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Sustainable System Teacher ( Engineer/ Technician)
The Island School
North Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Posted on Mar 14, 2026
Job Description
Sustainable Systems Teacher (Technician/Engineer)
Cape Eleuthera Institute
Island School Organization Overview
The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, was founded in 1999 to create and support transformational educational experiences with the mission of leadership effecting change. The diverse CEIS educational initiatives, including the Island School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, the Elementary Learning Center, and Community Outreach, deliver unique education in
partnership with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research, sustainable development and innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute.
The Big “WE”: The Island School operates as a close-knit, mission-driven, island-based educational community. Collaboration, flexibility, and shared responsibility are central to our work with students and to life on campus.
Educators work closely across programs, age groups, and departments, supporting students through interdisciplinary learning, shared supervision, and community events. Teaching Fellows are supported by experienced educators and are encouraged to grow into this collaborative culture with guidance, mentorship, and clear communication.
This community-based approach is a defining feature of employment at The Island School and an essential part of our educational mission.
Job Summary
The Island School’s growing campus includes a collection of more than 20 buildings functioning together with shared infrastructure and shared physical resources. We operate in a remote location with a mission of sustainable living, aiming to minimize our environmental footprint while providing our community with access to clean electricity, clean water, waste disposal, clean transportation, and comfortable living conditions.
Water resource systems at The Island School include rainwater capture and storage, well pumping, a small reverse osmosis plant, and UV sterilization. We manage our wastewater with septic beds, aerobic biofiltration, and artificial wetlands. Our renewable energy portfolio includes grid-tied solar, battery energy storage (BESS), a small wind turbine, and a legacy of waste-to-energy (WTE) systems including biodiesel and anaerobic digestion. Other built systems on campus provide support for a marine research laboratory, a boathouse and dive shop, a kitchen and dining hall, a waste management bay, and an operations compound with automotive repair, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and logistics.
Our Sustainable Systems Technician devises new and innovative approaches to maintain, manage, and enhance our built environment, including the renewable energy and water resource systems that connect people with addressing climate change adaptation, resiliency, and sustainable development. While not expected to be a subject matter expert in all areas, you are expected to solve problems and initiate projects, be well-organized and resilient, produce results, and build support for your work. You must be willing to stretch beyond a traditional job description as you live and work closely with the local community and students ages 3 to PhD-level enrolled in programs at The Island School, and have a passion for community engagement, sustainability, and environmental conservation. You will report directly to the Systems Engineer
and work in a team environment with the research & education teams throughout The Island School. You should be excited about working at a non-traditional academic institution that believes in integrating education of every level into applied research and being a model for sustainable development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of student educational programming in sustainable systems, including an Island School Student Research Project each semester
- Advise and educate the wider Island School community on our sustainability initiatives, including through the collaborative development of new sustainability targets at The Island School
- Use technical skills, background knowledge, engineering principles, and a hands-on approach to maintain, monitor, operate, and troubleshoot existing built systems at The Island School
- Create system documentation, including process flow schematics, plumbing and electrical drawings, operations manuals, and troubleshoot guides, using computer-aided design software and productivity software
- Perform data collection, monitoring, and analysis of campus systems and resources, and deliver updates and technical reports to advise on operations activities and new projects
- Attend meetings with the Systems Engineer, Facilities Director, and COO, to plan, delegate, and execute tasks related to our built systems and wider campus infrastructure
- Research and identify opportunities for new projects and investments in water procurement and treatment, wastewater management, and solid waste management
- Assist the preparation of bid packages, permitting, and materials procurement for new projects
- Act as project manager for various projects when requested
- Develop collaborations between The Island School research & education staff, as well as external science-based, technical, and vocational entities, to investigate new and innovative opportunities within sustainable water, energy, and waste management
- Assist with grant writing and grant proposals, and lead budget and production forecasting
- Assist with education initiatives for our partnerships and visiting programs
- Assist with the recruiting, orienting, and mentoring of junior staff and interns
- Represent the organization at national and international events when applicable
- Assist in public dissemination of The Island School’s work in sustainable systems, including collaboration with our communications department and preparation of social media content
Other Duties
Please note that this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time, with the needs of the organization. Staff with additional specialist skills that may benefit other parts of the organization will be expected to assist activities in these areas, for example:
- Skilled trade certifications (welding, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, etc)
- Dive professionals (PADI Divemaster/Instructor or equivalent; Freediver Instructor)
- Certified boating, sailing or kayaking instructors
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or Wilderness Medicine specialists
- Certified or Experienced Educators
Skills and Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education
- Associate’s degree (or higher) or equivalent education in Mechanical, Environmental, Civil, Chemical or Electrical Engineering or related sciences is preferred. In lieu of education, a minimum of 2-4 years of experience in water resources technology, wastewater management, energy, or other relevant fields
- Industry-recognized training credentials are a plus, for example certification from National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) or equivalent
Experience and skills
- Exceptional ability to use systems-based thinking, analytical skills, and troubleshooting to solve problems
- Good working knowledge of the technical aspects of water and wastewater systems, energy systems, or other engineered systems
- Experience delivering turn-key solutions or completed projects, for example within an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) team
- Ability to collect and analyze data to make evidence-based arguments, for example through experimental design, spreadsheet analytics, mathematical modeling, or similar
- Ability to interpret technical literature including plumbing, electrical, structural, and architectural drawings, and equipment installation and operations manuals
- Ability or desire to work hands-on with tools and construction materials, for example completion of plumbing, electrical, and mechanical tasks
- Strong project management skills and organization
- Ability to categorize and mitigate risk
Communication Skills
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, oral and written
- Confidence speaking publicly, delivering presentations, and managing a classroom
- Can adapt communication style to different educational audiences
- Strong scientific or technical writing, reporting, and documentation
- Experience writing research grants, funding proposals, project proposals, and budgets
- The ability to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplined team
Software and Computing Skills
- Google Suite and Microsoft Office
- Strong command of spreadsheet software
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Familiarity with simulation software or modeling tools (solar design, water systems, etc)
- Familiarity with programming languages or web development a plus
Driving skills
- Must have a valid driver’s license
Adaptability
- Able to survive and thrive in a small and tight-knit community located in a remote part of The Bahamas
- Respect for diversity & inclusivity of a multi-national community
- Desire to discuss sustainability through a social lens, including the importance of sustainable development goals and intersectionality
Commitment to Organizational Mission
- This position requires commitment to the wider mission and values of The Cape Eleuthera Island School
Schedule
This is a full-time position with annual review. The Cape Eleuthera Island School and its related divisions operate year-round and working hours vary depending on needs but are typically 40 hours/week, however, evening and weekend work will be required. Special events will require periods of time outside of normal working hours when staff must be on site for extended periods. The successful candidate should expect, and desire to work a variable and mission driven schedule.