Open Water SCUBA Instructors

Qualifications for these positions include the following:

• OWSI licensed (PADI preferred)

• Organizational skills. SCUBA paperwork and Broadreach course reports must be kept current at all times.

• Flexible teaching style. Most programs do not have access to audio/visual teaching aides. Confined open water dives take place in a natural environment instead of a pool.

• Operational knowledge of air compressors, tank filling and basic field repair of dive gear.

• Small boat handling skills preferred. We often use small boats/dinghies w/40hp outboards to access dive sites and pull water skiers.

• Experience working with teens preferred.

• Flexible location assignment. Most first year OWSIs work in our Caribbean programs. For other program locations, we typically require 1 year teaching experience, as well as teaching experience with AOW, Rescue and specialties.

• Instructors must be willing to do miscellaneous work including setting up boats for program and setting up base camp. (This may include lifting heavy objects, working on engines, dinghy repairs, construction, stocking food, repairing gear, running errands, inventory etc.)

• Other qualifications that we consider include experience working as a dive guide, number of SCUBA certifications, your overall dive experience, and a background in marine biology.

• Excellent communication skills.

Skippers

Qualifications for these positions include the following:

• Licensed US Coast Guard Captain, Yacht Master or equivalent experience.

• Operate a yacht over 45 feet, from standard operations to sail training.

• Small boat handling skills. You will be expected to regularly operate dinghies and small boats with 6hsp to 50 hp outboards.

• Anchor in tight harbors, maneuver in tight harbors under power (twin and single screw), dock with unfavorable winds, refuel, moor, and understand basic yacht maintenance and basic diesel engine maintenance.

• Experience in overnight sailing trips/deliveries/chartering.

• Knowledge of sailing standards to teach IYT certifications to teenagers.

• Knowledge of course plotting and coastal navigation to teach teenagers.

• Ability to support the dive instructor on board, for example filling tanks and help with dinghy transport.

• Instructors should understand that their duties far exceed just "skippering" a yacht. Captains are expected to help out in all aspects of the program from scuba diving, to water-skiing, to chaperoning teenagers 24/7, to setting up base camp. These responsibilities also include working on outboards, dinghy repairs, construction, stocking food, repairing gear, running errands, inventory, etc.

• Experience working with teens preferred.

Wilderness Leaders

Qualifications for these positions include the following:

• Strong experience leading teenagers in wilderness environments. (The minimum total of accumulated course time should be 60 days, with individual trip lengths that are a minimum of six days.)

• Solid experience leading the activities offered on their program. These activities may include hiking, camping, horseback riding, rafting, surfing, canoeing, and sea kayaking.

• Experience facilitating a group and understanding group facilitation concepts.

• Fluency or advanced proficiency in the language spoken at the program location (Spanish, French or Chinese) is preferred for all programs and required for language immersion programs. A master's degree or PhD in language or cultural studies is preferred.

Marine Biologists

Qualifications for these positions include the following:

• Master's or PhD in marine science.

• Experience teaching marine science at the high school or college level.

• Comfortable teaching college level marine science courses, including hands-on academics, labs and field survey techniques.

• SCUBA certified on programs which include scuba diving. Divemasters and OWSIs are preferred.

• Experience with the activities included on the program preferred. Activities may include snorkeling, hiking, sea kayaking and diving.

French Instructors

Our courses focus on French language development and increasing awareness of social, environmental and cultural issues of the communities we explore. We combine classroom learning, practical application of skills, home stays, hands on cultural activities along with service learning. Students also participate in hikes to historical sites and other adventures.

• Teach teenagers about francophone culture and language and lead them through community service projects in France or the French West Indies.

• Coordinate language lessons taught by local schools with Academic Treks curriculum.

• In addition to teaching, instructors live with students and facilitate positive group dynamics, personal growth, and leadership development.

• Master's or PhD degree in French language and/or culture highly preferred.

• Strong French language skills and experience working with teens.

Spanish Instructors

Our courses focus on Spanish language development and increasing awareness of social, environmental and cultural issues of the communities we explore. We combine classroom learning, practical application of skills, home stays, hands on cultural activities along with service learning. Students also participate in hikes to historical sites and other adventures.

• Teach students about Latin American culture and language and lead them through community service projects in Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua or Mexico.

• In addition to teaching, instructors live with students and facilitate positive group dynamics, personal growth, and leadership development.

• Coordinate language lessons taught by local schools with Academic Treks curriculum.

• Master's or PhD degree in Spanish language and/or culture highly preferred.

• Strong Spanish language skills and experience working with teens.

Chinese Instructors

Our course focuses on Chinese language development and increasing awareness of social, environmental and cultural issues of the communities we explore. We combine classroom learning, practical application of skills, home stays, hands on cultural activities along with service learning. Students also participate in hikes to historical sites and other adventures.

• Teach students about China and lead them through community service projects.

• In addition to teaching, instructors live with students and facilitate positive group dynamics, personal growth, and leadership development.

• Trip leader should have strong Chinese language skills and experience working with teens.

• Master's or PhD degree in Chinese language and/or culture highly preferred.

Caribbean Culture Instructor

Our Windward Island Expedition course in Dominica and Guadeloupe focuses on History ,Culture, and Anthropology in the Caribbean as well as the development and conservation of the islands. We combine classroom learning, practical application of skills, home stays, hands on service learning. Students also participate in sea kayaking, snorkeling, sailing and a discover scuba experience.

• Teach students about Caribbean Culture and history, and lead them through community service projects.

• In addition to teaching, instructors live with students and facilitate positive group dynamics, personal growth, and leadership development.

• Experience working with teens preferred.

• Master’s or PhD in anthropology, Caribbean history or related field.

Natural Science Instructor

• Master's or PhD in field related to primates, African wildlife, climate change, or tropical ecology

• Experience teaching natural science at the high school or college level.

• Comfortable teaching college level science courses, including hands-on academics, labs and field survey techniques.

• Experience with the activities included on the program preferred. Activities may include hiking, sea kayaking, and snorkeling.