ANNUAL SEASONAL POSITIONS – “PELICANS”

Star Island is a non-profit conference and retreat center based upon a mission of hospitality. Our vision is to create an environment that frees all who come (guests and employees alike) to renew spiritually, explore matters of consequence, and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be. One of the most important qualities we seek in potential staff is a willingness to contribute to realizing this vision – both in the way you serve our guests and in the way you participate in the community on Star Island.

We live in a close-knit, remote environment in which guests and employees typically share the spaces available for living and recreation more closely than in a traditional hospitality setting. For this reason, we value flexibility and adaptability in our employee community. Following health and safety regulations and community life guidelines is very important on Star Island and is a condition of employment there.

Star island is ten miles from mainland New Hampshire and generates/manages all its utilities (water, waste, power). The island has 34 buildings, including numerous historic hotel and guest housing buildings, utility buildings, and meeting spaces. The Corporation also operates a transportation system for staff that comprises contracted ferry boats and smaller Star Island work/transportation boats. The Corporation annually employs ~10 year-round staff and between 100 and 120 seasonal staff (“Pelicans,” largely young adults).

Star Island is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

 

Thanks to Anna Solo for the photos!

 

 

 

 

Work On A Star Too! $100 Bonus

Any Pelican who works Saturday, August 17 through Sunday, August 25, will receive a $100 bonus!

We are looking for applicants (18+ years of age) who can work at least a whole week (preferably longer) during the period of mid-August to mid-September.

Click here to begin filling out your application: End of Season Employment Application.

You can also download a hard copy of the application here.

We encourage all applicants to submit a supplementary cover letter and/or resume to accompany their application. The documents can be mailed to our office or emailed to office@starisland.org.

First-time applicants must complete two references for their application to be considered complete. References from family members are not accepted. Additional reference forms are encouraged but not required.

The average workday for a first-year employee is 6 - 8 hours (though this varies slightly from day to day), and the average work week consists of 6 days. In 2025, a first-year, non-supervisory level employee will make a wage of at least $10.00/hour.

Additionally, employees receive free room & board, valued at approximately $240 per week. This includes housing for the period of employment, three meals a day, ample snacks, and refreshments. Employees typically receive one day off per week, with additional or specific days to be worked out with your supervisor on island.

Click Here  for a brief description of each of the positions.

Click Here to learn more about our selection criteria.

Open Up: From April through mid-June, the staff prepares the island and its systems for the conference season. We begin with a very small staff and gradually expand throughout the open up period; relevant open up skills range from facilities maintenance, food service, and housekeeping.

Conference Season: The conference season runs from mid-June to mid-September. Preference is given to applicants who can work the full conference season. Exceptions to accommodate school schedules are possible only when stipulated at the time of hiring. If there is a change that will either shorten or lengthen your dates of employment, it is your responsibility to inform management as soon as you know of the change and understand that a significant change in your dates of availability may affect future employment.

End of Season: Starting in August, additional positions become available. Preference is given to applicants who can stay through mid-September, but all are encouraged to apply.

Close Up: From mid-September through October, a small group of staff shuts down the island systems and closes the buildings for the winter. Relevant close up skills range from facilities maintenance to housekeeping.

If you have never worked on Star Island, you must submit two reference forms. These could be from an employer/supervisor, professor, advisor, school guidance counselor, principal, teacher, minister, or religious education director, etc. References from family members will not be considered.  Additional peer or character references (beyond two required references) are encouraged.

Your application will be considered incomplete until both references have been received or postmarked by January 31st.

Please provide your references using the link to our online reference form: Star Island Employment Reference Form.

You can also download a hard copy of the reference form here.

 

Priority Application Deadline- January 27, 2025

Letter of interest regarding supervisory-level positions emailed to office@starisland.org (in addition to your application)- January 27, 2025

Reference Form Deadline (for new applicants)- January 31, 2025

Hiring Decisions Emailed to Applicants- by mid-March 2025

Please note: email communications regarding your application will be sent by our Office Manager, Kate Brady (kbrady@starisland.org).  Please be sure you add her email address to your safe senders list so you do not miss out on any messages regarding employment with Star Island.

Video: What it’s like to be a pelican

Video: What it means to be a pelican

Video: Q&A Session with Pelicans

Being a Pelican is more than a summer job on Star Island– it is about joining a community of interesting, talented, and hard working individuals. We seek staff members who will commit to doing a good job, whether that job involves providing direct services to conferees (such as making beds, cooking food, or working at the front desk) or serving on our support crews (such as repairing trucks, painting buildings, or running our wastewater treatment facility). The powerful Pelican community that arises each season is an outgrowth of common goals, hard work, and mutual support.

A Pelican on Star Island is both a worker and a member of the island community. We share a small island with people who come for rest and relaxation. Our job is to make a good week on Star possible for our guests.

https://starisland.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pel-Hiring-Flyer-2024.png

Thanks to Anna Solo for the photos!

#pelicansarepelicans

Hear from past Pelicans about their experiences on Star Island:

Why You Should Become a Pelican

A Pelican Summer: Music Director

A Pelican Summer: Bellhop Supervisor

Pelicans Take Flight (pg 38)

Share our hiring flyer with friends or post it in your community to spread the word about jobs on Star Island.

 

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Pelican for 2025! My summers as a Pelican, the affectionate term used for our summer employees, were some of the most enriching and enjoyable experiences of my life. It is always rewarding to see Pelicans bond with our guests, the island, and each other in ways that can last a lifetime.

So, what makes a successful Pelican? In addition to normal qualifications, like being reliable, responsible, and hard-working, we seek candidates (18 years or older) who will be especially safe, cooperative, and respectful, and who can thrive in the close working and living quarters of our remote setting.

Beyond these essential attributes, we will be strongly focused on candidates who would contribute to our mission of hospitality and participate in forming a healthy island-wide community.

We appreciate your consideration of what we are looking for in our Pelicans. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

 

Sincerely,

Joe Watts

Chief Executive Officer