Seasonal Captain

Northwest Maritime

This position is perfect for those passionate about maritime education and adventure. As a Seasonal Captain, you’ll engage with participants of all ages—from elementary students to adult learners—throughout multiple seasons. In spring and fall, you’ll lead school programs focused on maritime skills and team-building, both on land and water. During summer, you’ll teach adult sailing classes on keelboats, enjoying the best sailing weather of the year. The Captain will also help with youth camps, taking students out on various vessels.

Programs involve a variety of vessels, including 26-foot historic longboats, keelboats, and small craft, as well as onshore activities at Northwest Maritime. You’ll be responsible for vessel safety, gear management, and participant well-being, fostering a safe, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment. Captains are role models who lead by example, emphasizing teamwork, clear communication, and superior experiential learning.

If you’ve got a go-getter attitude, and are ready to dive in and help when needed, then you’re our kind of teammate.  If creating a vibrant, inclusive, and safe learning atmosphere is your superpower, and you know how to switch seamlessly between leading a group and partnering with the crew, then we want you. Do you have clear communication, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to ebb and flow gracefully through dynamic situations? Join us! We work hard and have fun, each day is a new opportunity to do or see something cool!PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Teach maritime skills on water and on land in a hands-on and engaging way to elementary, middle, and high school students, and adults.
  • Work collaboratively with Managers, students, and other Instructors in delivering a high quality maritime learning experience.
  • Support the training and maritime skill development of program teaching staff.
  • Ensure and maintain an emotionally and physically safe, fun and educational environment for all participants.
  • Be accountable for inventory and proper usage of all NWM gear.
  • Complete required documentation, reporting and paperwork in a timely manner.
  • Work with the Programs Operations Coordinator to support logistics and maintenance needs of the program gear and boats.
  • Adhere to all Safety and Risk Management Protocols.
  • Ensure safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and Northwest Maritime Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.
GENERAL OPERATIONS

While this position’s primary responsibility is facilitating learning experiences aboard NWM vessels, the Captain position will work as part of the NWM team to ensure smooth operations for the organization as a whole. This could include providing information to visitors to NWM and helping out in projects and events that require all-hands-on-deck, to helping tie up a vessel coming into our dock because you happen to be standing there. We all pitch in for the heavy lifting now and then—sometimes this is metaphoric; occasionally we all have to actually help lift something heavy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Current 25-ton (or greater) USCG Captains license.
  • Current US Sailing Keelboat Instructor Certification or ability to obtain.
  • Maritime education experience on both the water and land, especially working with a variety of youth and adults in experiential, expedition-based and alternative learning environments.
  • Outboard engine experience.
  • Basic First Aid/CPR, Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Autoinjector certification or training plan.
  • CDC “Heads Up” online concussion training or training plan.
  • An ability to communicate clearly, work collaboratively and be flexible in dynamic situations.
  • Versatility in using various teaching methods for different audiences and learning styles.
  • Competence in student management, particularly for middle to high school students.
  • Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all types of weather.
  • Ability to lift and carry gear up to 50lbs.
HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS
  • Relevant experience in local waters of Puget Sound, San Juan Islands or program area.
  • Sailing Endorsement on USCG Captain’s License.
  • WFA/WFR/EMT certification.
Work offers are contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check and drug test. The NWM boat-based programs are drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. Throughout employment with the Northwest Maritime, certain boat-based program employees will be enrolled in a random drug testing program administered by the Maritime Consortium, in compliance with the Coast Guard mandatory drug testing regulation, as contained in 46 CFR part 16.WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE

  • Position will require onsite work in Port Townsend and on vessels on the Puget Sound
  • Main NWM Offices are located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
  • April through September
  • Reports to: Waterfront Programs Manager
WAGE RANGE & BENEFITS
  • $30 per hour, non-exempt
  • Variable hours per week, but averaging averaging about 30-40 hours per week as scheduled
  • Paid time off: 1 hour of sick time accrued per every 25 hours worked
  • Employee discounts
  • Season Completion Bonus: $1000 upon meeting eligibility requirements
  • Additional benefits:  Subsidized housing (you pay $300/month in rent) *Housing option includes a bed in a shared room in the crew house in Port Townsend. There is a shared kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and laundry facilities

NWM is committed to equal employment opportunity, striving towards being an antiracist and inclusive organization. We value the diversity of our staff and the communities that we serve, which includes a spectrum of racial, cultural, religious, sexual and gender identities, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people who have not seen themselves represented in the industry.

Pay Range: $30 per hour

To apply for this job please visit jobapply.page.link.