Job Title: INSTRUCTOR
Location: Hamble, SO31 4RA
Reporting To: Principal
Start Date: Flexible
Employment Type: Employed or Self-Employed (to be agreed)
About Chieftain Training
Chieftain Training is a specialist provider of marine training courses, including STCW, RYA, and bespoke programmes tailored to both leisure and commercial seafarers. With centres in Hamble, Southampton, London, and Helensburgh, we deliver high-impact training to workboat, yachting and water sports professionals.
Role Overview
This is a full-time, permanent position. It is ideal for someone looking to transition ashore after time at sea or for someone already based ashore. We operate a 5-day working week, which includes some weekends (time off in lieu provided). Most courses follow standard office hours, though some RYA practical courses include a night exercise. Instructors are not generally expected to take on 24/7 skipper responsibilities — our practical courses return to base each night.
As a full time Instructor you will deliver a range of courses based on your own background and expertise. We are happy to retrain candidates with the right background in either RYA or STCW disciplines.
Alternatively, we will consider a hybrid Instructor/Bosun role, where approximately 60% of your time is dedicated to instructing and 40% to vessel maintenance, coding compliance, and related tasks (or another similar balance).
Key Responsibilities
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Deliver RYA and/or STCW training courses
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Contribute to the development of new training materials and courses
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Take ownership of course manuals, exam papers, and training resources within your area of expertise (to be agreed with the Principal)
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Support wider business activities as needed
Additional Responsibilities
As a small and dynamic organisation, all team members contribute across a range of functions based on their individual strengths. Additional duties may be assigned in line with your experience and business requirements.
Person Specification
Essential:
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Excellent customer service skills
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Significant instructing experience in the marine sector
Plus at least two of the following:
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MCA Chief Mate (Yacht), OOW (Unlimited), Master 500 (Workboat), or higher
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MCA Chief Engineer (Y4), Small Vessel Second Engineer, EOOW (Merchant), or higher
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RYA Trainer (Powerboat, PWC, Motor Cruising, Shorebased, and/or Dinghy)
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Extensive experience instructing in the RYA Powerboat or Motor Cruising scheme
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Extensive experience instructing multiple RYA shorebased courses
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Proven experience as a Fire Fighter
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Proven experience as a Paramedic, EMT, A&E Nurse, RN Medic or ship board Medical Officer
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Operational experience in the UK Search and Rescue (SAR) sector
Additional Requirements:
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Strong written communication skills
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Confident user of common office software
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Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
This role can be offered on either an employed or self-employed basis.
We’re Looking at More Than Just a CV
At Chieftain Training, we’re not just hiring an instructor — we’re looking for the right person to join our team. If you’ve made mistakes, learned from them, and grown into someone who brings energy, professionalism, and a great attitude to the classroom, we want to hear from you. Experience and qualifications matter — but personality and work ethics come first.
Terms of Employment
Location: Chieftain Training, Hamble. Occasional work may be required at Chieftain Training Southampton depending on your background. Remote work is very minimal.
Hours: Full-time, 5 days per week. Some weekend work is required (time off in lieu applies).
Holiday: 28 days (including bank holidays), with a fixed Christmas shutdown.
Training: Access to several free staff training courses.
Staff Discount: Family discounts on course fees.
Dress Code: Casual.
Benefits: Free parking, tax-efficient employee perks, pension scheme
Salary: Dependent on experience. As our person specification casts a wide net, the salary range is correspondingly broad. We are happy to discuss salary expectations at an early stage once we’ve reviewed your particular background.
How to Apply
To apply for the position of Full-Time Instructor or Senior Instructor, please complete our application form.
If you have any questions or would like an informal chat, contact Doug Innes at:recruitment@chieftain.training