A Pelican on Star Island is both a worker and a member of the island community. Learn more about this experience by exploring the resources below:

Video: WMUR Feature "The Star Island Pelicans"

Video: Snapshot of a Pelican Summer

Video: Q&A Session with Pelicans

Testimonials from past staff members about their experiences on Star Island:

“Over the past three summers on Star, I have learned so much about myself, both personally and professionally. The experience has not only helped me grow as an individual, but also introduced me to some of my closest friends. The supportive and inclusive environment on Star has allowed me to connect with others in a meaningful way and has reinforced the importance of community in shaping who I am today.” - JJ Drummond, first year 2022

"I look forward to being back on the island every year. I love working at a beautiful place and in a caring, accepting community. The friendships I've made here continue long after our seasonal contracts have ended." - Leo Abraham, first year 2021

"At Star, since you are living with the people that you work with, you get to know them really well. Everybody on the island is so supportive of each other, and wants to see each other thrive." - Jamie Polson, first year 2019

"Over the past few summers I've learned countless unique and important life skills, been on incredible adventures, had more fun than I ever thought possible, formed my most meaningful friendships, and become a better version of myself, all while calling a beautiful and historic little island my home" - Hannah Swomley, first year 2013

"My hope is for future generations of Pels to discover a similar love and awe that I experienced during my time there." - Carla Diaz, first year 2010

The average workday for a first-year employee is 6 - 9 hours (this varies from day to day), and the average work week consists of 6 days. Employees typically receive one day off per week, with additional or specific days to be worked out with your supervisor. Employees receive room & board which includes housing, all meals, ample snacks and refreshments, wifi, electricity and other utilities, and boat transportation to and from the mainland.  Additionally in 2025, a first-year, non-supervisory level employee will make a wage of at least $10.00/hour.

Click here for answers to additional frequently asked questions

Essential functions for ALL island jobs include the ability to act in a safe, mature, tactful, careful, and responsible way; and the ability to act in a manner that reflects the close-knit nature of our island community. Positions are typically physical in nature and requirements include but are not limited to lifting baggage and freight up to 50 pounds at a time. All employees are responsible for following all health and safety protocols, fulfilling assigned Fire Watch duties, and participating in the weekly clean up of staff residential areas.

Waitrae/Dish Crew serve three meals daily to the guests, as well as set up and clean the dining hall. They also wash dishes and pots manually and with the use of the dish machine three times daily.

The Kitchen Crew helps prepare the food for guests and employees and maintain and clean the kitchen. The Kitchen Crew receive a $1/hour pay increase based on the hours and responsibilities associated with this position.  The Bakery Crew assists the Kitchen Crew by preparing all the baked goods from breads to desserts.

Snack Bar and Gosport Grill Attendants operate the island’s Snack Bar and Gosport Grill, providing service to the guests and visitors of the island through customer service, cash handling, and food preparation.

The Front Desk Crew is responsible for recording guest charges, generating guest bills, receiving payment, reconciling transactions, and assisting with boat schedules and logistics. Bell Hops are the first responders in emergencies, assist guests, deliver hot water to rooms, assist with luggage, and keep the front porch, lobby, and public areas clean. Together the Front Desk and Bell Hops are a central resource of island information for conferees, staff, and day visitors.

Conference Services provide conferences with any materials needed in public spaces. These services range from audio/visual equipment set ups to keeping all public spaces and restrooms stocked and clean.

Housekeeping Crew cares for all guest rooms by making beds, sweeping, dusting, emptying waste baskets, cleaning and stocking restrooms. Housekeepers also work in the laundry room, washing hotel linens and staff clothing.

Maintenance/Carpentry/Paint Crew is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and repairing the island’s plumbing, electrical, fuel, and fire safety systems, and equipment. Additionally, they are responsible for the upkeep of our island vehicles and buildings, and for woodworking projects, as well as for the interior and exterior painting projects on the island.

Night Crew conducts hourly safety patrols throughout the night, does wastewater lab testing, monitors the island’s infrastructure, provides customer service to guests, keeps public areas clean and disinfected, and prepares guest bills. Night Crew receive a $1/hour pay increase based on the hours and responsibilities associated with this position.

The Sustainable Systems Coordinator works with the Environmental Services Assistant and the Island Gardener and Groundskeeper to manage the island’s compost facility, offer environmental programs for kid’s groups, lead sustainability tours for island guests, oversee the island’s sustainability initiatives, and act as stewards of the island’s gardens and landscape. Wastewater/Water Quality staff are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the island’s water and wastewater treatment facilities.

Truck/Waterfront Crew is responsible for transport of freight and supplies, responsible for the safety of the waterfront area by attending to conferees and staff in the swimming area, assisting with the docking of boats, and establishing a positive relationship with guests visiting the island for the day. Truck/Waterfront Crew members must have a current lifeguard certification.

The Rounders are all-purpose workers who fill in on certain crews to cover for days off and complete special projects.  The Babysitter/Rounder serves as a Rounder with a specific portion of their time devoted to childcare responsibilities. The Art Barn Coordinator/Rounder leads art workshops for adults or children, as well as provides support for any conference planned art activities, and maintain cleanliness and inventory in art barn, as well as working shifts as a Rounder. The IT Specialist/Rounder helps with set up and maintenance of the island’s IT equipment and phone systems, responds to network and user issues, as well as supports other crews.

The Naturalist and Assistant Naturalist are responsible for running the Rutledge Marine Lab, including providing tours in birding, botany, geology, and low tide, stocking all the tanks in the lab, and working with children of all ages.  The Vaughn Cottage Programs Coordinator is responsible for conducting educational programs for conferees of all ages and day visitors, assisting with the Vaughn Cottage collection and exhibits, and greeting visitors to the museum.  The Music Director provides conferences with the musical assistance they require. This can vary from working with a conference choir, playing the organ for evening chapels, playing piano for talent shows and/or the grand march, and working with the staff community to develop the weekly variety show for the guests.

The Island Administrator is the central point of contact for on-island purchases and cash management, assists with payroll, employment paperwork, and various administrative tasks. The Registrar’s Assistant provides support to the Island Registrar in all aspects of registration, billing, and customer service to ensure an exceptional experience for our guests. They also facilitate all necessary arrangements for our personal retreat guests, from helping them prepare for their stay to making the most of their visit. The Residential Life Coordinator helps to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for staff, helps organize off-work social and educational events, participates in orientation of new staff, coordinates cleaning of staff public spaces, assists with the fire watch program, and is involved in a variety of other tasks related to staff off-duty time. The Volunteer Coordinator facilitates necessary arrangements for island volunteers including working with supervisors and managers on coordinating and supervising projects, facilitating island transport and housing of volunteers, time tracking, and appreciation of volunteers.

The Shops on Star Manager is a supervisory position that entails managing the bookstore, gift shop, and lobby store. The position involves supervising the Shops on Star Sales Associate, managing volunteers, overseeing all aspects of retail sales, cash handling, and managing receipts. The Shops on Star Manager is a salaried position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week from approximately the third week of May to the third week of September. The Shops on Star Sales Associate reports to the Shops on Star Manager and supports retail operations of the bookstore, gift shop, and lobby store. The Shops on Star Sales Associate is an hourly position requiring 35-40 hours per week for approximately 10-12 weeks from the second week of June to the end of August.

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

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. Apply through the general application in December/January. 

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. To apply, look for the application to go live in June/July 2025. 

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. Conference Season and End of Season employees have the opportunity to apply in August 2025.