ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND 

Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool project for the high-need community of the South Bronx, and incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of just over $3,000,000, is a hub of youth development programming that serves nearly 4,000 community members annually. 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

Rocking the Boat is seeking to hire a Director of Programs and Operations to manage the organization’s innovative experiential youth development programs and the infrastructure that supports them. The position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for supervising up to seven Program Directors, managing programmatic equipment and facilities, and representing Rocking the Boat in the local community. This position requires regular evening and intermittent weekend work.

The Senior Accountant reports to the Executive Director, is a member of the Management Team, and works closely coordinating accounting matters with all departments within the organization.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Execution: Manage the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated suite of boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental education programs

• Works collaboratively with the Executive Director to design, develop, and implement programs that fulfill Rocking the Boat’s mission and meet annual goals
• Supports Program Directors in accomplishing program goals and outcomes
• Serves as a bridge between Development and Program staff, helping to provide content for proposals, reports, and marketing materials
• Works with Program Directors to draft program budgets and manages spending on restricted grants
• Sets daily, weekly, and seasonal programmatic priorities and related activities

Staff Supervision and Development: Ensure that a highly qualified staff successfully fulfills the organization’s mission

• Supervises up to seven Program Directors and the up to 20 Program Assistants they manage, and the Facilities Manager, offering regular guidance and evaluation at both a team and individual level
• Works with other members of the management team to a build a collaborative environment across the staff
• Develops and facilitates in house trainings for staff in areas such as youth development, youth staff management, and safety
• Hires, orients, and trains new program staff

Facilities, Equipment, and Safety: Certify that the physical plant is operational and the necessary tools are in place to facilitate safe and successful programming

• Supervises the work of a part-time Facilities Manager who ensures that all Rocking the Boat facilities and vehicles are maintained and repaired when necessary
• Ensures that Program Directors effectively maintain all program-related equipment including all rowing, sailing, and power boats, environmental science equipment, camping gear, and woodworking tools
• Updates and enforces Rocking the Boat Safety Protocols
• Acts as the primary contact to Rocking the Boat’s insurance brokers providing Property and Liability coverage
• Supports Program Directors in securing any necessary city or state permits

Community Relations: Represent Rocking the Boat consistently and actively among relevant communities and affinity groups

• Represents Rocking the Boat at community meetings, events, and conferences
• Develops strategic partnerships with local schools and organizations
• Manages individual and group volunteer interest and placement in programs

Qualifications

Strong candidates will have at least five years’ experience in non-profit management and program development and demonstrated experience in all of the following:

• Managing programs with strong but flexible and creative leadership
• Empowering direct reports to fulfill programmatic objectives while holding them accountable
• Administering programs in non-traditional or experiential education environments
• Working effectively across departments with Development and Finance staff
• Developing and managing program budgets, including the allocation of restricted grant funds
• Collaborating with other organizations or schools
• Organizational planning and problem solving
• Management of equipment, facilities, or other physical infrastructure
• Sailing, wooden boatbuilding, and/or environmental education a plus

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Rocking the Boat offers:

• Full-time salaried position
• Benefits package including Health, Dental and 401k with 6% matching
• 38 days paid time off including official holidays (43 after 3 years)
• Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to community development and youth empowerment

Qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter expressing their interest in the position and their professional qualifications to Adam Green, Executive Director, at adam@rockingtheboat.org.