Full-time year-round Lead Sailing Instructor

Mystic Seaport Museum•Stonington, CT

About The Position

Mystic Seaport Museum is seeking a dynamic person to help manage and deliver programs at our Sailing Center, a comprehensive sail education facility housed within the largest maritime museum in the United States. Utilizing a fleet of Dyer Dhows, c420s, and Prams –comprising over 70 vessels in total– the Sailing Center hosts spring and fall sailing classes for children, teens and adults, comprehensive day camp programming in the summer, and racing series in the spring-fall, among other programs. The position of Lead Sailing Instructor is a year-round position that encompasses sailing and maritime instruction, curricular development, the supervision of physical infrastructure and maintenance, and staff management and mentorship. The Sailing Center’s Lead Sailing Instructor will, in conjunction with the Supervisor of Sailing Programs, manage all aspects of the Sailing Center’s programming, with an emphasis on the maintenance of all Sailing Center vessels and property, and the development and implementation of our sailing curriculum. For information about our sailing programs visit https://www.mysticseaport.org/learn/sailing/community-sailing/ This position has a preferred start date of April 1, 2026 (negotiable).

Requirements

At least 21 years of age
Previous sail instruction experience?
Experience driving powerboats in an instructional setting (training provided)
Strong organizational skills?
Leadership and teambuilding skills
Current American Red Cross First Aid, and CPR Certification (training provided)
Connecticut Safe Boating Certification (or you’re home state’s NASBLA approved certification)?
Lifeguarding Certification (training provided if necessary)
Experience maintaining and servicing outboard engines
Experience with wood and fiberglass hull maintenance
US Sailing Level 1 instructor or sailing counselor certification (or willingness to obtain, training provided)
Experience working with children and youth in formal or informal settings
Positive, enthusiastic and flexible attitude
Integrity, patience, adaptability, a sense of humor, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serve youth

Responsibilities

Teaching sailing, rowing, seamanship, and maritime skills in the context of: summer camps; scout, school, homeschool and after-school programming; and adult programming, in addition to other programs at the discretion of the Supervisor of Sailing Programs
Develop and implement sailing curriculum in conjunction with the Supervisor of Sailing Programs
Develop and enforce all program safety guidelines?in conjunction with the Supervisor of Sailing Programs
Maintain Sailing Center’s fleet of boats (sail and power) year-round, and organize and implement all maintenance activities
Lead by example as a role model for staff and campers in setting the tone for positive youth development
Supervision and mentorship of sailing instructor staff (throughout the year) and counselors-in-training (during summer camp programming)
Maintain the physical infrastructure and safety of the Sailing Center grounds in conjunction with the Supervisor of Sailing Programs
Leading day-to-day activities including maintenance, outreach, and instruction
Communication with camper and program parents
Outreach activities in order to raise and improve the profile of the Sailing Center and Mystic Seaport Museum
Maintain close communication with the Supervisor of Sailing Programs to ensure smooth program operations