MarineQuest Summer Program Day Staff 2026

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

MarineQuest summer program instructors lead informal educational and recreational marine science activities with youth (ages 4 - 17) for individual and group participation. Instructors are expected to lead program activities in various settings, including UNCW academic labs, classrooms, beaches, marsh, docks, and other public marine science sites. Successful candidates are placed in age-specific program lines or specialty teaching roles (except for the equipment manager) where they will learn multiple curriculums; learn more about each programming line here.

Please note, this is a temporary position. The length of the assignment will be based on department needs with the possibility of continuation. Employees in temporary positions are not considered permanent state employees and do not earn leave. Temporary employees are subject to the Affordable Care Act guidelines.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 9, 2026 and will continue to be monitored until all positions are filled. The first offers will be given in mid-March. Pay varies by position and is based on qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.