Get Involved
Volunteers are at the heart of every nonprofit.
Volunteers are at the heart of every nonprofit. They form an integral group that is committed to the success of our mission.Due to the large number of interested volunteers and the great suggestions from past and current volunteers, STR has updated the volunteer opportunities’ descriptions, guidelines, and policies. Please review each opportunity and its description carefully. As always, thank you for helping Sea Turtle Recovery. It is because of individuals like you that our small nonprofit is able to save sea turtles. You are deeply appreciated.
Due to the large number of interested volunteers and the great suggestions from past and current volunteers, STR has updated our volunteer opportunities’ descriptions, guidelines, and policies. Please review each opportunity and its description carefully. You can apply in any or all areas as they become available. ALL opportunities are for individuals 18 years or older. If you are a past volunteer and have not volunteered or offered to volunteer with us in the last 12 months, you must reapply to be kept current in our database. As always, thank you for helping Sea Turtle Recovery. It is because of individuals like you that our small nonprofit is able to save sea turtles. You are deeply appreciated.
Interns assist the staff with daily operations at the hospital. Internships are unpaid and Interns are responsible for their own room, board and transportation. Please note that STR is committed to rehabilitation and protection of our patients; there is limited to no interaction with the sea turtles to ensure their successful release back to the wild.
STR does not currently have opportunities for those under the age of 18. However, it is Sea Turtle Recovery’s strong desire to have several programs for children, and these programs are already designed and prepared! Currently, funding limitations are preventing this initiative, and we are working hard to find a grant or funder to cover this expense. We’re not giving up, but until this occurs, there are some other ways that you can help.
Thank you for your interest in Sea Turtle Recovery. STR is a very small, new organization that is working diligently to grow our support base and secure funding. Currently, we do not have any employment opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities
The application period is now closed.
The Next Volunteer Training Session will be Fall 2024
Please check this page for updates in late summer.
Any changes to the application availability will be updated here
if/when they become available.
Please do not email or call regarding openings.
Due to the overwhelming number of individuals interested volunteering, we can no longer respond to inquires.
Due to the large number of interested volunteers and the great suggestions from past and current volunteers, STR has updated the volunteer opportunities’ descriptions, guidelines, and policies below. Please review each opportunity and its description carefully. You can apply in any or all areas as they become available. ALL opportunities are for individuals 18 years or older. If you are a past volunteer (prior to 2022) and have not volunteered or offered to volunteer with us in the last three months, you must reapply to be kept current in our database. As always, thank you for helping Sea Turtle Recovery. It is because of individuals like you that our small nonprofit is able to save sea turtles. You are deeply appreciated.
Orange Star Volunteers:
These Volunteers observe and monitor sea turtle’s breathing and swim patterns for one hour shifts. This position is on a “when needed” basis that is determined by our patients’ condition. This volunteer must be willing to work without access to a cell phone or other electronic device for the entire volunteer time. You must be able to write and document data, sit or stand for long periods, have great observation skills, work independently and follow instructions easily, be willing to work varied hours both day and night, have reliable transportation, and permanently reside within 1 hour of STR’s facility.
This position is CLOSED. Do not apply for this position.
Yellow Star Volunteers:
Yellow Star Volunteers must be comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people, capable of working independently, willing to speak on a microphone when staff deems that it is necessary, be friendly and courteous, and be willing to learn about sea turtles. These volunteers will assist us by speaking in the public area of our facility for 1 to 2 hrs at a time. You must be able to work 2 days a month for a period not less than 6 months. This position requires you to purchase a Sea Turtle Recovery shirt to wear while representing STR in our education space (options will be available at the orientation).
This position is CLOSED. Do not apply for this position.
Green Star Volunteers:
These Volunteers will help us at summer Festivals and before and during our events. Are you a crafty fun person that enjoys socializing? This volunteer position is for you! Tasks will vary but may include talking to the public, setting up tables, assisting with various pre-event activities, etc. Ability to work in adverse weather is a plus. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
This position is CLOSED. Do not apply for this position.
Pink Star Volunteers:
This is a volunteer based on a specific task, and the information changes frequently. A pink star volunteer is a call out to an individual that may have specific skills or talents that STR is currently seeking. This section changes frequently, so please check back often.
This position is CLOSED. Do not apply for this position.
Blue Star Volunteers:
These Volunteers will help us with laundry, food preparation, mopping, scrubbing, feeding, and related tasks. You must be comfortable working around and cleaning knives, be able to lift and carry 20lbs, be able to work around shellfish, squid, crabs, and other seafood, and have reliable transportation. You must be 18 years or older. This position is from December until March each year. Volunteers who have worked as a Blue Star in the past will have first choice of volunteer shifts each month. Please note that there is little to no interaction with the sea turtles. STR is committed to keeping our sea turtles wild and ready for release.
This position is CLOSED. Do not apply for this position. Due to the overwhelming number of individuals interested in this position, we can no longer respond to letters, requests, resumes, email inquiries, or blue star applications at this time.
Internship Opportunities for Summer 2024
The 2024 Summer Internship application process is open from April 1st to April 23rd.
Please read all requirements thoroughly before applying.
For 2024 interns, please submit your cover letter and resume before April 23rd following the instructions below. The selection will be narrowed based solely on the cover letter and resume. Final selection will be based on follow-up interviews the last week of April.
Certain physical demands must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this internship. While performing the duties of this internship, the intern is regularly required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The Intern is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The intern must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this internship include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. You must be a recent college graduate or currently enrolled in college and have at least three 7 hour days per week available to work at the hospital. You must be willing to work a majority of weekends and have a valid driver’s license. You must complete a sea turtle project during the internship.
Internships are unpaid and Interns are responsible for their own room, board and transportation.
Interns will be assisting the staff with daily operations at the hospital. Animal care duties will include general cleaning, disinfecting of tanks, cleaning equipment, diet preparation (handling raw seafood), record keeping, facility maintenance, water quality testing, and other tasks as assigned.
Education and retail sales will be approximately 70% of the internship. Responsibilities may include assisting with environmental education programs, presenting on-site programs, assisting with festivals, and more. Interns will give public presentations to zoo visitors in Sea Turtle Recovery’s public space to educate them about Sea Turtle Recovery, sea turtles and conservation. Interns will also work a large amount of time in our gift shop booth to raise funds (retail sales) for our conservation efforts.
Other responsibilities include assisting with office duties and other tasks as assigned.
Please note that STR is committed to rehabilitation and protection of our patients; there is limited to no interaction with the sea turtles to ensure their successful release back to the wild. Approximately 70% of tasks will be in our public education area. All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to volunteer@ seaturtlerecovery.org. You must send both documents; incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please type in the email subject line: Summer INTERNSHIP 2024. Allow at least 14 days for us to respond. Thank you for your interest in our program.
Junior Volunteers/Programs
It is Sea Turtle Recovery’s strong desire to have several programs for children, and these programs are already designed and prepared! Currently, funding limitations are preventing this initiative, and we are working hard to find a grant or funder to cover this expense. We’re not giving up, but until this occurs, please see below for ways that you can help:
1) Speak to your New Jersey based teacher or troop leader about collecting donations such as exam gloves, postage stamps, Home Depot gift cards, CVS gift cards, dawn dish soap, paper towel, sensitive skin laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, and new or slightly used beach towels. We can pick these up on a scheduled visit and give a program to your class!
2) Recycle, throw away trash properly, and don’t release balloons into the air! These three things are vital to ensure sea turtles survival, and you can help us every day by doing these tasks.
3) Come to our World Sea Turtle Day Celebration! This event is designed just for you. We have sea turtle games, sea turtle displays, free face painting, and more all inside the Turtle Back Zoo. This year’s event will be July 26th.
Employment Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in Sea Turtle Recovery. STR is a very small, new organization that is working diligently to grow our support base and secure funding. Currently, we do not have any employment opportunities. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
Due to the overwhelming number of individuals interested in working for STR, we can no longer respond to unsolicited inquiries or requests for employment.
