Employer: Rocking the Boat
Email Address: matt@rockingtheboat.org
Website: https://rockingtheboat.org/
Position Title: Director of Boatbuilding
Compensation/Rate: $85,000-$100,000
Location: South Bronx, NY
Position Summary:
Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool project for high school students in the South Bronx and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of over $5 million, is a hub of youth development programming that serves nearly 5,000 community members annually across three locations. The mediums of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing are paired with social-emotional, academic, and career counselling by a team of licensed social workers to have profound and lasting impact on participants.
Position Summary
The Director of Boatbuilding coordinates all boatbuilding-related activities and infrastructure and manages all boatbuilding staff. This includes leading a series of year-round high school Boatbuilding Youth Development Programs, managing all wooden boatbuilding materials, tools, and equipment, and ensuring the regular maintenance and upkeep of Rocking the Boat’s fleet of wooden rowing and sailing boats. The position manages a full-time Boatbuilding Program Manager and Boat Maintenance Assistant, up to four part-time Program Assistants (alumni of the program), and up to 12 active program apprentices. The Director of Boatbuilding must be an experienced staff, shop, and project manager, technically skilled in wooden boatbuilding, and able to successfully teach students to become proficient wooden boatbuilders while integrating youth development methodology. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the position works roughly 12pm to 8pm during the 13 week-long spring and fall semesters and roughly 9am to 5pm throughout the rest of the year.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Execution: Ensuring the development, planning, management, and implementation of a comprehensive boatbuilding-based youth development and job readiness program
• Improves and ensures the successful delivery of the Boatbuilding Program curriculum centered on building and maintaining a fleet of wooden rowing and sailing boats
• Oversees the Boatbuilding Program Manager in recruiting ninth and tenth graders for the Student Boatbuilding Program and ensuring full enrollment of 16 students in each of three annual semesters
• Leads instruction of a Youth Development Boatbuilding Program for high school students
• Supports all boatbuilding-related components of middle school after-school and summer programs and other small group programs throughout the year
• Assesses participants’ individual achievement of a series of technical skills
• Incorporates principles of positive youth development in program planning and delivery
• Collaborates with other Program staff and Social Workers on program development and shared programming and training opportunities
• Develops and leads day and overnight trips designed to introduce participants to related professional opportunities
• Participates in monitoring and evaluation exercises designed to assess programmatic success
• Fulfills all programmatic content and schedule commitments to dedicated funding sources
Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety: Ensuring that the physical resources are in place to provide safe and successful programming
• Organizes, manages, and maintains Rocking the Boat’s shop, tools, and other equipment, including managing purchasing and inventory
• Sources all wooden boatbuilding materials including local oak and cedar
• Oversees the maintenance of Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing and sailing fleet
• Follows, enforces, and ensures boatbuilding staff and participants adhere to safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues
Staff Supervision and Development: Ensuring that Instructors and Program Assistants are able to successfully support program activities
• Hires, trains and manages a Sailing Program Manager to deliver high school youth development boatbuilding program
• Provides ongoing management, sailing, and safety training for all Boatbuilding staff
Program Administration: Ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of information and data necessary to deliver successful programs
• Maintains accurate participant records including attendance, technical, academic, and social-emotional skill accomplishment and other information
• Supports the Development team with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements
• Assists in budget development and tracks program budget; sources and purchases needed materials and equipment within the parameters established in annual budgets; provides timely and accurate accounting of all expenses
Cross-Organization Support: Contributing to the promotion and smooth operations of the organization
• Participates in fundraising activities as requested
• Contributes to the maintenance of shared resources
• Manages program volunteers and hosts visitors
• Participates in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat
Qualifications
• Demonstrable experience building and repairing traditional wooden boats and managing a shop
• Experience in managing complex, multi-faceted projects
• Experience or interest in working with youth in a non-traditional educational setting
• Experience managing students or supervising employees
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, collaborative team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in basic computer applications
• Willingness to work long days and weekends, as necessary
• Valid driver’s license
Rocking the Boat offers:
• Full-time salaried position: $75,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience
• Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) with 6% employer match after first year
• 38 days paid time off (including sick and holidays)
• Unlimited access to Rocking the Boat’s 3,000 square foot professional grade boatbuilding shop
• Unlimited use of Rocking the Boat’s fleet of over 60 rowing, sailing, and powerboats including student-built boats such as 20 14- and 17- foot Whitehalls, two gaff-rigged Connecticut River Drag boats, a replica Herreshoff 12½, and a fleet of modern sailing dinghies and support RIBs
• Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to community development and youth empowerment
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility at Rocking the Boat:
Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility of all applicants and employees. The organization strives not only to accept but to affirm and celebrate all identities. Race, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status are not barriers to employment at Rocking the Boat. Please feel welcome to communicate any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.
To apply:
To apply please send a detailed cover letter describing how your experience aligns with the role and a resume to Matt Hatcher, Chief Program Officer, at matt@rockingtheboat.org with Director of Boatbuilding as the subject.