Assistant Instructor- Youth Learn to Sail Program

Job Description

Assistant Instructor - Youth Learn to Sail Program

Spend your summer months as a Learn to Sail Assistant Instructor, teaching youth to sail on a fleet of Optis, 420s, and FJs. You will teach 8 to 18-year-old students from beginner to advanced level sailing, communicate with parents, and uphold all NWM safety policies and procedures.

We love working with team members who

• Have a proactive work ethic– willing to jump in and help in any aspect of programming when necessary
• Love to create a fun, inclusive, and safe atmosphere for learning
• Communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and are flexible in dynamic situations

Primary responsibilities

• Teach daily lesson plans in keeping with the class content as presented in the program description, including facilitating a shore-side program in inclement weather
• Ensure that all boats and safety equipment are prepared for each day of programming, in cooperation with the Programs Operations Coordinator and the Summer Program Coordinator
• Complete and follow all required and necessary daily paperwork and related guidelines, i.e., lesson plans, incident reports (as needed), class actuals, maintenance/equipment log
• Participation in pre-season setup and postseason teardown of the program
• Participation in the Staff Orientation - date to be determined
• Other duties as assigned by the Summer Program Coordinator

General operations

While this position’s primary focus is sailing instruction, the Learn to Sail Assistant Instructor works as part of the entire NWM team, ensuring smooth operations. As a growing non-profit, we all pitch in for the heavy lifting, whether it's participating in all-hands projects and events, assisting visitors, or occasionally doing some literal heavy lifting.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 + years of experience teaching or participating in a sail training environment
• Current US Sailing Level 1 Small boat Instructor or Sailing Team experience
• Experience in boat handling small row boats, sailboats, and inflatables
• Good understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or training plan
• CDC “Heads Up” online concussion training or training plan
• Knowledge of safe boating practices or training plan
• Work offers are contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check

Application Process

• Complete the online application

• Work location & schedule
• Position will require onsite work
• NWM main offices are located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
• Position is seasonal, June 29 to August 28, 2026, up to 40 hours/week
• Reports to: Waterfront Programs Manager

WAGE RANGE & BENEFITS • $18.50-$19.50 per hour, non-exempt • Paid time off

• accrues 1 hour of sick time for every 25 hours worked
• Employee discounts

NWM is committed to equal employment opportunity, striving towards being an antiracist and inclusive organization. We value the diversity of our staff and the communities that we serve, which includes a spectrum of racial, cultural, religious, sexual and gender identities, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people who have not seen themselves represented in the industry.