Interested in Volunteering?

Stranding Volunteers are added to a call list where the Stranding Technicians may reach out when there is a stranding in the volunteer's area, requesting any assistance the Technicians may need including: taking photos of the animal for identification, staying on scene to observe the animal until the Technician arrives, educating members of the public about responsible wildlife viewing distances, crowd control  and assisting the Technician with heavy lifting. 

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must live within 15 minutes of the nearest beach (year-round)
•  Physical requirements:  Ability to lift 40lbs, ability to work outside in harsh weather conditions
• Fill out an application at our Sea Life Museum
• Attend an in-person training workshop in Brigantine, New Jersey
• Attend a recertification course in Brigantine, New Jersey every three years to stay current.

Education and Outreach Volunteers give short tours to guests in our Sea Life Museum located in Brigantine, NJ. Once fully-trained in the Museum, Education Volunteers may also be scheduled to assist with educational outreach at tabling events such as fairs, festivals and farmers markets.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must live within an hour of the MMSC
• Physical requirements: Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Must be comfortable answering questions from the public
• Have availability year-round
• Fill out an application at our Sea Life Museum
• Attend an in-person training workshop in Brigantine, New Jersey.

This internship is ONLY available in the SPRING semester during seal season. There are no animal rehabilitation internship opportunities available during the summer.

Interns will spend their time assisting our Stranding Technicians with the rehabilitation and rescue of marine mammals and sea turtles. The start date of this internship is dependent upon the arrival of the seals in our area, typically running from February through May.  This physically-demanding position requires interns who are hardworking and not afraid to get their hands dirty!

Duties Include:

• Cleaning and maintenance of all animal holding areas, equipment, and grounds
• Food preparation and performing daily feedings
• Assisting the Stranding Technicians in stranding response, medical procedures, necropsies, and releases
• Please note as a working rehabilitation hospital this position is hands-off with the animals and interns should expect no animal contact.
• Performing other duties and projects as assigned

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
•  Physical requirements:  Ability to lift 40lbs, ability to bend, stoop, and climb, and comfortable working  outside in harsh weather conditions . 
• Must be available for at least two (2) days a week throughout the entire season. Daily shifts are typically 4-5 hours long. Will work with Stranding Technicians prior to the start of the internship to develop a schedule that the intern is expected to maintain for the duration of the season.
• Please note that this internship continues through spring break, and tends to be the busiest time of the season for animals being admitted into the hospital. Therefore all interns are expected to maintain their normal shifts throughout spring break. 
• Must attend a Volunteer Training Workshop and Internship Orientation session.
• Must have own transportation (no lodging is provided)

All internships are unpaid. Students may apply with their college/university to receive college credit, but it is the student's responsibility to make sure all paperwork and requirements are met to receive credit. Both undergraduate and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION (CLOSED)

Application portal opens on October 1st for the Spring 2026 internship. Please check back on this page to submit your application.

Come help share our mission about who we are as an organization and the animals that we work with! Interns will spend their time giving guided tours in the Sea Life Museum, conducting public outreach at festivals and farmers markets, and facilitating special education events onsite and offsite. The ideal candidate will have a background in biology/marine biology, be comfortable with public speaking, and working with children.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age
• Physical requirements:  Ability to lift 40lbs, stand for long periods of time, comfortable working  outside in harsh weather conditions, and comfortable working  in and around water.
• Comfortable working with people of all ages, including children.
• Must be available for a minimum of three  (3)  days every week. Daily shifts are typically 4-5 hours long.
• Interns will work with the Volunteer Coordinator to develop a schedule at the beginning of the internship, which will run from June through the second week in August.
• Availability on weekends, weekdays, and holidays.
• Must have own transportation (no lodging is provided).

All internships are unpaid. Students may apply with their college/university to receive college credit, but it is the student's responsibility to make sure all paperwork and requirements are met to receive credit. Both undergraduate and recent graduates are encouraged to apply, as well as motivated high school graduates 18 years and older. 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION (CLOSED)

Please check back in the Spring of 2026 to apply for the Summer of 2026.