Overview
The Maritime Education Instructor is part of the team of educators who provide audacious hands-on maritime education that ignites curiosity and cultivates belonging for our students. Northwest Maritime (NWM) is an innovative non-profit organization, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration, open communication, exchange of ideas, and teamwork help us connect communities, careers, and the sea through maritime learning. This position is responsible for NWM’s everyday instruction and operations at Maritime High School (MHS) and in our other programs and activities throughout the greater Seattle area. Bring your experience in the maritime field to project-based learning, teaching, youth mentorship, and maritime workforce pipelines for students ages 5 to 18 in a variety of contexts:
Maritime-related lessons aboard our teaching platforms from kayaks to ferries
Certificate courses, including Washington Boater’s Education Cards and First Aid
Project design and implementation in vessel operations, marine construction, and marine resource subject areas
Place-based, maritime-focused trips in collaboration with partner organizations and businesses from shipyards to science labs
Your unique blend of education and maritime skills will enhance our operations and instructional capacity. Your experiences demonstrate innovative education through project design and group facilitation, emphasizing a student-centered approach that celebrates individual strengths and passions. Your dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the maritime industry
ensures an environment of belonging for all students.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Implement authentic and engaging maritime-focused curricula through project-based learning, including field trips, workshops, and trainings at Maritime High School and beyond
Assist in the development of curriculum, lesson plans and instructional resources
Provide direct instruction using inclusive instructional techniques to differentiate for and accommodate all students and learning styles in safe and inclusive learning environments
Collaborate with maritime industry partners to design relevant and engaging learning opportunities for students that can support their career and educational growth
Support the operational needs of Northwest Maritime’s Seattle-area programs, including gear inventory and maintenance, and program logistics at multiple sites
Participate in implementing program evaluations and tracking of program alumni
Contribute to a professional, collaborative, and enjoyable work environment by actively participating in staff training, team meetings, and shared planning
Facilitate maritime engagement activities at community outreach events
GENERAL OPERATIONS
While the primary focus of this position is the direct planning and instruction of maritime-related experiences, the Maritime Education Instructor works as part of the entire NWM team. As a growing non-profit, we all pitch in for the heavy lifting, wh
Required Skills:
Experience in facilitating hands-on maritime education for middle and/or high school age students with a focus on developing their innate skills
Strong professional skills including organization, time management, and accountability
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Demonstrated experience building relationships with students, families, and community partners
Current CPR & First Aid certification or a willingness to enroll in classes upon hiring
Valid WA State Driver’s License
Preferred Skills:
Experience teaching in the following areas: Vessel/ boat operations design or marine construction, engineering, design, and construction, marine sciences and resource management
USCG Merchant Mariner Credential: 25T license and above
Experience or certification as a paddling instructor or guide
Experience teaching shop safety and woodworking
Experience working with English Language Learners. Spanish and/or ASL fluency a plus
Experience with Project Based Learning, Performance Assessment and/or Mastery-bas
About Northwest Maritime
Northwest Maritime is dynamic, growing, making a difference in our community, and taking an increasing role in the region. We serve individual students and program participants, but we also work to help solve community problems like systemic improvements in our public schools, economic development, job training, and working regionally to pair the opportunities in the maritime industry with the need to address systemic oppression in communities of color. Plus, all of the fun stuff like kids’ programs, festivals, and adventure races.
On top of it all, you’d get to work on the water in Port Townsend: natural beauty, heritage buildings, arts community, wooden boats, zero traffic jams. Northwest Maritime’s relative scale to our small town means that the effects of our success can be observed in the success of our community. You’ll be doing meaningful work for the place you live, and your efforts will make a tangible difference.
