By Jesse Katz-Klug, Volunteer Coordinator
Six animal husbandry volunteers in their dish gloves and slickers smile for a photo during a sunny summer shift. NOAA Permit #24359.
Interested in a meaningful way to get involved?
SR3 is excited to offer expanded volunteer opportunities for anyone (18+) to join - no prior experience required!
Whether you're eager to train for a hands-on role in animal husbandry or prefer to support our mission behind the scenes, there’s a place for you. Each position plays a vital role with unique requirements to ensure the safety and success of your shift. Please note that all roles are currently in-person only.
If you wish to join the SR3 Volunteer Class of 2025 in any capacity, you will need to submit an application (if you haven’t done so already), and complete our orientation by watching a video and confirming your interest through an online form by Monday, April 7th, 2025. If it is after April 7th, you can still fill out an application in order to get all the communications to join us next year!
Ready to make a difference? Explore the many ways you can contribute and become part of the SR3 team.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Animal Husbandry volunteers are key to our patients' recovery during their stay at SR3’s SeaLife Rescue Center in Des Moines, WA. Volunteers can expect to clean equipment and enclosures, prepare and deliver food to patients, and observe and occasionally assist with medical procedures. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in marine animal husbandry, wildlife veterinary care, or learning about marine species through direct observation.
MARINE MAMMAL STEWARDS
Marine Mammal Stewards is cooperatively run by SR3 and MaST Center Aquarium. These volunteers run all-ages activities on the beach to inspire change for a healthier ocean, largely in the marina and Redondo Beach areas of Des Moines. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, and like talking to people.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Education & Outreach volunteers will share SR3’s work from a booth during community events and festivals, talk about marine animals to members of the public, and communicate conservation actions that benefit marine wildlife. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, like talking to people, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.
DIGITAL MEDIA
Digital Media volunteers expand SR3’s sphere of influence by collecting the images, sounds, and videos that we use to share our story with the world. Volunteers will collect media around the Rescue Center, during events, and at patient releases for use on SR3’s social media, newsletter, and print materials. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in photography and videography, have experience with editing visual and auditory assets, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
A sealife hospital contains a lot of moving parts - and the more a part moves, the more maintenance it needs. Life Support Systems volunteers help keep our physical infrastructure functioning so that the tents, enclosures, pipes, pumps, filters, and equipment all work to provide a healthy environment for the marine creatures in SR3’s care to recover. ✅ Great for volunteers who are looking to enter a career in life-sciences, are interested in engineering and construction, or like solving problems and working with their hands.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction volunteers ensure our patients have the space and safety to heal by improving our site with facility upgrades and additions. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in engineering and construction or like solving problems and working with their hands.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Administrative volunteers support SR3 through various projects and tasks at our facility in Des Moines. These volunteers cover our phone line, help with merchandise orders, fundraising, data collection and input, and other administrative projects. ✅ Great for volunteers who want to grow their non-profit management skills, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.
Ready to take the next step?
Each volunteer role has specific commitments and shift minimums during our peak season (June - October). To help you find the best fit, complete position descriptions - including responsibilities, shift requirements, training timelines, benefits, and more - are available on Volunteer Impact.
If you have questions, ideas, or just want to connect, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Jesse Katz-Klug, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@sr3.org.