job openings

sailing job skills program director

Rocking the Boat empowers young people from the South Bronx to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them. Students work together to build wooden boats, learn to row and sail, and restore local urban waterways, revitalizing their community while creating better lives for themselves. Rocking the Boat became an accredited U.S. Sailing Community Sailing Center in 2018. 

The Sailing Job Skills Program Director manages the after school and summer Sailing Job Skills Program for high school juniors and seniors and ensures the maintenance and upkeep of a fleet of modern and traditional sailboats, powerboats, docks, and other sailing equipment and resources.  The Program Director must be an experienced sailing instructor able to successfully teach students to become proficient sailors while integrating youth development methodology.  The position reports to the Director of Programs and Operations.  This is a full time, year round position.

Responsibilities include:

Program Development and Execution:  Ensuring the development, planning, and implementation of a comprehensive youth sailing internship program

  • Works with the Student Sailing Program Director and Social Work team to identify and interview prospective Job Skills apprentice applicants in order to enroll 12 high school juniors and seniors in each of three annual semesters

  • Leads annual Job Skills Sailing Program planning and design with the goal of offering engaging and relevant programs to high school junior and senior participants in sailing and sailing instruction

  • Incorporates principals of Positive Youth Development in program planning and delivery

  • Implements Rocking the Boat’s Technical Skills curriculum and works with participants to demonstrate individual achievement through mastering those skills

  • Prepares participants to pass the US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor certification by the time they graduate high school

  • Develops opportunities for Rocking the Boat youth sailors to race both internally and with other young people

  • Plans and manages a summer middle school sailing program facilitated by high school participants

  • Collaborates with other Program Directors and Social Workers on program development, shared programming and 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, career, and personal goals

  • Develops and leads day and overnight trips designed to introduce participants to professional opportunities in the sailing world

  • Participates in monitoring and evaluation designed to assess programmatic success

  • Fulfills all programmatic content and schedule commitments to dedicated funding sources

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

  • Coordinates with the Director of Public Programs to develop and lead learn-to-sail activities as a component of a summer middle school program

  • Supports the Development Department with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements

  • 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

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

  • Follows all Rocking the Boat safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues

  • Organizes US Powerboating Safe Powerboating Certification for appropriate staff

  • Works with the Student Sailing Program Director in overseeing the management and maintenance of all of Rocking the Boat’s sailing program inventory including plastic and fiberglass dinghies, wooden sailboats, and chase boats; other boating equipment such as engines, trailers, dollies, sails, and PFDs; foul weather gear and dry suits; and boat storage infrastructure including floating docks and moorings 

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

  • Participation 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:

  • US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 Instructor

  • Experience managing sailing education programs; race coach experience a plus

  • Experience managing and maintaining boats and related sailing equipment and infrastructure

  • Experience or desire to be involved in community oriented education programming

  • Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, and an ability to work independently

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office computer applications

  • Driver’s License

  • Willingness to work long days, weekends, and some overnights, as necessary

Rocking the Boat offers:

  • Full-time salaried position

  • Full benefits package including 401(k) with generous employer match

  • Generous paid time off

  • Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to community development and youth empowerment


Start Date: late January

To apply please send cover letter and resume to debbie@rockingtheboat.org with SAILING JOB SKILLS PROGRAM DIRECTOR as the subject.

job skills social worker

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

  • Meet at least three times per semester with each participant for individual counseling and 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, including a summer week long camping trip

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 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

  • 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 required

  • 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

Rocking the Boat offers:

  • Full-time salaried position commensurate with experience

  • 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 community development and racially equitable youth empowerment in the South Bronx

Please email cover letters and resumes to Xiomara Ayala at xiomara@rockingtheboat.org

director of finance and administration

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 

The Director of Finance and Administration has overall financial management, human resources and information technology responsibility for the organization and must develop and implement strategies for the continued financial health of Rocking the Boat. This position is also responsible for the day-to-day accounting operations of the organization, which includes a diverse array of activities including, but not limited to banking activities/cash management, A/R, A/P, payroll and benefits administration, filing, and grants management. 

The Director of Finance and Administration reports to the Executive Director, is a member of the Management Team, and works closely with the Director of the Program and Operations, Director of Development, and Director of Social Work. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES 

Processing & Data Entry 

  • Process cash receipts transactions received through from the mail. Prepare and make bank deposits using check scanning machine 
  • Post receipts for fee-for-service/earned income and contracts into the accounting system 
  • Produce invoices from the accounting system to record fee-for-service/earned revenue 
  • Process vendor payables, credit card payables, and expense reimbursements. Prepare checks for signature. 
  • Post ACHs and other electronic disbursements at month-end 
  • Ensure proper authorization and coding of expenditures including tracking by department and grant 
  • Ensure all timesheets are submitted and process payroll through PEO 
  • Enter payroll including allocations into accounting system 
  • Submit contributions for 401k funding 
  • Assist outsourced Controller in performing the month-end close process to ensure timely financial statement reporting 
  • Enter approved budget into accounting system 

Reporting

  • Prepare monthly budget vs actual reporting by grant/department 
  • Provide analysis of monthly management reports prepared by outsourced Controller 
  • Provide strategic recommendations to the Executive Director based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis 
  • Quarterly reporting to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors 

Cash management 

  • Prepare transfers to and from financial institutions as appropriate 
  • Work with outsourced Controller to update monthly forecast 

Compliance 

  • Maintain internal control and safeguards 
  • Support annual audit/Form 990 filing process in cooperation with outsourced Controller 
  • Reconcile monthly credit card statements. Ensure supporting receipts are collected and filed 
  • Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements 
  • Collect W-9s from all vendors during the year, and process 1099s for vendors 
  • Manage workers compensation audits 

Grants Management 

  • Work closely with Director of Programs and Operations and Director of Development, meeting monthly to review grant spending against budgets 
  • Perform monthly allocations of line item restricted grants 
  • Review grant budgets prepared by Director of Programs and Operations or the Development Department 
  • Manage grantor audits, including but not limited to the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development. 

Communication 

  • Follow-up with clients on aged receivables for fee-for-service/earned income 
  • Manage all aspects of the collaboration between Finance and Development 
  • Manage banking relationships including those for the organization’s investments 
  • Perform other duties as assigned from time to time by the Executive Director, Finance Committee, or Board of Directors. 

Human Resources 

  • Responsible for overall HR compliance 
  • Add new employees to and update employees in the PEO payroll system 
  • Track and maintain employee sick/vacation pay 
  • Assist with selection of annual employee benefits and educate staff on available options 
  • Interface with PEO on staffing issues 
  • Update employee handbook, as needed 
  • Serves as a trustee on the 401k plan, annually reviewing plan design and investment programs and is responsible for the timely annual filing of Form 5500 

Information Technology 

  • Ensure that all technology needs are met 
  • Manage outsourced IT provider relationship 
  • Ensure that staff technology issues are being resolved 

Other 

  • Maintain an orderly accounting filing system 
  • Maintain appropriate insurance coverage for employees and the organization, including Property, Liability, Directors and Officers, and other policies as appropriate, and immediately notifies carriers of all potential claims in order to mitigate risk 
  • Plan, draft and coordinate approval of the annual budget. Work closely with Executive Director and Management Team to prepare budgets for departments, personnel, projects and grants 
  • Update accounting policy and procedure manual, as needed 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting 
  • Minimum of five years of accounting experience, including non-profit industry 
  • Demonstrated proficiency with QuickBooks 
  • Technology savvy with advanced Microsoft Excel skills 
  • Strong organizational skills and superior attention to detail 
  • Ability to work independently 
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written 
  • Ability to perform several tasks concurrently with ease and professionalism 
  • Ability to work well with people at all levels 

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. 

Due to the pace of the search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and applications will be reviewed as they are received. Only those candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted. 

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 

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

Applications must include: 

  • A cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, and salary requirements 
  • Resume


kids don’t just build boats, boats build kids

rocking the boat
812 edgewater road
bronx, ny 10474

info@rockingtheboat.org
phone: 718.466.5799
fax: 718.466.2892

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