bronx job openings
director of sailing
Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as an afterschool boatbuilding 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 $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. Rocking the Boat became an accredited U.S. Sailing Community Sailing Center in 2018.
Position Summary
The Director of Sailing coordinates all sailing-related activities and infrastructure and manages three full-time programmatic and operations sailing staff. This includes supervising two year-round out-of-school time Sailing Youth Development Programs and the sailing component of a third, overseeing various short-term learn-to-sail programs, acting as the On-Water Safety Officer, and ensuring the successful maintenance, upkeep, and safe operation of all sailing related equipment. The position manages programs that serve up to 52 middle school and high school-aged participants at a time. The Director must be a seasoned manager and program administrator, sailing instructor, and waterfront operations coordinator, who is able to successfully lead a sailing-based youth development program. The position reports to the Chief Youth Development Officer and is a full-time, exempt position.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Execution
- Develops and ensures the successful delivery of the Sailing Program curriculum for middle school and high school participants with the goal of offering engaging and relevant programs in sailing and sailing instruction
- Oversees two Sailing Program Managers in their respective roles:
- Student Sailing Program Manager -- recruits and manages 9th and 10th graders for the Student Sailing Program and ensuring full enrollment of 16 students in each of three annual semesters
- Job Skills Sailing Program Manager -- manages 11th and 12th graders that are part of the paid Apprentice/Job Skills Sailing program, including managing their transition from the Student Program to Job Skills Program in 11th grade
- Supports the Job Skills Program Manager in ensuring that all Sailing apprentices are trained for and receive a US Sailing level 1 instructor certification and participate in a tall-ship expedition program before they graduate
- Oversees sailing component of the Middle School Program
- Leads planning for large group, multi-day sailing-related trips, ensuring smooth trip logistics, on-water safety, and robust youth participation; currently includes a multi-day summer trip for 9th and 10th grade students, a multi-day fall weekend for sailing apprentices at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, and a single-day rowing expedition for the entire Rocking the Boat participant community
- Manages staff who lead all other sailing-related activities including the summer Community Sailing Program on summer Saturdays, Alumni Sailing, and other small group sailing programs throughout the season
- Develops opportunities for Rocking the Boat youth sailors to race with each other and people from other communities
- Collaborates with other Program and Youth Services staff on curriculum development, shared programming, and training opportunities
- Maintains strong relationships with the local sailing community and plans relevant field trips for participants
- Conducts monitoring and evaluation designed to assess Sailing Program success
Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety
- Maintains and trains relevant staff and participants in Rocking the Boat safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues
- Manages the Marine Operations Assistant regarding ongoing repairs and maintenance of inventory
- Acts as On-Water Safety Officer, overseeing Emergency Action Plan, drills, ensuring that relevant safety protocols are being followed and advises on planning for all on-water excursions beyond the mouth of the Bronx River
- Organizes US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling certifications, Coast Guard Licenses, US Sailing instructor certifications and sea time collection for appropriate staff
- Oversees the management and maintenance of all Rocking the Boat sailing and powerboat program inventory including plastic and fiberglass dinghies (10), wooden sailboats (6), and RIBs (4); other boating equipment such as engines, trailers, dollies, sails, and PFDs; foul weather gear and dry suits; and other infrastructure including floating docks and moorings
Staff Supervision and Development
- Hires, trains and manages Sailing Program Managers, Marine Operations Assistant, and indirectly manages a team of seasonal part-time instructors to deliver high school youth development sailing program
- Provides ongoing management, sailing, and safety training for all Sailing staff
Program Administration
- Maintains accurate participant records including attendance, technical skill accomplishment, participant evaluations and other data
- Supports the Development team with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements
- Leads and fulfills all programmatic commitments to dedicated funding sources
- Assists in annual budget development; 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
- Participates in fundraising activities as requested
- Contributes to the maintenance of shared resources
- Manages Sailing Program volunteers and hosts visitors
- Participates in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat
Qualifications
- US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor
- NY State Boating Safety Certificate or equivalent powerboat driving certificate
- Experience managing sailing education programs; race coaching experience a plus
- Experience managing and maintaining boats and related waterfront equipment and infrastructure
- Experience supervising employees and/or managing students
- Experience or desire to be involved in community-oriented education programming
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, collaborative team
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- Valid driver's license
- Willingness to work long days, weekends, and some overnights, as necessary
- Spanish language competency preferred
- USCG Captain's License preferred
Rocking the Boat offers
- Full-time salaried position: $85,000 - 100,000, commensurate with experience
- Benefits package including Health, Vision, Dental and 401k with 6% employer match after 1 year of employment
- Paid Time Off
- Vacation: 23 days; increase to 28 days after three years
- NYS Sick and Safe Time: 40 hours
- Holidays: 10 days
- Compensatory time for work on weekends, holidays, and overnight trips
- Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to youth development and a culture of 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. Candidates should feel welcome communicating any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.
To apply
Please send a cover letter and resume with the subject "Director of Sailing" to Ali Abate, at ali@rockingtheboat.org.
middle school program manager
Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as an after school boatbuilding 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 $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 Middle School Program Manager oversees the Middle School youth development program - supporting a cohort of up to 24 middle school age students and leading the program that introduces participants to Rocking the Boat’s suite of boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental science programs. The Program Manager must have experience working with a middle school population, a strong foundation in youth development pedagogy, an equity mindset, a background in experiential and STEM education as well as strong leadership and collaborative skills. The program operates after school Monday through Thursday for 13 week-long Fall and Spring semesters and as a seven-week full-day program Mondays through Fridays throughout the summer.
This position is responsible for training and supervising up to 4 college-aged Program Assistants. The Middle School Program Manager works closely with the Directors of Boatbuilding, Environmental Science and Justice, and Sailing, reports to the Chief Youth Development Officer, and is a full-time, exempt role.
Responsibilities:
Program Planning and Delivery
- Coordinates the delivery of core environmental, sailing, rowing, and boatbuilding programming for middle school-aged participants, introducing them to a range of opportunities with the power to significantly broaden their horizons
- Designs, implements and continuously improves lesson plans and curricula that align with Rocking the Boat’s mission and core values and is accessible to diverse learning styles
- Fosters a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students
- Responsible for creating and managing the Program Assistants’ work schedule
- Participates in monitoring and evaluation exercises designed to assess programmatic success
- Designs and leads a variety of challenging and enriching trips for participants; a variety of day trips during the summer and 1 to 2 overnight trips annually
- Collaborates with the Youth Services Department to support participants’ individual and group social and emotional needs
- Responsible for participant retention from one semester to the next and for recruiting new participants with a focus on engaging members of the local community in the South Bronx
- Maintains and develops relationships with families of Middle School participants
Staff Supervision and Development
- Supervise and train of up to 4 Program Assistants
- Provides ongoing management, technical, safety, and youth development training for Program Assistants
Program Administration
- Uses a Salesforce database to maintain accurate participant records including participant and family information, participant attendance, program evaluations, and other data
- Supports the development department with grant proposals and fundraising reporting requirements
- Assists in program budget development; tracks program budget; sources and purchases needed materials and equipment in a timely manner and within the parameters established in annual budgets; provides prompt and accurate accounting of all expenses
Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety
- Follows and enforces all Rocking the Boat safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues
- Ensures appropriate use and care of Rocking the Boat’s boat inventory including wooden rowing craft and other waterfront equipment such as dollies, oars, and personal floatation devices; informs the Director of Boatbuilding of all maintenance and repair needs
- Maintains classroom and equipment used in the classroom, boat shop and for field work
- Keeps CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications current (provided by Rocking the Boat)
Cross-Organization Support
- Supports the Development Department 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
Required
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the field of education or related fields
- Seasoned educator with direct middle school experience and deep understanding of social-emotional learning and development
- Experience leading groups through high-energy, physically challenging activities
- Strategic thinker with experience in program design, curriculum development and lesson planning
- Excellent organizational skills, detail oriented, and an ability to work independently
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- Valid driver’s license
- Willingness to work long days, occasional weekends and overnight trips
- This position involves on-site presence Monday to Friday with the opportunity for limited remote work
Preferred
- Experience managing entry-level staff
- Case management or social work experience
- Boating experience
- Basic woodworking skills
- Spanish language skills
Rocking the Boat offers
- Full-time salaried position: $60,000-70,000, commensurate with experience
- Benefits package including Health, Vision, Dental and 401k with 6% employer match after 1 year of employment
- Paid Time Off
- Vacation: 23 days; increase to 28 days after three years
- NYS Sick and Safe Time: 40 hours
- Holidays: 10 days
- Compensatory time for work on weekends, holidays, and overnight trips
- 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 send a cover letter and resume with the subject “Middle School Program Manager” to Ali Abate, at ali@rockingtheboat.org.
part-time program assistant positions
public programs program assistant
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
Public Program Assistants are part-time, non-exempt positions that support the delivery of Rocking the Boat’s wide range of environmental, boatbuilding, and sailing programs serving youth and adults both during the day, afterschool, and over the summer. These include daytime programs with elementary, middle, and high school groups, and an afterschool and summer middle school youth development program. Up to five positions report to the Public Program Manager.
Responsibilities
· Assist in delivering environmental science, boatbuilding, and sailing programs to small and large groups
· Incorporate and promote Rocking the Boat’s Core Values into all aspects of program delivery
· Actively practice and promote all safety protocols in the classroom, field, and on the water
· Manage the upkeep of the program materials and equipment including rowboats, field
equipment, and activity material
· Ensure appropriate use and care of all materials and equipment
· Manage participant behavior in order to facilitate an effective and safe learning environment
· Participate in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat
Requirements
· High school diploma or equivalent
· Demonstrate the initiative and leadership qualities that lead to a high level of productivity
· Ability to think independently while working as part of a team.
· Ability to communicate honestly, respectfully, and effectively with supervisors and coworkers
Rocking the Boat Offers
· Up to 40 Safe and Sick hours per calendar year, accrued at a rate of one hour of Safe and Sick time earned to every 15 hours worked
· Salary ranging from $18 to $21 per hour, commensurate with experience.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for 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, or disability are not barriers to employment at Rocking the Boat. Candidates should 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 with the subject “Public Programs Program Assistant” to Rob Buchanan, Manager of Public Programs and Special Projects, at rob@rockingtheboat.org.
