Youth Sailing Instructor

About Wayzata Sailing
Wayzata Sailing is a dynamic and accredited US Sailing Community Sailing Center, catering to over 1300 individual participants a year through lakeside adventures from sailing to fishing, STEM, and more. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, it is our mission to provide education, community, and access to lakeside experiences. We are seeking educators to bolster our experienced sailing staff with trained teaching skills. You'll work in a team to deliver sailing lessons, provide a camp atmosphere, and enjoy the lake with a group of 10-25 students. Benefits include a competitive salary, access to sailboats, other outdoor equipment, and waterfront off-hours, and a flexible end date for return to school or other fall obligations.

Job Summary:
Sailing Instructors will be responsible for teaching sailing skills to youth students (no sailing experience needed for Pram camp, training available). Placement flexible to desired age group of 7-10 or 11-16. You will be responsible for managing a group with co-instructors, playing outdoor games, delivering lessons, chalk talks, behavior support of your group, assisting with rigging, derigging, and minor boat maintenance, and supervising sailors on the water from a small 15hp tiller powerboat.

Sailing Camp Instruction Positions:

• Pram Camp (Pram sailboats, ages 7-11, beginner and some experience)
• O'Pen Skiff (O'Pen Skiff sailboats, ages 8-13, intermediate/adventure)
• Opti Race (Optimus Sailboats, ages 8-12, advanced/racing)
• 420 Camp (420 Sailboats, ages 11-16, beginner)
• 420 Adventure (420 Sailboats, ages 11-16, intermediate/adventure)
• 420/Laser Race (420 and Laser sailboats, ages 13-18, advanced/racing)
• Float (rotate between camps based on need, without a set sailboat or age group)

Schedule:
Schedule will be 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday. Hours may vary during weeks with special programming or events. Race instructors may have weekend hours for regattas. 

Qualifications:

• Time management and organization skills.
• Teaching and instructional skills.
• Excellent customer interaction skills with parents.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable learning new material on the job. 
• Interest in working with youth programming. 
• Enjoy being outdoors focused. 
• Comfortable swimming with a secured PFD. 
• Comfort/ability to be trained to operate a small safety boat in close quarters.
• Candidate must pass a background check.

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma.
• Experience in sailing and/or youth coaching preferred.
• CPR/First Aid (free when taken on offered dates), SafeSport (free), CDC Heads Up (free), and NASBLA ($35) certifications are required by the first date of employment.
• US Sailing Instructor certification preferred, may be required.

2026 Pay Scale:
Wayzata Sailing utilizes a pay scale to fairly compensate hourly employees. To encourage safety, education processes, and increased training - pay scales are primarily based on current education and experience working with education or camp environments. A certain number of staff certifications on site are a requirement as an Accredited Community Sailing Center, and we are not able to be flexible on this requirement. Experience is defined as related employment or relevant volunteering, relevant teaching experience, and/or participation in JI programming. Certification level 1 is 30+ hours (SBI1 or BKI), certification level 2 is 46+ hours (SBI2 or SBI1&BKI), and certification level 3 is 60+ hours (SBC3). College or other applicable courses/certifications may be used for STEM, Fishing, or Office positions. Raises or bonuses are subject to completion of goal setting/review. Seasonal employees are paid hourly and are FLSA non-exempt. Pay Scale:

No Certifications or Experience $15

Experience (JI or relevant employment) $17

Certification Level 1 $19

Certification Level 1 and Experience $20

Certification Level 2 and Experience $21

Certification Level 3 and Experience $22

Merit-based raises. As negotiated following goals setting/completion.
 

Physical Demands:

Generally, this job presents an active outdoor environment. Must be able to switch between active sitting and standing positions throughout the day. Works the majority of the day outside in a variety of weather; hot, cold, rain, etc. Operates a powerboat throughout the day. Facilitates active games for camp students. Assists students rigging and derigging boats. Lifts children out of water onto boats or docks. Must be able to utilize First Aid/CPR training. May be required to move sailing equipment weighing up to 30 lbs without assistance and up to 230 lbs with assistance. Must be able to comfortably swim while wearing a well fitting PFD. A dog (French Brittany) will be present in the office most days and may walk elsewhere on site. Must be able to work in a space with a dog present.
 

Race instructors may need to travel off-site for regattas. This may include local or overnight travel. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. May be required to tow equipment using a work provided vehicle. 

Wayzata Sailing is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to create a welcoming work environment and culture of inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. This job description is subject to change at any time.

For more information:
Go to https://www.wayzatasailing.org/staff to view the employment guide and application portal. Other seasonal positions in Sailing, STEM, Fishing, Office Administration, and Behavior Support available.
Email office@wayzatasailing.org with any questions.

At Will Employment
Minnesota is an employment "at will" state. An employee can quit for any reason; an employer can fire any employee for any reason as long as that reason is not illegal, such as discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.