience Intern

Location: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah

Compensation: $16.00 per hour

Time Commitment: 40 hours per week for 13 weeks (5/17/26-8/15/26)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: The Best Friend's Mission is to do nothing short of making history by bringing about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Our goal is that every animal shelter in every community in the country be no kill. We're leading this movement by running lifesaving community programs, providing support and training for animal shelters and rescue groups, and mobilizing community members on behalf of pets in need across the country.

The communities we partner with are diverse and multicultural - and we want that to be reflected within our organization. We welcome our employees' unique wisdom, special skills, passion, and whole self to the workplace. We believe that our differences are pivotal to uniting the movement and achieving our mission. Our hiring practices are based on kindness and treating all living things, people, animals and the planet, as we would like to be treated. We encourage candidates who can add to our culture by bringing their fresh perspectives and unique lived experiences to apply.

CULTURE STATEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY:

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Visitor Experience Intern reports to Chelsea Thebeau, Manager, Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, and will receive regular supervision and feedback. This internship will include opportunities to shadow staff in all parts of Visitor Experience, including hospitality, tours/tourism, cafe, and volunteer engagement. The minimum time commitment for the Visitor Experience Internship is 40 hours per week at $16.00 an hour for 13 weeks. This is an on-site internship at the Best Friends Sanctuary and the Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile in Kanab, Utah.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet Roadhouse guests in a warm and inviting manner, answer inquiries via phone/email, and provide information on Sanctuary and local attractions, tours, and services.

• Oversee daily Roadhouse & Mercantile operations including checking-in/out of guests, assisting guests with recommendations, requests and local activities, processing of payments and other guest-oriented tasks as needed. Resolve guest issues and ensure complete guest satisfaction.

• Communicate with housekeeping and maintenance departments to ensure prompt responses to guests' needs.

• Assist with merchandising and maintaining an attractive retail space in the Mercantile and Sanctuary gift shop.

• Perform routine manual tasks to maintain cleanliness, sanitary conditions, and appearance inside and outside of guest rooms and common areas while also interacting regularly with the guest, their accompanying pets, and other Roadhouse and Best Friends team members.

• Support Welcome Center operations including but not limited to, answering phone calls, scheduling tours, handling of animals, and receiving donations.

• Shadow cafe staff to learn basic meal prep and catering, host duties, event venue set up and booking.

• Assist with volunteer recruitment, scheduling and management, event coordination and promotion and data management.

• Participate in community events to promote the Sanctuary, animal adoptions, and spread awareness of the Best Friends' mission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Learn the basics of running a boutique hotel in a tourism-driven community.

• Gain skills in communicating with visitors, giving engaging and interactive tours, and creating positive volunteer experiences.

• Practice and improve collaboration, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

• Develop an understanding of animal welfare and Best Friends no-kill mission.

• Individual goals and projects can be adjusted to the intern's interests.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong desire to work in the hospitality or tourism industry. Previous experience preferred but not required.

• Proficient computer skills are required. Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Google Docs are preferred.

• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback, and a commitment to learning and improvement.

• Professional work ethics and independent time management skills.

• Commitment to communication, cooperation, and collaboration.

• Comfortable with or open to developing public speaking skills.

• Resourcefulness, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to:

• Routinely lift up to 60 pounds and perform daily strenuous and/or repetitive activities including sweeping, mopping, bending, stooping, lifting, reaching, walking, and working at computers (typing, hand motions).

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.

Must be comfortable with:

• Potential contact with hay, dust and other allergens.

• Interaction with animals of all kinds; personal or Sanctuary owned.

• Potential exposure to animal injury, illness, and/or death.

Must have reliable transportation to get to, from, and around the Sanctuary. There is no public transportation in Kanab.

Best Friends employees may only hold one compensated position at any time. Current employees are not allowed to hold another position and this internship position at the same time. If a current employee would like to apply for this internship, the employee would be required to resign from their primary position, with no guarantee of re-employment, if the employee wanted to accept this position.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.