boatbuilding job skills program director | job skills social worker

The Boatbuilding Job Skills Program Director manages the after school and summer Boatbuilding Job Skills Program. The Program Director supervises up to 12 Apprentices (16- to 18-year-old alumni of the Student Boatbuilding Program) on a range of boat repair, restoration, and new construction projects forming a comprehensive job readiness experience. The Program Director must be experienced in youth development, technically skilled in carpentry, and willing to learn and master traditional wooden boatbuilding. The ideal candidate has experience managing a small work crew, and is able to balance the accomplishment of tangible boatbuilding goals with successful youth development. Along with successfully developing and running programming, the position is responsible for ensuring that Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing fleet is in good working order. The position reports to the Director of Programs and Operations.

Responsibilities:
Program Development and Execution: Ensuring the planning and implementation of a comprehensive youth development and job training program in traditional wooden boatbuilding and maintenance

• Offers engaging and relevant programs to youth participants centered around building wooden rowing and sailing boats and maintaining Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing fleet
  
• Implements and improves Rocking the Boat’s Technical Skills curriculum and works with participants to demonstrate individual achievement through mastering those skills
  
• Incorporates principals of positive youth development in program planning and delivery
  
• Guides participants in developing a portfolio of their accomplishments in the program for use in post- secondary opportunities
  
• Collaborates with other Program Directors and Social Workers on program development, shared programming, training opportunities, promoting and delivering college and career exploration activities, and other opportunities
  
• Collaborates with the Social Work team to help participants set and achieve academic, technical, and personal goals
  
• 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
  
  

Program Administration: Ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of information and data necessary to deliver successful programs

• Maintains accurate participant records including attendance, technical 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
  

Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety: Ensuring that the physical resources are in place to provide safe and successful programming

• Follows and enforces all Rocking the Boat safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues
  
• Manages and maintains Rocking the Boat’s shop, tools, and materials
  
• Maintains Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing fleet
  

Cross-Organization Support: Contributing to the promotion and smooth operations of the organization

• Supports the Development Department in fund-raising 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
  
  

Requirements:

• Youth development experience
  
• Advanced carpentry skills
  
• Experience managing students or supervising employees
• Experience or desire to be involved in community-oriented education programming
• Strong organizational skills and an 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
  
• Traditional wooden boatbuilding experience a plus
  
• Spanish language skills a plus
  

Workspace:

• Works largely in the woodshop managing staff and facilitating programs
  
• The Director holds their own desk within a shared office in an accessible building; Some entrances and spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders
  
• Lifting and carrying heavy objects, such as wooden rowboats, and using hand and power tools is an important part of the position
  
• Headphones are welcome during periods of independent work
  

Rocking the Boat offers:

• Full-time salaried position: $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience
  
• Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k)
  
• Generous paid time off
  
• 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 program team 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 cover letter and resume to alix@rockingtheboat.org with Boatbuilding Job Skills Program Director as the subject.

The Rocking the Boat Job Skills Social Worker works with approximately 36 high school 11th and 12th grade members of our Boatbuilding, Environmental, and Sailing programs. This role engages in short-term, goal-oriented counseling, provides deeper clinical support when necessary, and offers comprehensive post-secondary guidance to each participant. The position is part of a four-member Social Work team, collaborates with the Program Directors of the Job Skills Boatbuilding, Environmental, and Sailing Programs, and is supervised by Rocking the Boat’s Director of Social Work.

Responsibilities:
Counseling & Group Work

• Outreach to each participant once a week and provide short-term individual counseling as needed
• Meet at least three times per semester with each participant for post high school planning
• Organize and run at least three dynamic social-emotional groups based on participant interest and need each semester; for example past groups have focused on transitions, decision making, self-advocacy, and identity
• In collaboration with the Student Social Worker, plan and facilitate three Friday “Chat n’ Chew” workshops each fall and spring semester featuring experts who can speak to topics relevant to Rocking the Boat participants
• Manage personal crises and make referrals to other supports when necessary
• Support personal growth through setting individual goals at the start of each semester
• Engage schools, families, and other systems in supporting students on a regular basis
• In collaboration with the Social Work team, co-lead twice annual mid-semester Family Nights
• Attend single and multiple-day trips throughout the year

Post-Secondary Support

• Manage a college and post-secondary access program for Rocking the Boat 11th and 12th grade students
• Design and lead workshops for students and families that focus on topics that support preparation for college, trade school, and other post-secondary opportunities
  
• Work individually with students throughout the year to explore post-high school options, plan next steps, and offer regular support filling out applications and financial aid forms
  
• Explore scholarship opportunities and review financial aid packages with high school seniors and their families
  
• Work with families to address and resolve individual academic and financial issues causing barriers to college enrollment
  
• Develop and maintain relationships with a network of colleges and post-secondary training organizations
  
• Coordinate and lead a week of local daytrips to New York City and regional colleges during spring break and a four-day overnight trip to New York State colleges for juniors during their February break
  

Program Administration

• Participate in an evaluation process with participants and Program Directors at the end of each semester
• Participate in interviews with Program Directors for rising Job Skills Apprentices
  
• Update participant information as it changes and record all interactions in Salesforce database
• Assist Development staff in collecting student data and sharing stories for reports and proposals

Intern Supervision

• Supervise and support an MSW intern

Requirements:

• Registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW)
  
• Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred
  
• Minimum three years post-graduate work experience
  
• Preference will be given to candidates who have experience counseling youth in NYC around the college application and financial aid processes, and who have knowledge of local, regional, and national higher education systems
• A strong commitment to youth development, social justice, and anti-racist practice
  
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to work independently
  
• Willingness to work in a non-traditional clinical setting
  
• Flexibility and desire to work as part of a youth development team
  
• Excellent communications skills
  
• Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean driving record a plus

Rocking the Boat offers:

• Full-time, $50,000-$55,000 salaried position
• Generous vacation package
  
• Full benefits package including dental, FSA, and a matching 401(k) plan
  
• Weekly supervision with opportunity to accrue hours toward LCSW licensure
  
• Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to youth development and 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 program team 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 email cover letters and resumes to Xiomara Ayala at xiomara@rockingtheboat.org.