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Thank you for your interest in employment with Sea|mester

As a leader in the field of experiential education programs for young adults, we attribute our continuing success to the quality of our staff and the strong relationships we build in pursuit of our mission. Below you will find more information about us and how you can begin your path towards an exciting and rewarding career.

Company Overview

Backed by over 40 years of experience delivering experiences in sail and dive training and ocean science, Sea|mester is part of Global Expeditions Group (GXG). We offer college-level academic programs at sea for young adults. Our mission is to provide incredible adventures that promote social, emotional and intellectual growth and the exploration of other cultures.

Over the course of a semester our students learn sailing skills, navigation and scuba diving. They study oceanography, marine biology and leadership, and may travel as many as 5000 nautical miles and have amazing cultural experiences. Through the course of the voyage, students and staff live and work together aboard the vessels. Communication, leadership skills, and integrity are paramount to a successful voyage. Our philosophy is to educate, instruct and facilitate the development of both the hard and the soft skills, thereby arming our students with a new set of tools for the future.

Employment

Sea|mester is proud to attract and recruit the best in our field. Our staff consists of avid world travelers, highly qualified professionals, and fun and experienced facilitators and educators. All members of our team are dynamic, multi-talented, and passionate individuals with an unending devotion and commitment to the safety and experience of our students.

The average age of our staff is around 30, many are U.S. citizens, though a wide range of nationalities is represented. We accept applications on a year-round basis. Contracts typically require a minimum one-year commitment though this can vary depending on the location(s) assigned.

Interested parties should be prepared to complete the following as part of any interview process:

  • Complete the Sea|mester Employment Application form and provide us a copy of your resume
  • Submit a minimum of two professional or academic references
  • Complete one or more in-person or video conference interviews with a Sea|mester director
  • Complete a short questionnaire via our employee screening partner
  • Submit official copies of all professional certifications
  • Complete a comprehensive background check
  • Complete our medical history form and Counselling Questionnaire (if applicable)
  • Agree to our random or all-inclusinve drugs testing policy

We seek staff for the following internationally based operational positions:

Job Description

Sea|mester is currently inviting applications for the position of Captain aboard S/Y Argo (112ft) and S/Y Ocean Star (88ft). The Captain is master of all aspects of Sea|mester Programs as they relate to vessel operations, safety, technical support and vessel and equipment maintenance. Other specific duties include, but are not limited to, supervision and general welfare of all aboard, maintaining logs and records, customs and port clearances and leading a watch when underway. The Captain oversees and instructs a college-level Nautical Science and Navigation course. A Sea|mester Captain must play an active role in every aspect of life afloat. This will include mentoring the students, leading shore excursions, support of scientific and scuba activities, cooking, cleaning and preventative maintenance of the vessels. A successful candidate will be passionate and energetic with experience in an expeditionary setting. A strong interest in education and role modeling is required.

Preferred Certifications, Qualifications and Experience
  • IYT/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean
  • MCA Approved Engine Course
  • STCW 95
  • Ship’s Captain Medical/Medical Person in Charge Certification
  • Blue water sailing experience, including ocean crossings
  • Considerable documented experience skippering a vessel of 80+ft
  • Teaching experience in the areas of Seamanship and Navigation
  • Familiarity with marine systems and basic maintenance on diesel engines and electronics
  • Experience working with youth
  • Confident boat handler with the ability to let the students take the helm and learn by doing

Every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment.

Job Description

Sea|mester is currently inviting applications for the position of Mate aboard S/Y Argo (112ft) and S/Y Ocean Star (88ft). Responsibilities include on‐site support and supervision of Sea|mester Programs as they relate to vessel operations, technical support and vessel maintenance. Other specific duties include, but are not limited to, supervision, general welfare and safety of all aboard. The Mate’s primary duties are to instruct the trainees in all sailing operations and to oversee the running of the deck. This includes setting and striking of sails, anchoring and tender launching and operation. He/she also assists in instructing a college-level Nautical Science and Navigation course. Mate must play an active role in every aspect of life afloat. This will include mentoring the students, leading shore excursions, support of scientific and scuba activities, cooking, cleaning and preventative maintenance of the vessels. A successful candidate will be passionate and energetic with experience in an expeditionary setting. A strong interest in education and role modeling is required.

Preferred Certifications, Qualifications and Experience
  • IYT/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
  • STCW 95
  • Blue water sailing experience, including ocean crossings
  • Documented experience aboard a vessel of 80+ft
  • Teaching experience in the areas of Seamanship and Navigation
  • Familiarity with marine systems and basic maintenance on diesel engines and electronics
  • Experience working with youth

Every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment.

Job Description

To teach two college-level marine science courses, Introduction to Oceanography (3 credit) and Introduction to Marine Biology (3 Credits). This includes all lecture and practical activities. Developing and grading quizzes and exams. Grading papers and presentations. Other duties include playing an active role in every aspect of life afloat. This will include mentoring the students, participation in sailing and scuba activities, cooking, cleaning and provisioning. Other duties will include student supervision during island activities (both academic and non-academic) such as field trips and island hikes.

Position Duration

Annual employment with a typical contract running from September 15 – September 14 the following year. An annual contract covers three specific operational units:

  • Fall: September 20th – December 14th
  • Spring: January 8th – April 2nd
  • Summer: June 5th – August 23rd
Preferred Certifications, Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Masters degree in Oceanography or Marine Science with 18 or more credit hours of documented oceanography or marine science classes taken at the master’s level (or higher). Experience teaching to an undergraduate level. Although not required, the successful candidate may also hold one or more of these additional qualifications: PADI Divemaster or Instructor: USCG captains license; RYA / MCA Yachtmaster or Master of Yachts 200 ton; Emergency Medical Technician or other similar medical certification.

Every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment.

Employee Characteristics

The successful candidate will be a positive role model and be able to create a constructive learning environment. They will be able to feel comfortable living on a boat in close proximity to others for months at a time, and will also be willing to assist in all aspects of the program in addition to teaching the marine science classes. They will be a self-starter and be able to work without direct supervision. Excellent teaching and personal communications skills are also necessary. Life aboard presents many challenges and so the candidate must also exhibit the following: flexibility to changing environments, weather and circumstances; good judgment and the ability to interact patiently and constructively with our students; willingness to work irregular hours in remote locations; a sense of teamwork, humor and professional maturity.

Job Description

While every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment, each vessel includes a crew member who carries a higher level of medical training.

The minimum standard of qualification we consider appropriate for our vessel S/Y Ocean Star (passages less than 150nm from shore) is a WFR. The minimum qualification we consider appropriate for our vessels S/Y Argo or S/Y Vela (Category Zero – unrestricted service) is EMT or U.S Coast Guard/MCA approved Medical Person In Charge (MPIC) certification which specifically pertains to care of others whilst at sea.

The MPIC course is recommended for all crew members but designed for officers and crew who will be serving as the Medical Person in Charge. This course satisfies Table A-VI/4-2 of the STCW Code, as amended 2010 for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care; and the competence of Table A-II/2 to organize and manage the provision of medical care on board hence, satisfying the STCW requirement for a medical certification at the Management Level.

The role of Medical Person In Charge (MPIC) is typically assumed by one of our permanent Captains, Mates, or Dive Instructors rather than a standalone role held by an individual with no other primary responsibilities.

Job Description

Sea|mester is a PADI Gold Palm Facility. We offer certification courses to our students which run from the Open Water Diver Course through Divemaster and include a number of different specialties. Our dive instructors live aboard the yachts full-time and will aid the sailing staff with all aspects of running the vessel and the program. This includes helping with the deck operations, cooking, cleaning and sailing as well as the team building and leadership training. When the sails go up, the instructors do not go down! Our instructors comment at the end of the program that actual dive instruction was a minor part of their job description!

Preferred Certifications, Qualifications and Experience
  • Be at least 24 years old
  • Hold a minimum of the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Certification
  • Active teaching status
  • Reasonable knowledge of equipment maintenance
  • Experience in dinghy operation
  • Experience working with youth
  • Be fit and healthy with a love of teaching
Other Helpful Qualifications:
  • IYT / RYA Yachtmaster
  • Some marine science background
  • MSDT status
  • PADI O2 instructor
  • PADI EFR instructor
  • Over 25 Certifications

Every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment.

Job Description

Unfortunately, we have very few positions available for general support staff or deckhands as our programs are based so heavily around the qualifications of our staff. Occasionally, however, we do need someone to act in this role. These are intern jobs and normally we look to our past students to fill these roles. Candidates must have the following characteristics.

Preferred Certifications, Qualifications and Experience
  • 21+ years of age
  • Significant sailing experience and knowledge
  • Be an appropriate role model for our students
  • Be fit, healthy and highly motivated

Every staff member is required to be current in Primary and Secondary Care, including CPR (at minimum) for the duration of employment.

Things to Know Before you Apply

Our professional staff need to be the embodiment of the Sea|mester mission, philosophy, policies and procedures. We place high expectations on our staff, thus applicants should consider all of the following before applying.

  • Our staff must be enthusiastic and young enough at heart – as well as physically, mentally and in all ways able – to work with young adults 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in an environment that is highly active and adventurous, is physically and mentally demanding and lacks personal privacy, space and time off.
  • Risk management comes first in everything we do at Sea|mester. Staff are expected to create a fun, educational environment for our students that limits the possibility of loss or injury due to the inherent risks of our activities.
  • As international travel and work with youth is in many ways unpredictable, staff need to be able to think on their feet and be flexible enough to handle change and associated challenges.
  • Although English does not need to be a first language, staff are expected to be fluent.
  • Staff need to maintain professional conduct and present a professional appearance at all times.
  • All staff are required to be trained in First Aid and CPR. Special consideration is given to applicants with advanced medical training such as Wilderness First Responder or EMT.
  • We are a strict tobacco, alcohol and drug-free program for our students. As our staff are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are models of the behavior we expect from our students, our staff must be able to maintain tobacco, alcohol and drug-free behavior during their contractual periods. On exception, staff are permitted to consume alcohol in moderation during approved times off, but staff must understand these are infrequent exceptions to the rule rather than regular occurrences. All staff agree to random drug testing in the workplace.
  • Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a background check and an acceptable medical history form and/or examination by a licensed physician.

Sea|mester offers compensation packages competitive within our field. Compensation is dependent on many factors including staff qualifications, experience, position and responsibilities and contract duration. Compensation packages for full time (year round staff) include airfare benefits, paid time off, medical insurance, staff apparel, room and board.

Please contact our office at [email protected] if you have specific questions regarding compensation and benefits.

If you think you have what it takes, not just the right qualifications but also the right outlook, motivation and commitment to our programs, we’d love to hear from you! Click on the link in the footer bar to start your online application. If you have any questions before application, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Please note that our employment process is highly competitive. Upon receipt of an Application for Employment, Sea|mester is typically only able to contact potential candidates for interviews.

Our professional staff need to be the embodiment of the Sea|mester mission, philosophy, policies and procedures. We place high expectations on our staff, thus applicants should consider all of the following before applying.

  • Our staff must be enthusiastic and young enough at heart – as well as physically, mentally and in all ways able – to work with young adults 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in an environment that is highly active and adventurous, is physically and mentally demanding and lacks personal privacy, space and time off.
  • Risk management comes first in everything we do at Sea|mester. Staff are expected to create a fun, educational environment for our students that limits the possibility of loss or injury due to the inherent risks of our activities.
  • As international travel and work with youth is in many ways unpredictable, staff need to be able to think on their feet and be flexible enough to handle change and associated challenges.
  • Although English does not need to be a first language, staff are expected to be fluent.
  • Staff need to maintain professional conduct and present a professional appearance at all times.
  • All staff are required to be trained in First Aid and CPR. Special consideration is given to applicants with advanced medical training such as Wilderness First Responder or EMT.
  • We are a strict tobacco, alcohol and drug-free program for our students. As our staff are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are models of the behavior we expect from our students, our staff must be able to maintain tobacco, alcohol and drug-free behavior during their contractual periods. On exception, staff are permitted to consume alcohol in moderation during approved times off, but staff must understand these are infrequent exceptions to the rule rather than regular occurrences. All staff agree to random drug testing in the workplace.
  • Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a background check and an acceptable medical history form and/or examination by a licensed physician.

Sea|mester offers compensation packages competitive within our field. Compensation is dependent on many factors including staff qualifications, experience, position and responsibilities and contract duration. Compensation packages for full time (year round staff) include airfare benefits, paid time off, medical insurance, staff apparel, room and board.

Please contact our office at [email protected] if you have specific questions regarding compensation and benefits.

If you think you have what it takes, not just the right qualifications but also the right outlook, motivation and commitment to our programs, we’d love to hear from you! Click on the link in the footer bar to start your online application. If you have any questions before application, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Please note that our employment process is highly competitive. Upon receipt of an Application for Employment, Sea|mester is typically only able to contact potential candidates for interviews.

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