Environmental Education Instructor

The most important thing we look for in any person who applies to work at the Sound to Sea Program is a love for children. You must have a strong desire to be with them and help them learn. As an instructor at Sound to Sea, you are in the extraordinarily powerful position of giving many students their first look at the natural world, their first experience of loving learning, their first positive, applied experience in the sciences, or their first thought towards protecting our fragile planet. This position is an honor and a responsibility. Each child who comes through the program will only come here one time, and will see whatever you do with completely new eyes. Class topics vary from island ecology to coastal cultures and human impacts. Instructors create programs and classes for diverse populations and are trained to work with and care for birds of prey and salt and fresh water aquariums. Our instructors not only get multiple trainings and evaluations to help them grow in their teaching, but we also encourage instructors to complete projects that add to our curriculum.  Instructor projects have included painting murals, re-articulating a whale skeleton, or simply developing their own lesson plans.

Job Overview

Situated on a 62-acre island preserve on North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, the Sound to Sea Environmental Education Program is a secular program of Trinity Center—serving public and private schools each school year and a 12-week summer day camp.

Join a staff of nine Instructors to teach classes on the five major island habitats: the beach, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh and sound. Class topics vary from island ecology to coastal cultures and human impacts. Instructors utilize hands-on activities to teach a multidisciplinary curriculum, create programs and classes for diverse populations and are trained to work with and care for birds of prey and salt and fresh water aquariums and other education animals. Instructors have overnight duty two nights every two weeks and will be trained in CPR/first aid. School year or year-round contracts available (most Instructors stay from one to two years). Compensation includes $285/week (with pay raises offered at the end of each season), plus private room and communal space, meals, medical insurance, and access to a private beach and sound side docks. Applicants must have a college degree in related field, the ability and desire to work with elementary school students through senior adults in small and large group situations, a desire to live in community, a sense of humor, creativity and flexibility. To apply, send your cover letter and resume to Mindy Furrer.

Special Benefits

Bring your kayak or SUP, flip flops and sunscreen, and enjoy your off time by exploring the beautiful North Carolina coast!

Minimum Requirements

Requires: Degree in related field, ability and desire to work with elementary school students through senior adults in small and large group situations; creativity, flexibility, sense of humor and a desire to live in community. Previous teaching experience helpful.