Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! We have volunteer opportunities in our Education, Gift Shop and Research Departments.

Education volunteers devote their time to interpretation within our gallery and pavilion, assisting with groups and attending outreach events. Education volunteers also play a large role in night time Turtle Walks and Nest Walks.

Gift Shop volunteers dedicate their time to answering phone calls and questions and providing customer service.  They also assist with stocking and straightening merchandise.

Research volunteers help monitor human impacts and lighting on our beaches which have nesting sea turtles and endangered shorebirds.  Research volunteers may also have opportunities to advance towards working with our sea turtle nesting patrol after dedicating one shift per week for an entire season to our human impacts team and proving to be an asset to our research department.

Our citizen science endeavors include our Marine Debris Initiative which can be completed at one’s own pace! Check out the Marine Debris portion of our website to learn more about its effects and how our volunteers are making a difference.  Citizen science volunteers will soon have opportunities to help with invasive plant removal on Jekyll Island as well.

Click Here to view all of our volunteer position descriptions!

Please note:

  • All volunteers are responsible for a $25 fee to cover training and background checks – Effective September 2011.
  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and if they are under the age of 18, they must have parental/guardian consent and may work in our Education Department.

What are the benefits?

  • Monthly Jekyll Island parking pass
  • 10% discount in our gift shop
  • Training on sea turtle biology, conservation and rehabilitation
  • The chance to work with a team of passionate and dedicated individuals

What are the minimum age requirements?

  • At least 16 years old (must have parental consent if under 18)
  • Must be 18 or older for any research volunteer opportunities

What are the commitment requirements?

  • Volunteers are expected to complete at least two shifts per month
  • Shifts are typically four hours in length and are scheduled from 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm
  • Volunteers must be available for at least three months due to the large time investment to properly train volunteers.

The Volunteer Process:

Step 1: Apply through clicking on our online application system above. Please fill the application out completely and let us know why you are interested in joining the GSTC!

Step 2: We will contact you via email to let you know the date of the next available training and to answer any questions you may have. Our volunteer handbook and position descriptions will also be shared with you at this time.

Step 3: Attend our fun and educational Volunteer Orientation! This one day orientation is an overview of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, our staff and sea turtle species. You will get an in-depth look at our center including a Behind the Scenes Tour. During orientation, you will have a chance to explore your options as to what departments you would like to volunteer with.

Step 4: Shadow an educator or an established volunteer in our gallery and pavilion for one four hour shift to learn more about the day-to-day functioning of our center. During this time, you will also complete a data sheet that walks you through each of the exhibits in our gallery.

Step 5: The final step before becoming an official volunteer, is to take and pass our sea turtle knowledge skills assessment. Once you pass, you will be eligible to volunteer in any department of the GSTC. Eligibility to work in all departments does not ensure you will automatically be able to start in the department of your choice. Each department has specific additional trainings and wait lists for various volunteer opportunities.

 

 

If you are unable to meet the minimum time requirements at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, please considering volunteering with our partner The Jekyll Island Foundation.