MarineQuest Summer Program

Position: Marine Quest Summer Program Day Staff 2026

Marine Quest Summer Program Day Staff 2026

Marine Quest summer program instructors lead informal educational and recreational marine science activities with youth (ages 4 - 17) for individual and group participation. Instructors are expected to lead program activities in various settings, including UNCW academic labs, classrooms, beaches, marsh, docks, and other public marine science sites. Successful candidates are placed in age‑specific program lines or specialty teaching roles (except for the equipment manager) where they will learn multiple curriculums;

learn more about each programming line here.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from high school and prior experience leading recreational activities.
• Ability to work outdoors in Wilmington, NC summer conditions.
• Ability to navigate uneven surfaces and terrain, such as sand, marsh mud, and floating docks.
• Qualifications for Marine Quest Summer Program Instructor and Specialty Staff are specific to the individual positions in each category. Applicants should review each position's qualification requirements here.
• For example, Dive Program Instructors must have at least an Advanced Open Water Certification and have a current lifeguard certification.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of marine sciences is a plus.
• Experience teaching K-12 students.
• Ability to carry 35 lbs.
• Completion of bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Lifeguard Certification is preferred, and in most cases required, (must be signed up for a certification course within 30 days of returning a signed Letter of Agreement).

Required Certifications or Licensure

• First Aid and CPR Certification (certifications must be obtained by June 1, 2026).
• Must complete online training modules and attend Marine Quest in‑person staff training held June 1st - 5th, 2026.

Work Hours

Half Day Instructors: 7:15 AM‑12:15 PM Monday – Friday;
Full Day Instructors: 7:15 AM‑4:15 PM Monday‑Thursday, and 7:15 AM‑1:45 PM Friday. Work Days:
Weekday positions Monday‑Friday;
Specialty Staff variable hours Monday‑Friday;
Weekend Positions Friday‑Sunday. Hours Per Week:
Half Day 25 hrs, Specialty Staff 20‑30 hrs, Full Day 40 hrs, with possibility of 5 hrs overtime.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Temporary position. Assignment length based on department needs with possibility of continuation. Temporary employees do not earn leave and are subject to Affordable Care Act guidelines.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 9, 2026 and will continue to be monitored until all positions are filled. The first offers will be given in mid‑March. Pay varies by position and is based on qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex‑offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor‑vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for state‑funded employee benefit programs.

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