Maintenance Skipper / Operations

New Zealand Sailing Trust; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Sailing Trust is seeking an experienced Maintenance Skipper / Operations team member in Auckland to oversee daily vessel maintenance and operational support. The role blends hands‑on maintenance with skippering for sailing programmes and events.

You will work with the Head Sailing Skipper to keep vessels safe, well maintained and ready for operation, coordinating contractors and developing maintenance plans while building the teams’ practical skills.

Qualifications

• SRL 24m or higher
• VHF Operator Certificate
• Current Maritime NZ medical
• Current First Aid – Coastal Medic preferred
• Strong sailing experience, preferably on vessels 50ft+
• Good practical knowledge of vessel systems and maintenance
• Experience maintaining and operating similar vessels
• Strong problem‑solving and organisational skills
• Good communication and the ability to work well with crew, contractors and management

Responsibilities

• Manage and carry out day‑to‑day vessel maintenance, repairs and preventative maintenance, including identifying and prioritising issues
• Coordinate contractors and support larger maintenance, refit and vessel improvement projects where required
• Help develop and maintain long‑term maintenance plans for our vessels and keep maintenance, safety and inventory records up to date
• Lead and coordinate in‑house maintenance, working with crew and helping build their practical skills
• Skipper vessels as required for sailing programmes, events and operational activities
• Support the wider team with vessel preparation, checks, fuelling, supplies and general operations
• Work closely with the Head Skipper and NZST management to ensure vessels are safe, operational and maintenance priorities are clearly communicated

Job description

New Zealand Sailing Trust (NZST) is looking for an experienced Maintenance Skipper / Operations team member to join our team and help keep our vessels safe, well maintained and ready for operation. This is a varied, hands‑on maritime role combining vessel maintenance, operational support and skippering.

You'll work closely with the Head Sailing Skipper and NZST management, taking responsibility for day‑to‑day maintenance while also supporting sailing programmes, events and general vessel operations. The role will suit someone who enjoys being hands‑on, solving problems and taking ownership of keeping vessels running safely and effectively.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and carry out day‑to‑day vessel maintenance, repairs and preventative maintenance, including identifying and prioritising issues
• Coordinate contractors and support larger maintenance, refit and vessel improvement projects where required
• Help develop and maintain long‑term maintenance plans for our vessels and keep maintenance, safety and inventory records up to date
• Lead and coordinate in‑house maintenance, working with crew and helping build their practical skills
• Skipper vessels as required for sailing programmes, events and operational activities
• Support the wider team with vessel preparation, checks, fuelling, supplies and general operations
• Work closely with the Head Skipper and NZST management to ensure vessels are safe, operational and maintenance priorities are clearly communicated

About you

• SRL 24m or higher
• VHF Operator Certificate
• Current Maritime NZ medical
• Current First Aid – Coastal Medic preferred
• Strong sailing experience, preferably on vessels 50ft+
• Good practical knowledge of vessel systems and maintenance
• Experience maintaining and operating similar vessels
• Strong problem‑solving and organisational skills
• Good communication and the ability to work well with crew, contractors and management

About us

• New Zealand Sailing Trust is a charitable organisation providing young people with opportunities to experience sailing, develop confidence and build practical life skills through time on the water. New Zealand Sailing Trust is a drug and alcohol‑free workplace. Successful applicants will be required to complete police vetting, and only those with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered for this role