SR3- Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, & Research

Administrative Volunteers act as critical support for the logistical operations of SR3.  These volunteers cover our phone line, help with fundraising, data collection and input, merchandise + shipping, and other administrative projects. This behind-the-scenes work is what guarantees SR3 has the support to make response, rehabilitation, and research possible. By becoming an Administration & Fundraising volunteer, you will ensure SR3’s continued success from our office at the Sealife hospital in the Des Moines marina.

Husbandry volunteers are required to complete three, 4-hour shifts at the Sealife hospital per month from June through October. 

Animal Husbandry Volunteers are key to our patients' recovery during their stay at SR3’s Sealife hospital. While medical interventions like surgeries and treatments are flashy and certainly important, it is keeping animals clean and well fed that truly gets them back out into the wild. By becoming an Animal Husbandry volunteer, you will become a critical part of this important work here at our facility in the Des Moines marina.

Shift schedule (7 days a week):

• Morning = 7:00 - 11:00
• Midday = 10:45 - 2:45
• Afternoon = 2:30 - 6:30
• Evening = 6:00 - 10:00
  
  

2025 Timeline

1. We will release our Orientation Video on Monday, March 17th.

2. If you wish to join the SR3 Volunteer Class of 2025 in any capacity, you will need to watch the video and confirm your interest through an online form by Monday, April 7th. 

3. As our most competitive + robust program, we select our Animal Husbandry cohort first. 

4. If you complete your Orientation tasks and select a top choice of Animal Husbandry, you will automatically be entered into the lottery. 

5. We will announce the results of the lottery by EOD Friday, April 11th. 

6. If you are selected for Animal Husbandry, you will then be prompted to sign up for a training session. Training will be one 4-hour session here at the facility - with options scheduled on a variety of days and times between May 10th - 21st. 

7. Once you attend a training, you will be allowed to sign up for shifts in Husbandry Season, which formally starts on June 1st. 

8. Complete 3 shifts per month from June → October

9. Graduate + Advance to next level (if you wish)!

*If you complete all the requirements but are unfortunately not selected through the lottery - a couple of things happen:

• First, you are put on a priority list for the following year. Historically, folks have only had to wait one year. 

• If you are interested, you are allowed to commit to any of the other roles in the meantime; those trainings intentionally happen later in the season. 

  • *Digital Media is the exception - you will need to submit specific application materials to be considered for this role.

  • Requirements vary by role - see position descriptions for full details.

2025 Applications Due: Wednesday, May 14th 

While SR3’s mission is local, the factors that affect our ability to preserve the health of marine life reach beyond the Pacific Northwest. Digital Media volunteers expand SR3’s sphere of influence by collecting the images and sounds that we use to share our story with the world. Help us capture the content that will captivate our supporters!

Minimum of two (2+ hour) shifts per month from July → October

APPLICATION & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Interested volunteers must submit a portfolio of at least four pieces of media meeting these criteria:

1. An animal or group of animals
2. People at work or in motion
3. A human influenced landscape such as a building or road
4. A landscape with minimal human influence such as a mountain or forest
   
   One image has to be square, one has to be horizontal, one has to be vertical and one has to be a video.
   
   Training includes attendance at a 2-hour virtual training in late June, and one shadow-shift with the Communications Specialist at the Sealife Hospital.
   
   

Primary Duties:

• Staff booths at community events, travel to share stories with schools and clubs throughout the Salish Sea, and welcome guests to the Sealife hospital on the Des Moines waterfront.
• Work to save complete ecosystems by connecting the community to the waters they share with marine creatures. 

2025 Timeline:

• Ed & Out Training takes place in June
  • Commitment = 4+ hours per month July - Oct

Primary Duties:

A sealife hospital contains a lot of moving parts, and the more a part moves, the more maintenance it needs. 

• Help keep our physical infrastructure functioning and help improve our site with facility upgrades and additions.
  
• The tents, enclosures, pipes, pumps, fence, and facility all keep the marine creatures in SR3’s care safe from the elements so they have the space and safety to heal.
  
• Projects may depend on experience.

Timeline:

• Rolling basis, as projects come up or get funded

Primary Duties:

• Inform boaters, beach-goers, tidepoolers, and other marine water-users of best practices when they spot marine wildlife
• Run activities with beach-goers to promote marine mammal stewardship, either independently or with other volunteers, interns or staff
• Work with all ages to discover life history, ecology and anatomy of marine animals in the Pacific Northwest
• Educate folks on what to do if they see a marine mammal they are concerned about
• Act as a resource for beach-goers if they have questions about marine wildlife they see along the shore

Commitment

• Training occurs in early June
• Shifts take place at Des Moines Beach Park and/or Redondo Beach
• Minimum of two (3 hour) shifts per month from June → September