development manager | program assistant

Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool project for high school students in the South Bronx and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of over $5 million, is a hub of youth development programming that serves roughly 5,000 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. At the invitation of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and with the endorsement of the India Basin Waterfront Park Project Executive Team, Rocking the Boat is replicating its youth development program model in the new India Basin Waterfront Park in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, opening its doors in fall 2024.

Position Summary
The Rocking the Boat San Francisco Development Manager is primarily a writing position, responsible for supporting the San Francisco Executive Director in raising funds for the organization’s youth development activities as well as necessary capital acquisitions and improvements. Program areas for funding include a year-round after-school and summer program in traditional wooden boatbuilding, comprehensive student support services, and a public rowing program. 

Responsibilities

• Developing appeal and thank you letters to individuals and letters of inquiry, grant proposals, project budgets, and reports to foundations, corporations, and public agencies in collaboration with program staff and outside partners
• Coordinate with New York-based development team to share resources, written content, and information about fundraising ideas and opportunities
• Tracking proposal and report deadlines, being attentive to new RFPs
• Ensuring that all donors receive written acknowledgements in a timely fashion
• Collaborating with Communications Director to produce printed and web-based promotional materials including website content, bi-monthly e-blasts, and fundraising event-specific e-blasts
• Maintaining integrity of Salesforce donor database
• Supporting San Francisco Fundraising Committee Members on fundraising strategies and prospective donor outreach
• Identifying and researching prospective individual and institutional donors
• Supporting major donor development
• Organizing cultivation events

There is opportunity for this to be a hybrid position.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proofreading skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Five years of nonprofit fundraising experience
• Proactiveness
• Responsiveness
• Ability to multi-taskHighly organized and flexible
• Creativity
• Salesforce proficiency is a plus
• Knowledge of youth development and familiarity with San Francisco donor community helpful

Rocking the Boat offers

• Full time salaried position: $75,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience
• Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) with generous employer match
• 33 days paid time off including official holidays (plus 40 hours Sick Leave)
• 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 a detailed cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications along with a current resume to Christopher Childers, San Francisco Executive Director at chris@rockingtheboat.org with San Francisco Development Manager as the subject.

Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool project for high school students in the South Bronx and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of over $5 million, is a hub of youth development programming that serves roughly 5,000 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. At the invitation of the San Francisco Department of Recreation and Park and with the endorsement of the India Basin Waterfront Parks Executive Team, Rocking the Boat is replicating its model youth development program in the new India Basin Waterfront Park in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, opening its doors in fall 2024.

Position Summary
Program Assistants are part-time positions that support the delivery of Rocking the Boat’s after school and summer Youth Development Programs. These include a four-day a week after-school wooden boatbuilding and rowing-based youth development program for 16 high school students as well as seasonal weekend public community rowing and intermittent daytime programs for school and community groups. Up to four positions report to the Program Director.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate education in wooden boatbuilding, rowing, and environmental education to small groups of 9th and 10th grade students
• Assist in classroom instruction during session as well as lesson planning and preparation beforehand
• Independently lead small group instruction and activities
• Incorporate and promote Rocking the Boat’s Core Values into all aspects of program delivery
• Actively practice and promote all safety protocols in the shop and on the water
• Assist in leading day and overnight trips designed to introduce participants to new experiences related to Rocking the Boat programs
• Manage the upkeep of the boatbuilding shop and waterfront including maintaining hand and power tools, cleaning and organizing the shop after use, and storing wood, paint, and other proper materials properly
• Ensure appropriate use and care of all materials and equipment
• Manage participant behavior to facilitate an effective and safe learning environment
• Participate in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrates the initiative and leadership qualities that lead to a high level of productivity
• Ability to think independently while working as part of a team
• Ability to communicate honestly, respectfully, and effectively with supervisors and coworkers

Rocking the Boat Offers

• Up to 40 Safe and Safe hours per calendar year, accrued at a rate of one hour of Safe and Sick time earned to every 15 hours worked
• Salary ranging from $18 to $21 per hour, commensurate with experience

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for 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, or disability 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
Please send a cover letter and resume with the subject “Rocking the Boat San Francsico Program Assistant” to Chris Childers, Chief Program Officer at chris@rockingtheboat.org.