ActionQuest has been offering experiential and educational programs for teenagers since 1986. Over this time, we have taught thousands of teens to sail and scuba dive. All of our programs involve a combination of these sports along with water skiing, windsurfing, marine biology and ecology. These are the hard skills. More important are the soft skills that our students learn in the process of living and working together in small teams aboard a sailing vessel: Communication and leadership skills, personal effectiveness and integrity. Our philosophy is to educate, instruct and facilitate the development of both the hard and the soft skills, thereby arming our students with a new set of tools for the future.
Our professional staff need to be the embodiment of this philosophy. Their qualifications and experience are diverse and range from vocational and instructional right on through to the highest level of academics. What unites our staff is their love of teaching, personal drive, motivation and integrity as well as the enthusiasm to give 110% for an entire summer. Many of our staff work full-time with us aboard our Sea|mester programs (see staff profile page for details) others are traditional teachers during the rest of the year and join us each summer.
Applications
During the height of the season, staff numbers grow to over 40 and each year we look for new members to join our team. We receive over 100 applications per year and take our recruitment process very seriously. We do accept applications on a year-round basis, yet aim to start our hiring process early in the new year (January - March). You can click here to download a staff application form in PDF format or contact our office for further details.
If you think that you have what it takes, not just the right qualifications but also the right outlook, motivation and commitment, then read on...
Typical ActionQuest staff
The average age of our summer staff is 26. Almost all are over 21, although we may hire younger, 18+ year-olds for specific roles if they possess the right level of qualifications. Our staff must be young enough at heart to work with teenagers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in an environment which lacks personal space and time off.
Although most of our staff are US citizens, a wide range of nationalities are represented. English does not need to be a first language, but staff do need to be fluent.
Our staff meet a stringent set of minimum qualification requirements (see individual descriptions for details). All are trained in basic first aid and CPR.
Since all staff positions are physically demanding, our staff are fit and healthy. They are nonsmokers and drink alcohol only occasionally.
Our staff are positive role models for the students as well as the rest of the staff. They present a professional appearance at all times.
Employment Dates
Most of our summer programs start in the third week of June and run through until the fourth week of August (see our Dates section for details). Most staff would be required full-time during this period. Prior to the arrival of our shipmates, all staff are required to join us for Staff Training Week which typically runs June 10 - June 17 in the British Virgin Islands. This training includes First Aid and CPR certification (and re-certification) at no cost.
Compensation
Compensation is dependent upon many factors such as qualifications, experience, staff position and responsibilities, program location and duration. All compensation includes round trip air tickets to the program starting point, staff uniform, room and board. Any extra expenditure is minimal. Please contact the Florida office on 1-800-317-6789 if you have specific questions regarding compensation.
Staff Positions Available
Please follow the links below to learn more about the various positions available.
