Interested in working on the water and teaching students about environmental stewardship and Baltimore history aboard traditional Chesapeake Bay vessels?

Interested in working on the water & teaching students about environmental stewardship & Baltimore history aboard traditional Chesapeake Bay vessels?

The Living Classrooms Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing experiential education and job training, with particular attention to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Since 1985, Maritime Education has offered students distinctive, hands-on programs that focus on practical learning in disciplines such as mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, and interpersonal skills. Program formats vary, including one-day expeditions for school and youth groups as well as extended shipboard and combined land/sea experiences.

Participants gain insight into the real-world application of academic concepts. Leadership development and teamwork are emphasized through collaborative activities, including sail operation, marine life trawling, scientific analysis, and exploration of the commerce, history, natural resources, and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay.

The majority of programming during the 2026 season will cater to students, private evening charters, and weekend programs in the Baltimore Harbor and Patapsco River. In addition, longer overnight sailing, camping, and live-aboard trips will take groups as far as southern Maryland and Washington DC.

Teacher/Naturalist Job Openings

The Educational Coordinator oversees and implements Maritime Education programs.

Educational Coordinators
The Educational Coordinator oversees and implements Maritime Education programs, including day trips and overnight trips on vessels, land/sea programs, charters, and virtual programs. On-water programs are aboard one of the Foundation’s vessels, Lady Maryland (an authentic reproduction of a Chesapeake Bay pungy schooner), Sigsbee (a Chesapeake Bay skipjack, an indigenous vessel designed and built to dredge for oysters), or Mildred Belle (an authentic Chesapeake Bay “buyboat”).

Additionally, the Educational Coordinator is responsible for contacting the school/group prior to their scheduled trip and tailoring the educational programs based on participants’ needs. The Educational Coordinator role requires experience developing and implementing group management techniques. This is critical for successful implementation of programs where the Educational Coordinator serves as manager of participants (students, interns, additional staff) and crew.

• View a detailed Educational Coordinator job description here

The Educator/Deckhand assists in the implementation of Maritime Education programs, including day trips on vessels, land/sea programs, charters, and virtual programs.

Deckhand/Educators
The Deckhand/Educator assists in the implementation of Maritime Education programs, including day trips on vessels, land/sea programs, charters, and virtual programs. On-water programs are aboard one of the Foundation’s vessels, Lady Maryland (an authentic reproduction of a Chesapeake Bay pungy schooner), Sigsbee (a Chesapeake Bay skipjack, an indigenous vessel designed and built to dredge for oysters), or Mildred Belle (an authentic Chesapeake Bay “buyboat”).

Educational day trips are typically 3-5 hours long and serve up to 30 students per day (typically 4th-8th graders). E-STEM programs are designed to introduce students to the environmental and ecological significance of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Among the many activities onboard, students learn about water quality, oysters, estuarine ecology, navigation, weather, plankton and the economics and history of the Bay. Each boat trawls for fish and occasionally dredges for oysters. These history-based programs are run in conjunction with the National Parks Service at Fort McHenry and focus on the Battle of Baltimore and the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Region. Each crew member is an active participant in all programming and is expected to teach every day.

• View a detailed Deckhand/Educator job description here

All crew members are expected to help with vessel maintenance.

All crew members are expected to help with vessel maintenance. There are times during the season where you may be expected to help during annual yard periods, when the boats are hauled out of the water. Maintaining wooden boats in top condition is hard work and these yard periods are often full of long, dirty, physically taxing days.

Time Commitment

Staff training involves field trips, lectures, sailing, emergency drills, games, and teaching practice.

Most positions are full-time seasonal jobs with a work contract from March 2nd to November 24th, 2026. The Lady Maryland summer crew contract is May 11th to August 14th, 2026. Preference is given to those who can work the entire season; however, there are opportunities for individuals who need/want to join the team for just the spring, summer and/or fall seasons. The typical work schedule is MO-FR, 8:30am-4:30pm with some evening and weekend work.

Crew Member Overview: check out what lies ahead

Staff training will take place over a solid two weeks, usually the third and fourth weeks of March. It will involve field trips, lectures, sailing, emergency drills, games, and teaching practice. There will also be scattered maintenance because that’s what boats need!

Perks & Rewards

You will be expected to teach every day.

Pay starts at $15/hour plus housing is offered for all crew members and includes some meals. Lady Maryland crew live on the vessel and receive most meals from the ship's cook. Housing is available to Sigsbee and Mildred Belle crew members in recently renovated crew quarters. Lunches will be provided during every workday. However, Sigsbee and Mildred Belle crew members are on their own for other meals.

2026 Salaries
• Mates and Educational Coordinators: $1,320/bi-weekly ($16.50/hour)
• Deckhand/Educators: $1,200/bi-weekly ($15/hour)
• Lady Maryland Summer Crew: $1,200/bi-weekly ($15/hour)
• Lady Maryland Cook: $1320/bi-weekly ($16.50/hour)

Teaching stations will rotate so that no one has to teach the same lessons day after day.

Tangible Perks
• If you don't already know how to sail, they will teach you!
• There is employer paid parking in a private garage near the boat dock for anyone who needs or wants to bring a vehicle
• Paid Wilderness First Aid (WFA) CPR/AED training course with SOLO Outdoor School
• Paid sick time is provided
• Opportunity to purchase discounted health insurance
• Discounts from local merchants and big retailers like REI, West Marine, and Patagonia
• Crew outings include field trips to local attractions like Fort McHenry, the Port of Baltimore, Domino Sugar Factory, nuclear cargo ship Savannah, annual Orioles baseball game, crab feast, and others TBD.

Intangible Perks
• Opportunity to live in the historic Fell's Point neighborhood in downtown Baltimore!
• Live on the water near to bars/restaurants, museums, public parks, and get a front row seat to yearly festivals like Fleet Week, 4th of July Celebration, Fell's Point Funfest, Pirates of Baltimore Festival and many others
• Learn to sail, camp, and travel in the Chesapeake and mid-Atlantic region!

Situated in Baltimore's historic Fell's Point waterfront neighborhood, you'll have access to lively bars, restaurants, parks, museums, and nearby attractions. The stunning harbor view is especially captivating at night. Imagine wandering along cobblestone streets during your free time, exploring maritime museums, relaxing in public parks, admiring monuments and art installations, browsing quaint music shops, enjoying dinners out, and sampling local draft beers at neighborhood pubs.

The Essentials

If you don't already know how, they will teach you to sail!

To be successful at Living Classrooms, applicants should be flexible, inventive, hard-working, and adventurous. High energy, dedication, enthusiasm, flexibility, organization, professionalism, and a strong work ethic are required to lead Maritime Education programs.

The Fine Print
• You will be expected to teach every day. Teaching stations will rotate so that no one has to teach the same lessons day after day.
• You are required to have current CPR/first aid certification (provided at no charge for those who do not have it).
• To be officially employed you must first pass an initial Coast Guard regulated drug test and then be in a random testing pool throughout your employment.
• Everyone who is hired will undergo finger printing and a background check (at employer's expense) since you will be working with children.
• You must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Your First Move & Connections

Maritime Education is seeking individuals who are curious, thoughtful, self-motivated, and open to new experiences!

Individuals who are curious, thoughtful, self-motivated, and open to new experiences are invited to submit their resume and cover letter (including a brief statement detailing your interest in joining the team) to Allie Kryjak. Upon receiving your application, Allie will promptly reach out to arrange a conversation by phone, Zoom, or in person if you are located near Baltimore, Maryland.

2026 Educator Hiring Update
• LIving Classrooms has successfully filled all of their crew positions for the 2026 season. Check back in early November when recruitment begins for the 2027 season.

Allie Kryjak
Program Coordinator
Living Classrooms: Maritime Education
1417 Thames St
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 961-9931
akryjak@livingclassrooms.org
LivingClassrooms.org

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