Title: Master Boatwright
Job Type: Salaried; Exempt Full-time; Year-round/Based on 40 hrs. per week
Salary Range: $70,000 – $85,000 per year
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Description:
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, and working in coordination with the Curator/Collections Manager, Museum Educator, Maintenance and Operations Manager, and Volunteer Lead Captain, this
position provides hands-on leadership, performance, and follow-through for all aspects of the daily operations of the ABM In-Water Fleet and boat shop programming based in the E.J. Noble Historic Stone
Building and Mary Street Shop. The Master Boatwright will be responsible for re-establishing the boat building school and/or a series of classes pertaining to classic craftsmanship and traditional boat building
skills. The Master Boatwright must possess good communication skills along with the aptitude to teach your skills to volunteers, apprentices, and the general public. Must be comfortable working in full public
view, interfacing and interpreting to visitors daily during the open season. Schedule will include special events and weekends during open season, and transitioning to M-F schedule during the closed season.
Responsibilities:
In-Water Fleet/Operational Boat Programs:
In coordination with the Curator/Collections Manager, Museum Educator, Maintenance & Operations
Manager, & appropriate specialty contractors (i.e. boat haulers, mechanic(s)):
Pre-season (Mid-March – Early-May)
- Move boats out of winter storage to staging area
- Prepare all in-water vessels (including small sailing vessels) for launch: charge batteries, de-winterize all engines, inspect body and hull, re-seam, paint and clean
- Launch motorized fleet boats at ramp and coordinate launch of larger motorized boats by travel lift (at nearby marina). Schedule with volunteer captains for shakedown upon launch
- Rig and launch (with slings) sailing vessels
Season: Mid-May – October
- Schedule and perform regular maintenance on fleet vessels (utilizing specialty contractors as deemed appropriate) including but not limited to oil and filter changes every 100 hours, replacement of fuel filters and cleaning raw water strainer
- Prioritize and perform unexpected repairs and maintenance on the in-water fleet (utilizing specialty contractors as deemed appropriate) to mitigate the loss of service or cancellation of rides including but not limited to the diagnostic/corrective procedure of electrical systems, mechanical systems, prop change haul outs
- Repairs may involve multi-day halt in operation for certain vessels
- Communicate with staff team members, volunteers and/or specialty contractors on the status of in-water fleet boats
- Communicate with Volunteer Lead Captain and Captains in order to cultivate daily/weekly information of boat performance
- Cosmetic maintenance on all boats during season, potentially requiring haul out
- Perform structural repairs; Post USCG/COI exam required, time sensitive repair work
- Train as assistant for Passenger Lift to provide access to ride boats
- Perform maintenance and repairs on smaller sailing vessels without interruption to sailing classes, Tuesday Night Sailing and Rowing and special event sailing (occasionally requiring haul out)
- Attend initial Tuesday Night Sailing & Rowing in order to access boats and perform repairs
Post-Season (November – March):
- Coordinate haul out of fleet boats by trailer and travel lift
- Identify repair and maintenance needs of in-water fleet by mid-November for budgeting purposes
- Oversee and/or perform cleaning and winterization of all engines, inboard and outboard
- Participate in careful storage of boats in barns
- Repair/restore of all in-water vessels (small and large) in preparation for the next season, either at ABM or coordinating with other shops in the area
- Execute winter projects with volunteers
- Past projects have included: boat bottoms, rebuilding transom of Chris-Craft, total refinishing of 30’ runabout
Curatorial Related:
In conjunction with the Curator/Collections Manager:
- Move and relocate collection objects
- Occasionally assist with exhibition maintenance and installation (featuring boats)
- Assessing collection objects, specifically boats, for potential collection-based projects, ranging from partial and full restorations to stabilizing and documentation for the purposes of expanded understanding and on-going object cataloging
- Hauling and transporting special temporary exhibits, which in general includes trailering boats to fellow museums and/or off-site storage locations
Educational Programming:
In conjunction with Museum Educator:
- Develop, oversee, and/or teach programming offered in the Stone Building or Mary Street Shop
- Schedule and participate in demonstrations for Event days (may include outside craftspeople)
Liaison for Boat Shop Volunteers:
- Recruit and work with groups of year-round and seasonal volunteers in the boat shop to maintain
the small craft fleet, special projects, and other institutional wood working needs
- Foster good will and communication with the volunteers
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Maintain accurate records and pictures for all maintenance, repair, & restoration, including filling out condition reports with Curator/Collections Manager
- Prepare budgets, order, organize and inventory shop and project tools and supplies
- Track inventory of in-kind sponsored products and services
- Coordinate with Advancement department on communication with each
- Conduct proper tool maintenance (both power and hand)
- Identify potential restoration projects and outline budget, timeline, and supporting programming/demos
- Build in Shop Infrastructure (Organize, Arrange, Build more accessibility)
- Research related to watercraft preservation and specific assignments
- Serve on the Collections and Education Committees
Qualifications:
- Minimum of four years of experience in a variety of ship and boat maintenance, preservation or restoration projects. Time spent in formal Boat Building Programs may replace up to two years of experience
- A high level of aptitude and ability in carpentry, finish work, rigging, etc. as related to traditional watercraft preservation and new construction. Some knowledge in marine engine and systems a plus
- Understanding the sensitivity of working on museum objects and taking full consideration for the difference in approaches of preservation, conservation, and restoration
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Understands and adheres to the standards prescribed by the American Alliance of Museums, including the collections policies and the code of ethics, as well as accepted good practices
- Dedicated individual with a pleasant demeanor and positive attitude
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational, planning, and research skills
- Detail-oriented, meticulous, and conscientious in following through on assigned tasks
- Proficiency with computers in standardized word processing, and spreadsheet programs
- Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and good judgment to successfully organize and complete assignments
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a small team
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff team, donors, volunteers, and visitors
- Commitment to being an active participant in the Antique Boat Museum community by attending events, forging relationships with volunteers, and donors
- Commitment to learning and growing in the field
- Ability to travel, work evenings and/or weekends as necessary in the performance of assigned responsibilities
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record and means of transportation
- Job requires bending, lifting, climbing, and prolonged physical activity and exposure to all weather conditions
Application Instructions:
Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to Human Resources, Master Boatwright Search, Antique Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY 13624, or email to
Photo: Courtesy of ArtsWestchester, recipient of a Museums for America grant (
