job openings

assistant director of programs and operations

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 $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 an Assistant Director of Programs and Operations to support the management of the organization’s innovative experiential youth development and STEM education programs. The position will work with the Director of Programs and Operations (DPO) to ensure the smooth administration and delivery of Rocking the Boat’s programs, including key roles in database management and human resources and information technology support. The position reports to the Director of Programs and Operations (DPO) and requires occasional evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Execution

  • Works closely with DPO and program staff to ensure the successful planning and implementation of a suite of programs for local youth and adults

  • Coordinates marketing and outreach for Youth Development and Public Programs

  • Collaborates with Program Directors to manage recruitment efforts and onboard Youth Development participants

  • Supports the development of strategic partnerships with schools and organizations, and fosters and maintains existing partnerships

  • Schedules and coordinates logistics for program related trainings and events (family nights, end of session celebrations, external presentations, etc.)

  • Assists Director of Public Programs in scheduling and invoicing for group and volunteer programs

  • Assists in tracking program budget spending and developing budgets

Database Management & Information Technology

  • Manages Salesforce customer relationship management database, including developing processes, refining dashboards and reports, training staff on database use, leading data cleaning, and working with external Salesforce consultant to ensure the database is working for the organization’s needs
  • Administers DYCD Compass contract, including managing workscope, populating the City’s online database, and scheduling, participating in and assembling required materials for site visits
  • Serves as the administrative point of contact for outsourced IT provider and backstops staff technology requests

Human Resources Support

  • Works with program team to conduct staff recruitment and hiring
  • Administers onboarding and offboarding of staff
  • Works in conjunction with Rocking the Boat’s outsourced human resources consultant to handle other human resources matters such as workers compensation and disability claims, unemployment claims, and other benefits administration
  • Manages volunteer intake, placement, and support

Facilities, Equipment and Safety

  • Assists in updating and enforcing Rocking the Boat Safety Protocols

  • Supports in securing any necessary city or state permits for programs, projects and events

  • Contributes to the maintenance and organization of shared program-related equipment and resources

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

Qualifications

Required

  • Three to five years of experience in program, department or organization administration and management, ideally with non-profits

  • Strong administrative skills as related to developing and managing programs

  • Technologically savvy with advanced Microsoft Excel and database management skills

  • Strong collaboration and communication skills

  • Excellent organizational, planning and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team

Preferred

  • Experience in youth development or non-traditional education environments
  • Spanish language skills

Workspace

  • Holds their own desk within a shared office in an accessible building. While the main building is fully accessible, some entrances and spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders
  • Long stretches of computer work are a part of this position
  • Headphones are welcome during periods of independent work
  • Opportunity to work remotely on a partial basis

Rocking the Boat offers

  • Full-time salaried position: $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience

  • Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) with employer match after first year

  • Generous paid time off

  • 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 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 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 Assistant Director of Programs and Operations as the subject.

alumni social worker

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 $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 an Alumni Social Worker to support the academic, social/emotional, and professional needs of the Rocking the Boat’s alumni community. This involves broad outreach and data collection to the hundreds strong Rocking the Boat alumni population, individual support for 50 to 75 alumni who are within six years out of high school, and the management of an Alumni Mentoring Program that supports graduates in their first two years out of high school. The Alumni Social Worker works among a team of four licensed social workers, supports various organizational events and programs with the Social Work team and reports to the Director of Social Work. This position requires some evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities

Counseling: Provide individual social/emotional, academic, and professional support to all alumni within six years of high school graduation

  • Provide short-term clinical services such as individual counseling and assisting in the development of short- and long-term personal goals

  • Manage personal crises and make referrals to other supports when necessary

  • Offer academic and professional support addressing college and technical school success and job readiness

Mentor Program: Administer a post-secondary support oriented mentoring program for graduates within their first two years post-high school

  • In collaboration with the Job Skills Social Worker, annually recruit and introduce the new cohorts of between 5 and 15 mentors and mentees

  • Organize and facilitate kick off, mid-year, and end-of-year mentor events for all mentor/mentee cohorts

  • Conduct monthly check-ins with mentors, bimonthly check-ins with mentees and provide additional support as needed

  • Meet with every second year mentor/mentee pair for check-ins

Events: Organize and host events for the alumni community and for joint events with current Youth Development Program participants

  • In collaboration with the Job Skills Social Worker, coordinate an extended trip for juniors over February break to visit New York State schools and visit Rocking the Boat alumni

  • Coordinate a summer Alumni Reunion

  • Collaborate with the Job Skills Social Worker to coordinate an annual scholarship dinner

  • Develop Professional Development workshops

  • Collaborate with the Job Skills Social Worker on a Friendsgiving Talk-Back event for recent alumni and high school seniors

  • Build and sustain connections with a network of colleges and post-secondary training organizations

  • Recruit and organize alumni volunteers to assist with events planning 

Alumni Community Outreach: Communicate with alumni en masse and individually

  • Conduct surveys and host groups to assess alumni needs

  • Manage the Rocking the Boat Alumni Facebook group

  • Regularly notify alumni about resources and opportunities

  • Assist individual alumni with FAFSA and TAP renewals

  • Manage applications to the New York Community Trust and Hadley Greene Memorial scholarships; oversee Beyond the Boroughs, Rocking the Boat’s consultant managing scholarship distributions

  • Coordinate the alumni elements of two annual fundraising events: the Pete and Toshi Seeger Alumni Award (spring) and Rocking Manhattan coxswains (fall)

Evaluation and Assessment: Help to document and contextualize the services Rocking the Boat provides

  • Meticulously record all interactions in Salesforce database

  • Provide Development staff with data and stories for reports and proposals

  • Analyze data to assess programmatic impact and identify areas of need 

Qualifications
Required

  • Registration as a Licensed Master or Clinical Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW)

  • Minimum three years post-graduate work experience

  • A strong commitment to youth development, social justice, and anti-racist practice

  • Highly developed organizational skills and an ability to work independently

  • Willingness to work in a non-traditional clinical setting

  • SIFI certified or desire to become SIFI certified

  • Excellent communications and database skills

Preferred

  • Spanish language skills

  • Experience counseling youth on the college application and financial aid processes; knowledge of local New York City, regional, and national higher education systems

  • Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean driving record 

Workspace

  • Holds their own desk within a private office in an accessible building. While the main building is fully accessible, some entrances and spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders

  • Opportunity to work remotely on a limited basis

Rocking the Boat offers

  • Full-time, $50,000-$55,000 salaried position

  • Generous paid time off

  • Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) with employer match after first year

  • Weekly supervision with opportunity to accrue hours toward LCSW licensure

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

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 please feel welcome to communicate any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.

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



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

Search