Grandfather Mountain to hold job and volunteer fair Tuesday, Jan. 20
LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain is inviting folks to take their careers to new heights – literally.
The Linville, N.C.-based nonprofit nature park and preserve, owned and operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hiring in multiple departments for the 2026 season and beyond. Seasonal and year-round positions are available, as well as a few summer internships, offering mountains of opportunities for job- and career-seekers.
The organization is kicking it all off with the Job and Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 3-5 p.m. The event will take place in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery’s Classroom in the Clouds. Eight departments from across the mountain will be represented. Attendees will be able to chat with staff members from each department, learn about Grandfather and the open positions on the mountain and enter to win door prizes.
The event will also provide the chance for those interested in being a volunteer to hear more about this program, for which the nature park is currently recruiting.
“The Job and Volunteer Fair is a great opportunity to learn more about everything we do here at Grandfather Mountain,” said Tommy Oakley, vice president of operations for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “All eight departments are excited to make connections with people and share their openings, from volunteer spots to internships and more.”
The park is seeking staff to assist with its slate of expanded programming and experiences for guests, as well as the work it takes to operate the nature preserve on a daily basis. Grandfather Mountain is extending such opportunities for positions in many departments, most of them seasonal unless otherwise noted. Seasonal employment runs from roughly mid-February through mid-November (though this time frame will vary depending on the department), and applicants of all ages, including high school and college students, are welcome to apply.
Positions are currently available in the following departments:
- Education (seasonal and internship)
- Entrance Gate
- Food and Beverage (seasonal and full-time)
- Habitats
- Maintenance (full-time)
- Natural Resources (seasonal and internship)
- Parking and Logistics/Operations
- Retail
Aside from the powerful purpose of the organization and the park being one of the most scenic workplaces in the world, Grandfather Mountain has a mile-high list of employment perks: competitive pay; a friendly, fun environment; free access to approximately 20 area attractions, including destinations in Western North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; employee discounts and more.
“I have experienced firsthand the passion and energy each department brings to the mountain, having started my Grandfather career in natural resources and also worked in habitats and education,” said Jesse Pope, president and CEO of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We truly offer something for everyone, and the Job and Volunteer Fair is a great way for folks to get involved.”
It is an exciting time to join the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation team as the park continues to add new learning spaces, programming and experiences for guests. Coming in March of this year, Yonni’s Clubhouse, an interactive conservation education center for young explorers, will further expand the mountain’s growing Conservation Campus.
In June 2022, the park opened the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, a building with 10,000 square feet of education space, including state-of-the-art museum exhibits, three classrooms and an ADA-accessible auditorium, as well as enhanced food-service facilities to allow for catering and serving educational groups and expanded capacity for hosting conferences, seminars, receptions and community events.
As a nonprofit, Grandfather Mountain strives to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example.
Those with an interest in learning more about job and volunteer opportunities at Grandfather Mountain for the 2026 season, as well as for year-round roles, are invited to attend the Jan. 20 Job and Volunteer Fair. The event will run from 3-5 p.m., with 2:45 p.m. being the earliest that attendees will be able to enter the park. No advance registration is required to attend the event. Casual or business casual attire is welcome, and bringing resume copies to share is encouraged.
To learn more and see the positions currently open, visit www.grandfather.com/jobs.
To learn more about the organization’s volunteer program, visit www.grandfather.com/volunteer.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.