Proctor Ocean Classroom Program Assistant Positions (Fall 2026)

Shore and Ship Based – Multiple Openings

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the High School Program Assistants (HSPAs) plays a key role in supporting students’ academic, social and personal success in SEA’s programs. Program Assistants are part of a collaborative team focused on cultivating student engagement and community participation to help enrich the student experience throughout the program.

During the program shore components, on the SEA Campus located at 171 Woods Hole Road Falmouth, MA, HSPAs will live in close proximity to the students in the SEA Student Cottages (2 HSPA’s per occupied Student Cottage).

The primary areas of responsibility include but are not limited to the safety of the students in program, providing onsite health and safety supervision (not medical care), social/emotional support, accompanying students and faculty on program field trips for oversight of students, meal planning, provisioning guidance in some food preparation, especially if dietary accommodations are required during shore component.

Other responsibilities may include driving SEA’s 12 passenger van to transport students, prescription and non-prescription medication monitoring, evening/weekend activity planning and execution. If traveling to the ship, HSPA will travel to/from the ship with the students. Other duties may be assigned.

Anticipated employment dates: September 1- November 20

This is a full-time seasonal (defined dates provided in employment agreement), non-benefit eligible position that begins 1-2 weeks before students arrive and ends 1-2 days after the program concludes. For each High School Program that SEA offers, there will be 2 PAs per student cottage. Most cottages accommodate between 12 – 13 students.

MAJOR TASKS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM ASSISTANTS

Safety: Creating a secure environment though supervision, situational awareness, assessing risks to prevent accidents or misconduct; understanding emergency response procedures; identifying, informing and helping to mitigate unsafe conditions; instructing and reminding as needed the safety rules, procedures and reporting process; reporting to management and documenting injuries, unsafe practices and near misses.

Community Development: Lives with the students and supervises the development of, and compliance with, community norms. Monitors and oversees the safety and welfare of students.

Program Logistics: Accompanies group on some field trips, attends planning and debrief meetings, helps to facilitate details such as transportation, mealtimes, and cleaning.

Academic Support: Supports program faculty as needed by assisting students outside of the classroom with assignments and helping students meet their academic goals. Assists with lab set-up, poster presentations/group discussions, and classroom organization.

Marketing & Social Media: Documents the experience for students by taking quality photographs for our marketing team and assists students with writing blog posts.

In addition, each Program Assistant may be assigned one of the following primary areas of responsibility:

Student Health/Medical Liaison: Assists with coordinating front-line intervention for student safety and medical/mental health issues on campus. Serves as a liaison to the SEA Medical Affairs Coordinator.

Steward: Assists with food service logistics such as meal planning, ordering, and storing food. Prepares meals and provides oversight for students who assist with meal prep and clean up.

Student Activities Coordinator: Plans, develops, and coordinates implementation of a range of diverse extracurricular leisure and community-building free-time activities in the evenings and on weekends throughout the program.

Facilities Liaison: Assists with coordinating cottage check-in and check-out procedures, fire drills, field days, and cottage maintenance and inspections. Serves as a liaison to the SEA Facilities Coordinator.

PROCTOR OCEAN CLASSROOM PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program, a collaboration between Proctor Academy in Andover, NH and Sea Education Association, is a semester program, where students from Proctor join the SEA faculty on the campus in Falmouth, MA for a shore component, then board the SSV Corwith Cramer and sail the vessel typically from Woods Hole to Christiansted, St. Croix USVI. HSPA positions will include both shore and ship responsibilities, and they will be expected to stand watch when onboard the ship.

Students participating in this program learn nautical science, leadership skills, marine biology and topics in blue humanities. On the ship, they are considered student crew, participating in

operations all around the ship, on deck, in the galley, in the science lab and engine room. HSPAs are the primary medical officers for the watch of students they are assigned to, and for this work are under the supervision of the captain.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree* in outdoor education, environmental science, marine biology, or a related field
• At least one year of experience providing supervision and support for secondary and/or gap year students between the ages of 13 – 18.
• Experience working with groups of students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and abilities.
• Ability to uphold a high standard of confidentiality about student records and other sensitive information.
• Hold a current and valid Basic First Aid and CPR certification from the American Red Cross, or able to obtain one no later than the position start date
• Experience in conflict resolution, group facilitation, and/or teaching
• Ability to connect well with people and develop strong mentoring relationships with high school students
• Physically prepared and emotionally well-equipped to withstand demanding work over consecutive days in an intense environment
• Valid USA Driver’s License, with driving record clear of accidents or issued tickets
• A willingness to drive a SEA van for transporting students

*Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree

Preferred:

• Previous employment experience in camp, pre-college, or outdoor educational programs
• Training in Mental Health awareness and support
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training (student health/medical liaison positions)
• Food service experience and current ServSafe Food Handler and/or Allergens trainings (steward positions)

Compensation

Proctor Ocean Classroom Program Assistant Salary: $684 per week (24/7). Housing and food are provided when in the program.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to pasearch@sea.edu. Please state in the email subject: Proctor Ocean Classroom Program Assistant Position

Review of applications will begin on March 25 and will continue until all positions are filled.