job openings

student sailing program director | senior director of programs

student sailing program director

Organizational Background

Rocking the Boat empowers young people to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them. 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 counseling 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 Student Sailing Program Director manages the after school and summer Student Sailing Program, leading a group of 16 high school aged students, introducing them to a range of basic sailing and seamanship skills. The Program Director supervises a staff of up to four college-aged Program Assistants, all graduates of Rocking the Boat’s programs and helps ensure 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 Senior Director of Programs and is a full-time, year-round position.

Responsibilities

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

Offers engaging and relevant introductory sailing programs to participants to participants in their first two years of high school
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
Recruits prospective ninth and tenth grader participants in collaboration with the Boatbuilding and Environmental Student Program Directors and the Student Social Worker
Collaborates with other Program Directors and Social Workers on program development and shared programming and training opportunities
Develops and leads challenging and enriching day and overnight trips for participants
Collaborates with the Social Work team to help participants set and achieve academic, career, and personal goals
Participates in monitoring and evaluation designed to assess programmatic success
Fulfills all programmatic content and schedule commitments to dedicated funding sources

Works with the Job Skills Sailing Program Director to maintain strong relationships with the local sailing community and plan relevant trips for participants

Staff Supervision and Development: Ensuring that part-time Program Assistants are able to successfully support program activities

Supervises up to four college-aged Rocking the Boat alumni as Program Assistants
Provides ongoing professional, technical, safety, and youth development training for Program Assistants

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 as needed
Supports the Development Department by engaging in special projects as needed and providing: narrative content including stories and quotes for fundraising and promotional materials; budget backup; photographs
Assists in 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
Works with the Sailing Program team to manage and maintain of all of Rocking the Boat’s sailing program inventory including plastic dinghies, wooden sailboats, and RIBs; 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

Supports the Development Department by 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

Qualifications

US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor
Experience teaching in sailing education programs
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

Workspace

Holds their own desk within a shared office in the Sailing Classroom.  While the main building is fully accessible, the Sailing Classroom and some other spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders
Lifting and carrying heavy objects, such as boats and engines, and using hand and power tools is an important part of the position

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 adam@rockingtheboat.org with Director of Sailing Programs as the subject.

senior director of programs

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 2,500 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 Senior Director of Programs is a key member of the organization’s four-person management team. The position manages the organization’s innovative experiential youth development and public programs as well as the infrastructure that supports them. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director is responsible for supervising up to seven Program Directors and a dedicated Assistant Director, managing programmatic equipment and facilities, and representing Rocking the Boat in the local community. This position requires regular evening and intermittent weekend work.

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 and develop programs that fulfill Rocking the Boat’s mission and partners with Program Directors to implement them
Supports Program Directors in accomplishing annual 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 Assistant Director, 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

Equipment and Safety Management: Certify that the necessary tools are in place to facilitate safe and successful programming

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

This job description does not represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of this position; other duties and unplanned activities may be required.

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

Demonstrated ability to work effectively across organizational functions
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

All Rocking the Boat employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to receive full set of vaccinations prior to employment.