Volunteer Opportunities

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 with the animal until the technician arrives, 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.

Education and Outreach Volunteers give short tours to guests in our Sea Life Museum, and may be scheduled to assist with education programs, special events, 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.

Poolhouse Volunteers are fitted into our spring intern schedule, filling in any shifts that the interns are not scheduled for. Duties are similar to that of an on-site spring intern, assisting with cleanings of the animal pens, food preparation and assisting Technicians with animal feedings. Please note as a working rehabilitation hospital this position is hands-off with the animals and volunteers should expect no animal contact.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must live within one hour of the MMSC
• Successful completion of Stranding Technician Assistant internship or two or more years of prior MMSC volunteer experience in good standing.
•  Physical requirements:  Ability to lift 40lbs, ability to bend, stoop, and climb, and comfortable working  outside in harsh weather conditions .  
• Fill out an application at our Sea Life Museum
• Attend an in-person training workshop in Brigantine, New Jersey.

Come help share our mission about who we are as an organization and the animals that we work with at the Stranding Center! Interns will spend their time giving guided tours in our Sea Life Museum, conducting public outreach at festivals and farmers markets, facilitating our education programs on the beach and caring for fish and invertebrates in the Observation tank. 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. Shifts are typically 5 hours long.
• Interns will work with the Education and Volunteer Coordinator to develop a schedule at the beginning of the internship, which will run from late May through the second week in August.
• Availability on both 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 high school graduates 18 years and older. 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR SPRING 2023 HAS CLOSED.

Please check back next fall for instructions on how to submit an application for Summer 2024.

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 and will work with the Stranding Technicians to develop a schedule
• Must complete a minimum of 8 hours of Education projects/Sea Life Museum coverage during the internship, scheduled with the Education Coordinator, and not to overlap the assigned poolhouse schedule
• 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 PERIOD FOR SPRING 2023 HAS CLOSED.

Please check back next fall for instructions on how to submit an application for Spring 2024.