Able-Bodied Sailor, U.S. Brig (Flagship) Niagara
About The Position
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is hiring Able-Bodied Sailors to serve aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship, based at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, Pennsylvania. Niagara is a fully functional, traditionally rigged brig that operates as a sailing school vessel on Lake Erie and the broader Great Lakes, combining sail training with historical interpretation. The program preserves and shares the traditions of life aboard an early 19th-century square-rigged sailing ship through the vessel's up-rig, maintenance, operation, and down-rig. The Able-Bodied Sailor supports the safe operation and maintenance of the historic vessel, helps guide less experienced crew members, contributes to public interpretation, and keeps the ship and related spaces clean and welcoming. This limited-term seasonal position is expected to begin in mid-March 2027 and end in mid-October 2027. The schedule is generally 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, with a 60-minute lunch, but may vary according to ship and program needs. Telework is not available. Room and board are included, with a $11.00 daily charge deducted from each bi-weekly paycheck.
Requirements
- Six months of experience aboard a sailing vessel of 100 tons or greater.
- Eligibility for a United States Coast Guard Able-Bodied Seaman's Sailing Card.
- Possess a USCG Able-Bodied Sail Certification.
- Be able to perform the essential job functions.
- Successfully pass an initial drug screening and comply with ongoing random and reasonable-cause drug screenings.
- Submit satisfactory criminal history reports, including Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Child Abuse history, and FBI Fingerprint clearances, as required under the Child Protective Services Law.
Responsibilities
- Apply traditional seamanship knowledge to help operate and maintain the vessel.
- Perform rigging, marine coatings, carpentry, engineering, and general upkeep tasks.
- Take on duties that develop a wider range of seamanship abilities.
- Assist Ordinary Sailors, volunteers, trainees, and students during daily activities.
- Help visitors understand life aboard a 19th-century sailing ship.
- Keep the ship, shop, and berthing spaces neat and presentable.
Benefits
- Room and board are included, subject to a daily charge of $11.00 deducted from each bi-weekly paycheck.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
