job openings

director of boatbuilding operations | alumni coordinator | student social worker

director of boatbuilding operations

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 counselling by a team of licensed social workers to have profound and lasting impact on participants. Boats number 54 and 55 are currently under construction on the Rocking the Boat shop floor.

Position Summary
The Director of Boatbuilding Operations coordinates all wooden boatbuilding-related operations across the organization. This includes leading the after school and summer Boatbuilding Job Skills Program, managing all wooden boatbuilding materials, tools, and equipment, and ensuring the proper maintenance of Rocking the Boat’s fleet of wooden rowing and sailing boats. The position supervises up to 12 apprentices (16- to 18-year- old graduates of the Student Boatbuilding Program) on a range of boat repair, restoration, and new construction projects forming a comprehensive on-the-job training experience. The Director of Boatbuilding Operations must be technically skilled in woodworking—ideally wooden boatbuilding — and be experienced in shop management and interested in applying those skills to a youth development environment. The ideal candidate has experience managing a small work crew and can balance the accomplishment of tangible boatbuilding and restoration goals with effective youth development practices. The position reports to the Senior Director of Programs and is a full-time, year-round role.

Responsibilities
Program Development and Execution: Ensuring the planning and implementation of a comprehensive youth development and job readiness program in traditional wooden boatbuilding and maintenance

Offers engaging and relevant programs to youth participants centered on building wooden rowing and sailing boats and maintaining Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing and sailing fleet
Supports all boatbuilding-related Public Programs including components of a middle school after-school and summer programs and other small group programs throughout the year
Implements and improves Rocking the Boat’s Boatbuilding curriculum and works with participants to demonstrate individual achievement through mastering a host of technical skills
Incorporates principles of positive youth development in program planning and delivery
Collaborates with other Program staff and Social Workers on program development, shared programming, training opportunities, promoting and delivering college and career exploration activities, and other opportunities
Develops and leads day and overnight trips designed to introduce participants to related professional opportunities
Participates in monitoring and evaluation exercises designed to assess programmatic success

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

Manages and maintains Rocking the Boat’s shop, tools, and other equipment
Sources all wooden boatbuilding materials including locally sourced oak and cedar
Maintains Rocking the Boat’s wooden rowing and sailing fleet
Follows and enforces all Rocking the Boat safety protocols; identifies and corrects any safety issues

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
Supports the Development team with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements
Assists in budget development and 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: Contributing to the promotion and smooth operations of the organization

Supports the Development team 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

Requirements

Woodworking – and preferably wooden boatbuilding – experience
Shop and tool management experience
Experience managing students or supervising employees
Experience or desire to be involved in community-oriented education programming
Strong organizational skills and an attention to detail
Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, collaborative team
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Proficiency in basic computer applications
Willingness to work long days and weekends, as necessary
Valid driver’s license
Spanish language skills a plus

Workspace

Works largely in the boatbuilding shop managing staff and facilitating programs
The Director holds their own desk within a shared office in an accessible building; some entrances and spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders

Rocking the Boat offers:

Full-time salaried position: $60,000 to $70,000, 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 community development and youth 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. Please 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 Boatbuilding Operations as the subject.

alumni coordinator

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 Coordinator to rally and engage the hundreds strong Rocking the Boat alumni community and to provide direct post-secondary educational and professional guidance to alumni for six years after they graduate from high school and Rocking the Boat’s youth development programs. This involves broad outreach and data collection to the broader alumni population, individual support for 50 to 75 alumni within six years of high school, and the management of other alumni services such as a scholarship program and opportunities for mentoring. The Alumni Coordinator works as part of the Social Work team among three licensed social workers, supports various organizational events and programs with the Social Work team and reports to the Senior Director of Social Work. This position requires some evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities

Guide Alumni: Provide individual and small group post-secondary educational and professional guidance to all alumni within six years of high school graduation

Offer educational guidance for alumni in, or with a desire to return to, college or technical school
Build and sustain connections with a network of colleges and post-secondary training organizations
Assist alumni with FAFSA, TAP and other financial aid and educational loan opportunities
Offer job placement services and training in skills needed to obtain and succeed in jobs such as interview coaching, cover letter and resume writing, and time and project management coaching
Offer life skills training opportunities in areas such as personal financial management, health and healthcare, and civic engagement
Arrange for both educational and professional mentoring opportunities as needed

Organize Alumni: Coordinate and host workshops, groups, reunions, and other events for the Rocking the Boat alumni community

Develop and maintain an Alumni Committee to inform the alumni activity development and assist with event planning and execution
Develop new alumni events and initiatives that bring alumni together while supporting their needs
Coordinate both summer and winter alumni reunion
Collaborate with the Job Skills Social Worker to coordinate an annual scholarship award dinner
Collaborate with the Job Skills Social Worker on an annual Thanksgiving week post-secondary preparation event for recent alumni and high school seniors
Support alumni coxswain participation in the annual Rocking Manhattan fundraising event
Manage the Rocking the Boat Alumni social media accounts and email list
Regularly notify alumni about resources and opportunities

Fund Alumni: Manage multiple alumni scholarship programs totaling approximately $100,000/year

Promote opportunities and identify candidates
Work with scholarship donors as necessary
Coordinate scholarships with external scholarship management firm

Assess Alumni: survey and manage alumni data to inform needs and reflect Rocking the Boat impact

Conduct bi-annual surveys and host groups to assess alumni needs
Keep alumni records current and record all interactions in Salesforce database
Provide Development staff with data and anecdotes of Rocking the Boat’s lasting impact on alumni for fundraising purposes
Analyze data to assess programmatic impact and identify areas of need

Qualifications

Required

Experience advising youth or adults on the college application and financial aid processes; knowledge of local New York City, regional, and national higher education systems
Experience with job readiness training and placement
Event organizing experience
A strong commitment to youth development, social justice, and anti-racist practice
Highly developed organizational skills and an ability to work independently
Excellent communications and database skills
All Rocking the Boat employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to receive full set of vaccinations prior to employment.

Preferred

Spanish language skills
Registration as a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW)
Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean driving record
Approaches the work through a youth development, social justice, and anti-racist practice lens
Strong organizational skills and an ability to work independently

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 salaried position: $50,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience
38 days paid time off including official holidays (43 after 3 years) Benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision and 401k with 6% matching
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.

To apply:
To apply please send a detailed cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications along with a current resume to Xiomara Ayala, Senior Director of Social Work at xiomara@rockingtheboat.org with Alumni Coordinator as the subject.

student social worker

Position Summary
The Rocking the Boat Student Social Worker works with the 48 9th, 10th, and 11th graders who participate in the Student level of Rocking the Boat’s Boatbuilding, Environmental, and Sailing afterschool and summer youth development programs. The position supports participants in confidently navigating educational, interpersonal, and family systems by providing individual and group support, collaborating with schools, making referrals to outside agencies when necessary, and helping to set a positive youth development culture throughout Rocking the Boat’s programs.

The Student Social Worker works among a team of three Licensed Masters of Social Work all of whom are managed by the Senior Director of Social Work, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The position also collaborates closely with the Program Directors of the Student Boatbuilding, Environmental, and Sailing Programs to support their shared participants.

Responsibilities

Counseling & Group Work

Conducting biopsychosocial evaluations with all incoming students
Meeting individually at least two times per semester with each program participant
Providing short-term goal-oriented counseling to participants and making necessary referrals
Supporting personal growth through setting individual goals at the beginning of each semester
Intervening during crises and mediating conflict
Organizing and running two to three dynamic groups based on student interest and need each semester; past groups have focused on relationships, stress management, decision making, self-advocacy, and identity
Participating with students in boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental science programs both on and off site
Engaging schools, families, and other systems to best support each student

Trips & Events

Attending single- and multiple-day trips, including multiple annual overnight and camping trips
Supporting Program Directors in planning and organizing trips
Planning and co-facilitating (with the Job Skills Social Worker) three Friday “Chat n’ Chew” workshops each fall and spring semester featuring experts who can speak to topics relevant to Rocking the Boat’s youth population
Collaborating with the entire Social Work Team to lead fall and spring semester Family Nights

Student Recruitment and Retention

Maintaining relationships with faculty at partner schools
Maintaining relationships with student’s families
Participating in new student interviews
Working with the Student Program Directors to make decisions on program rosters
Working with schools to ensure students receive academic credit for their participation in Rocking the Boat

Program Administration

Recording the following in a Salesforce database: new student personal information, student participation in all counseling sessions, groups, and events; student case notes; and student paperwork
Assisting Development staff by sharing student data and anecdotes of programmatic successes or challenges for proposals and reports

Intern Supervision

Supervising and supporting an MSW intern

Qualifications
Required

Registration as a Licensed Master (LMSW)
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 communication and database skills
All Rocking the Boat employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to receive full set of vaccinations prior to employment.