Shipwright Educator

POSITION:                      SHIPWRIGHT EDUCATOR

REPORTS TO:              VESSEL CONSERVATION & SHIPYARD RELATIONS MANAGER

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) explores and preserves the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all. As an educational institution, staff fulfill CBMM’s mission, vision, and goals, working individually and collaboratively to encourage the public’s access to our collections, programs, and resources.

The Shipyard is a working exhibit of Chesapeake Bay wooden boat building and restoration, open to the public seven days a week, and staffed by CBMM employees and volunteers. The Shipyard restores, builds and maintains traditional wooden vessels, while allowing full public access to the process.

POSITION SUMMARY

CBMM’s Watercraft Collection is the largest and most important collection of Chesapeake watercraft in the world, with over 90 vessels. The collection is comprised of both operational vessels and preserved vessels kept out of the water. CBMM’s collection vessels along with commission work performed on Third Party Vessels play important roles in CBMM’s interpretation of Chesapeake Bay history.

CBMM is registered with the Maryland and US departments of Labor to provide a two-year, certified apprentice program. The Shipwright Educator provides both mentorship and program oversight to ensure a comprehensive, immersive, and effective education for CBMM Shipwright Apprentices. Working alongside CBMM’s Shipwrights in service of all historic vessels, restorations, refits, and new build projects, the Shipwright Educator instructs and trains apprentices in the craft of Historic Boatbuilding, Maintenance and Repair. Additionally, the Shipyard Educator will assist in the management of the Shipyard’s adult educational programming.   

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES  

Shipwright Apprentice Program Management: Manage a team of apprentices and monitor their development. 

• Lead and evaluate the development of the apprentice program curriculum. 

• In alignment with the projects defined by the Vice President of Shipyard Operations, plan and coordinate the allocation of Apprentice time to ensure compliance with curriculum requirements while ensuring adequate resources for shipyard activities. 

• Selection, management, and development of Shipwright Apprentices 

• Work with the apprentices and the Conservation Shipwright to provide the apprentices with the necessary hands-on training. 

• Support in the evaluation and oversight of apprentice housing rules and requirements. 

• Ensure regular Apprentice House maintenance is identified and reported to facilities. 

• Provide orientation, inspections, and evaluative feedback to Apprentice House occupants.  

• In tandem with the above-mentioned responsibilities the Shipyard Education Manager will perform all vessel construction/service tasks as determined by Vessel Conservation Manager 

• Participate in the regular cleaning and maintenance of the shipyard, with a focus on cleanliness and order, workplace safety, and the shipyard as an exhibit. 

• Participate and train apprentices in creating a world-class guest experience, through daily guest interaction and interpretation. 

• Assisting in the development and management of an annual departmental budget. 

• Support shipyard administrative team in submission of all DOL apprenticeship documentation, reports and audits as required. 

• Under the direction of the Vessel Conservation & Shipyard Relations Manager support shipyard programming through class development, preparation, management, and direct instruction of program participants.   

• Assume such other duties as are necessary for the operation of CBMM or as assigned by the President or Chief Operating Officer; assist other staff as needed with technical issues or special projects. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Applicant must possess a minimum of 5 years’ experience in traditional wooden boat construction and/or restoration. 

• Must have experience managing a boat build or renovation projects with a crew. 

• Must have formal boat building education background. 

• Teaching or education experience highly recommended 

• Proficiency in use and maintenance of wood shop machinery 

• Ability to read, interpret, and build from, vessel drawings. 

• Comfortable organizing and managing multiple activities and projects simultaneously. 

• Experience managing team members at various skill levels, from apprentice to experienced shipwrights. 

• Good communication skills along with the aptitude to teach your skills to volunteers, apprentices, and the general public. Must be comfortable building in full public view, interfacing and interpreting to patrons daily. 

• Proficiency in use and maintenance of wood shop stationary machinery and power hand tools.  

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Prolonged periods standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling. 

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time. 

• Must be able to safely work with sharp tools or power equipment. 

• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and terrains. 

• Must have manual dexterity, a good sense of balance, and excellent hand-eye coordination. 

This is a full time, exempt, salaried position with an expected minimum work schedule of 40 hours per week. All staff are expected to be available to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays and CBMM Festivals.