Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool program 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 in New York City and San Francisco. The mediums of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing are paired with social-emotional, academic, and career counselling by a team of licensed social workers and a college counselor to have a profound and lasting impact on participants.
Position Summary
The Director of Boatbuilding coordinates all boatbuilding-related activities and infrastructure across the organization and manages all boatbuilding staff. This includes leading the year-round high school Boatbuilding Youth Development Programs, supporting the boatbuilding and carpentry components of Middle School and Public Programs, managing the sourcing and maintenance of all wooden boatbuilding materials, tools, and equipment, and supervising the maintenance and upkeep of Rocking the Boat's fleet of wooden rowing and sailing boats. The position manages three full-time staff: two Boatbuilding Program Managers and Boat Maintenance Assistant and supports the Program Managers in supervising their respective Program Assistants and apprentices. The Director of Boatbuilding must be an experienced leader with significant staff supervision, shop, and project management skills, a technically proficient wooden boatbuilder, and have program administration experience that supports the successful oversight of a suite of wooden boatbuilding-based youth development programs. The position reports to the Chief Youth Development Officer and is a full-time, exempt position.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Execution
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Ensures the development, planning, management, and implementation of a comprehensive boatbuilding-based youth development and job readiness program
Oversees two Boatbuilding Program Managers in their respective roles:
Student Program Manager - -leads an introductory boatbuilding-based youth development program for 9th and 10th graders over three annual semesters
Job Skills Program Manager - - leads an advanced boatbuilding-based job readiness program for 11th and 12th graders
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Oversees all program design and delivery in both Student and Job Skills programs, formally incorporating the technical skills and principles of positive youth development codified in Rocking the Boat's boatbuilding curriculum
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Supports the Middle School Program Manager in developing and delivering the Boatbuilding component of the Middle School Program (10 weeks of curriculum in the school year and 1-2 days per week during the 6-week summer semester)
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Supports Public Programs with project preparation and curriculum development for their day-time work with visiting school groups
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Collaborates with other Program staff and the Youth Services team on program development, shared programming, individual participant support, and cross-organizational training opportunities
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Oversees trip planning for day and overnight off-site excursions designed to introduce participants to related professional opportunities; attends relevant day trips and overnight trips including the Wooden Boat Show and the bi-annual Teaching with Small Boats Alliance conference
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Ensures that the Student and Job Skills programs are being continuously monitored and evaluated for successful delivery and optimal participant impact
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Makes certain that all programmatic activities and commitments to dedicated funding sources are met
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In the event of staff vacancies, ensures programmatic continuity
Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety
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Organizes, manages, and maintains Rocking the Boat's shop, tools, and other equipment, including managing purchasing and inventory
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Sources all wooden boatbuilding materials including purchasing and, when possible, arranging for donations of local oak and cedar; this includes coordinating with landowners and portable sawmill operators as well as identifying pre-milled stock
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Oversees asset management of Rocking the Boat's active fleet of 20 wooden rowing boats and six sailboats, two powerboats, and rowing and sailing equipment which includes:
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Ongoing fleet repair and maintenance
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Large scale repair and restoration work as needed
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Preparing boats as necessary for fundraising and other promotional purposes
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Marketing and any restoration needed to sell or donate boats no longer in use
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Follows, enforces, and ensures boatbuilding staff and participants adhere to safety protocols; continually reviews and improves protocols as necessary
Staff Supervision and Development
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Hires, trains and supervises two Boatbuilding Program Managers and Boat Maintenance Assistant
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Provides ongoing management, training and guidance for the Boatbuilding team and shop safety training for all staff
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Supports the success of the Boatbuilding team in the following ways:
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Develops systems for managers to track participants' technical skills progression
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Creates and maintains realistic timelines for project completion
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Provides team supervision around time management, balancing competing priorities, and maintaining sustainable workloads
Program Administration
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Ensures the Boatbuilding Department maintains accurate participant records including attendance, technical skills development, and other data needed to support program delivery and communicate impact externally
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Supports the Development team with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements
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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-Organizational Support
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Participates in fundraising activities as requested
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Contributes to the maintenance of shared resources
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Manages program volunteers and hosts visitors
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Participates in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat
Qualifications
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Demonstrable experience building and repairing traditional wooden boats and managing a dynamic shop environment
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Experience in managing complex, multi-faceted projects
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Experience or interest in working with youth in a non-traditional educational setting
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Experience managing and supervising employees• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
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Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, collaborative team
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
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Proficiency in basic computer applications
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Willingness to work long days and weekends, as necessary
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Valid driver's license
Rocking the Boat offers:
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Full-time salaried position: $90,000 - 100,000, commensurate with experience
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Benefits package including Health, Vision, Dental and 401k with 6% employer match after first year of employment
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Paid Time Off
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Vacation: 23 days; increase to 28 days after three years
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NYS Sick and Safe Time: 40 hours
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Holidays: 10 days
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Compensatory time for work on weekends, holidays, and overnight trips
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Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to staff well-being, sustainable work practices, and a workplace culture that values open communication and staff perspective
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Rocking the Boat
Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging 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
Please send a cover letter and resume to Ali Abate, Chief Youth Development Officer at
[email protected] with "Director of Boatbuilding" as the subject.
