Special Activities Instructor

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The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located in Manteo, NC, nine miles from the Atlantic coastline in Nags Head. The 61,000 square‑foot facility overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 1,600 animals in its collection. Over 280,000 guests visit the aquarium each year to see the largest collection of sharks in North Carolina, learn about sea‑turtle conservation, participate in a variety of programs, enjoy the beauty of the area, and think about how special NC’s waterways are!

Multiple Positions!

DIVISION/AQUARIUM: North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

SALARY GRD/RANGE: NC03

RECRUITMENT RANGE: $16.00 per hour

APPT TYPE: Temporary

LOCATION: NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo, Dare County

** This vacancy announcement is recruiting for multiple Special Activities Instructors for the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island**

* This is an hourly position generally working 30‑40 hours per week. It is classified as temporary/part‑time and does not include state benefits. This is an eleven‑month position, with an option to reapply at the end of the position after a 35‑day break in service.*

Recommended candidate will be subject to a background check prior to hiring.

The Department of Natural & Cultural Resources does not engage in dual employment for temporary positions; if you are currently employed with another State agency, State university, or the NC National Guard and intend to remain employed with that entity, you may not be considered for temporary work with DNCR.

Description of Work

This is a seasonal position, slated to be filled in January or February of 2026.

Special Activity Programs at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island are hands‑on educational experiences provided for small groups of participants, ranging in duration from one to several hours at a time. Such programs include but are not limited to: children’s summer camps (single‑day and week‑long, non‑residential), animal ambassador programs, behind‑the‑scenes tours, kayaking programs, stand‑up paddle boarding, crabbing, fishing, school group programs, toddler programs, birthday parties, overnight programs, dissection labs, beach and salt marsh ecology trips, and more.

Special Activity Instructors will lead these programs independently and be very involved in leading summer camps. Instructors will work with permanent staff, interns, and occasionally volunteers, and are expected to uphold and encourage a positive, safe, and supportive work environment.

Applicants should be articulate and enthusiastic, have a strong work ethic, be able to work well both independently and within a team, and be able to adapt to a rigorous and flexible schedule. Candidates should be safety‑minded, possess strong customer service skills, exhibit good time management and organisational skills, have experience in leadership roles, be able to demonstrate strong problem‑solving skills, be comfortable handling live animals, and be comfortable working in and around the water.

Work schedule for this position is variable, with frequent weekend work shifts. High volume of weekend work is expected in the spring and fall seasons.

Essential Daily Responsibilities:

• Lead daily summer camps, Monday‑Friday
• Independently conduct programs, both indoors and outdoors
• Handle live animals while interpreting during programs
• Drive a fifteen‑passenger van for summer camp shuttle and field trips
• Assist with interpretation in the Sea Senses touch pools gallery
• Assist with staffing discovery carts, learning stations, and exhibit interpretation in public galleries
• Other duties as assigned by the Education Curator or permanent Educators

Position/

Physical Requirements:

• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to…