Head Junior Sailing Instructor (Summer 2027)

Description

Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club- Head Junior Sailing Instructor- Mt. Arlington, NJ

Pay: $22–$30/hour (based on related experience)

Schedule:

• Summer 2027: Approx. June 22 – August 14
• Tuesday–Friday (Average 32 hours/week)

About the Job:

Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club is hiring a Head Instructor to run its Junior Sailing Program for Summer 2027. About 80 sailors come through each season ranging in ages 5 to 12 and early in their sailing careers. This job is for someone who loves working with kids and can make a day on the water the best part of a kid's summer.

Who we're looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Previous teaching, coaching or mentoring experience with youth (ex: instructor, coach, camp counselor, etc)
• NJ Boaters License (or willing to obtain)
• US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor (or willing to obtain)
• Willing to submit to a background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience teaching young sailors
• US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor certification
• NASBLA Safe Powerboat Handling or equivalent
• CPR / First Aid / AED

Physical Requirements:

• Strong swimmer
• Able to stand and walk for a full shift
• Able to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs
• Comfortable teaching on water and on land
• Comfortable working outdoors in heat, sun and wind
• Able to perform the essential functions of a job with or without a reasonable accommodation

What you'll do:

• Be the face of the junior sailing program for sailors and parents
• Lead a team of 3–4 high-school assistant coaches
• Build lesson plans and activities mixing sailing related skills, games and fun including rainy-day and no-wind activities.
• Run the daily schedule, check-in and check-out, swim tests and safety procedures.
• Keep every sailor safe on and off the water.
• Keep families and the Junior Sailing Directors informed about schedule changes, weather calls and make-up days.
• Run start-up week: staff orientation and a full inspection of all boats and equipment before classes begin.
• Maintain the fleet (Optimists, Vanguard Nomads, Open Bics, Sunfish, Lasers/ILCA) and the coach boats in good shape, along with the docks and the sailing area.
• Close out the season with an updated boat and equipment inventory, a repair list, brief staff evaluations and a progress note for each sailor.
• Report to the Junior Sailing Directors and support any ad hoc requests.

2027 Tentative Programs:

• Wind Chasers (ages 5–7): a once-a-week intro to sailing on Wednesdays. Most likely in Vanguard Nomads.
• Level 1: a fun-first learn-to-sail program in club-owned Prams (plastic Optimists).
• Race Team: racing skills and regatta prep (parents handle travel to away regattas, so coaches stay on the lake). Primarily taught in Optimists and Lasers.
• Adventure Sailing (teens): recreational sailing in Open Bics, Sunfish, Lasers and Nomads. Range of ages and experiences for 2-week sessions.
• Halsey Island Race Week: our end-of-season tradition, the week of August 9.

Classes run in three sessions, Tuesday- Friday from June 29 through August 6, with a “Race Week” the week of August 9th. The club is closed on Mondays.

What We Offer:

• $22–$30/hour, pending on related experience, paid by direct deposit
• Weekends off
• Possible housing with an LHYC member family on the lake, or possible housing stipend pending candidate
• Reimbursement for US Sailing instructor and other certifications
• A paid pre-season staff meeting (on Zoom) in late May or early June
• A close-knit sailing community on a beautiful lake about an hour from New York City

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Previous teaching, coaching or mentoring experience with youth (ex: instructor, coach, camp counselor, etc)
• NJ Boaters License (or willing to obtain)
• US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor (or willing to obtain)
• Willing to submit to a background check

Physical Requirements:

• Strong swimmer
• Able to stand and walk for a full shift
• Able to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs
• Comfortable teaching on water and on land
• Comfortable working outdoors in heat, sun and wind
• Able to perform the essential functions of a job with or without a reasonable accommodation