Are YOU EXPEDITION READY?
Below is an expedition-specific aptitude questionnaire, designed to help us understand how you respond to children, family life, adventure, and life at sea. This isn’t your average application and we’re not looking for someone to check boxes.
There are right answers in life, but for this, the “right” answer might be the wrong one. All you need to do is be honest and have fun. Life aboard a boat is romantic, beautiful, deeply personal, and at times intense, so we want to make sure we all are a right fit for each other, not just you being a right fit for us!
Please take the time to read the whole job description below. I know it is a little long-winded but the information is very important.
Direct Support Professional (DSP) & Liveaboard Expedition Crew
Location: Live aboard a 60-foot sailboat while circumnavigating the globe
Start Date: Flexible (late 2025 target)
Commitment: 12 months preferred
Compensation: $24 per hour (40 hours per week)
Benefits: Included
NOTE:
All compensation and benefits are handled through a third-party agency. There will be no financial arrangements directly between us.
Additional details about the compensation package and living expenses are available upon request or during our conversation.
About the Role
We are the Osbornes, a family of five (Paul 48, Val 43, Roake 10, Ren 10, Freyja 7) preparing to set out on a global expedition to raise awareness for Down syndrome, including three world record attempts. Our son Ren is 9 years old and has Down syndrome, and is also at the heart of our mission.
We are looking for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to join our crew. What makes this DSP position unique is that it takes place aboard a 60-foot sailboat that is sailing around the world, and both parents will be present and actively involved. This is a family-based and deeply relational role.
Yes, you will be part of the crew, but more importantly, you will be part of the family. This is not clinical care. It is about being the steady, trusted presence Ren needs to stay safe and make good choices.
About Ren
Ren is a typical 9-year-old who thrives on connection and being part of whatever adventure is unfolding around him. He is communicative, curious, and deeply joyful. While he has Down syndrome, it is important to clarify that he does not typically exhibit the challenging behaviors often associated with some special needs profiles.
The most important safety consideration in Ren’s care is elopement. Elopement is the tendency to leave a safe space or supervised area without permission or the awareness of danger. If not closely supervised, he may suddenly run or wander off without warning, often driven by excitement, curiosity, or sensory interest. On the boat, all of our children are tethered with sailing harnesses whenever on deck while underway. On land, your primary responsibility will be maintaining strong situational awareness and helping guide Ren in making safe choices.
Your role is not “watching Ren”, it is about helping him live his best life while staying safe and experiencing freedom, adventure, and connection. You are not just there to prevent elopement. You are there to help create an environment where Ren can thrive, explore, and fully participate in this journey, knowing someone has his back.
What Does a Job on a Sailing Expedition Look Like
This is not a 24/7 job, and you will not be alone. We are Ren’s parents, and we will always be aboard and actively involved. Your role is to support us by being Ren’s DSP, which in this case means helping him safely navigate daily life.
You will have downtime, personal space, a beautiful tan, and plenty of support. We want you to have the time of your life, and we will do everything we can to make that possible. You will have opportunities to explore destinations around the world with and without us. We hope that when you look back on your time aboard, it will be one of the fondest memories of your life.
Life aboard is organic and flexible, a blend of adventure, routine, and shared responsibility. We are setting out for this to be fun, as fun as we can make it. This is our life too. We are not asking you to come work for us. We are asking you to join us.
Your duties will include:
Supporting Ren with play, interaction, and safety
Maintaining situational awareness, especially in public or unfamiliar settings
Being a warm, steady presence during meals, transitions, and downtime
One thing to note: this is not a cruise. Everyone on board helps out. This is not part of the paid DSP role. It is just part of boat life. You will be part of the crew, so we expect a spirit of contribution when it comes to tidying up, preparing meals, standing watch (if you are comfortable), and pitching in if an all-hands-on-deck situation arises.
You will not be responsible for sailing the boat or managing expedition logistics unless you want to. That is on us. We will also check in regularly to make sure you are supported, too. You are not an employee. You are becoming part of a team that looks out for each other.
What We Are Looking For
Someone who loves adventure, fun, and travel
A calm, emotionally intelligent adult who can connect with a child
Experience with or a deep understanding of neurodiversity and disability support
The ability to remain composed and functional under stress
A team mindset with no ego and no drama, just people living their best life together
Someone who brings peace into a space, not tension
You do not have to be a sailor, but you do have to be an adventurer. What is most important is that you are dependable, present, and kind.
When the going gets tough
Our deepest hope for this expedition is that it is filled with joy, play, purpose, and discovery. But it will also challenge us in ways most people never experience. Life aboard a boat sailing around the world is unlike anything else. It means tight quarters, unpredictable moments, and the kind of living that requires emotional maturity, patience, and heart. In addition to the conventional ups and downs of boat life, we are also going to be sailing from Antarctica to the Arctic, which is why we created an Expedition Readiness Questionnaire.
While it is important who you are when everything is going right, we need to know how you respond when things feel like utter chaos. Our goal is for most of this trip to be the best moments of our lives, but there will be moments that are not, and those moments may go beyond a lot of people’s comfort zone.
This is not about having the right answers. It is about knowing who you are, how you show up when it counts, and whether this journey is right for you.
How to Join Us
No résumé required. If this speaks to your heart, we would love to hear from you. Start with the questionnaire, then we will talk. We will set up a time to connect, share more details, and walk through next steps, including the possibility of speaking or meeting with Ren’s current DSP to see what it really looks like, or even a trial period before committing.