Able-Bodied Sailor, U.S. Brig (Flagship) Niagara

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 36,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board

Job summary

The U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship, requires an Able‑Bodied Sailor for the 2027 season. Based in Erie, PA, you will engage in seamanship, maintenance, and training aboard a historically rigged vessel used for sail training and interpretation.

Responsibilities include operating the ship, tidying berthing spaces, and guiding guests through 19th‑century maritime life. The job runs mid‑March to mid‑October 2027 with fixed schedule and living arrangement details provided by the program.

Qualifications

• Six months experience aboard a sailing vessel of 100 tons or greater.
• USCG Able‑Bodied Sail Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the vessel using traditional seamanship.
• Assist with rigging, coatings, carpentry, and general upkeep.
• Guide and train crew members during daily activities and voyages.
• Provide visitors with understanding of life on a 19th‑century sailing ship.
• Keep ship, shop, and berthing spaces neat and presentable.

Skills

Sailing experience

USCG Able Bodied

Job description

The Position

Are you a journeyman sailor with a desire to expand your skill in square rig seamanship aboard a unique and very traditional rig? Do you enjoy sharing your sailing knowledge with others? If so, we have a position for you!

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is looking for enthusiastic, energetic, and hard‑working Able‑Bodied Sailors to join the crew of the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship. Sailing from her homeport at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, PA, Niagara operates as a sailing school vessel in Lake Erie and the broader Great Lakes. In this position, you will be engaged in all aspects of ship maintenance and operation, allowing you to build upon the skills you have already acquired in your maritime career. This seasonal position is expected to begin in mid-March 2027 and end in mid-October 2027. If you are looking to be part of keeping the tradition of square rig seamanship alive for current and future generations, to serve aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara!

Description of Work

The U.S. Brig Niagara is a fully functional, traditionally rigged brig engaged in sail training and historical interpretation. Through the up rig, maintenance, operation, and down rig of the ship, the Niagara program preserves, interprets and passes on the traditions of what life was like for sailors living, working, and fighting aboard a square‑rigged sailing ship in the early 19th century.

This position helps support the safe and steady operation of a historic sailing vessel while guiding less experienced crew members. It also ensures that the ship and related areas remain clean and welcoming for guests. As an Able‑Bodied Sailor aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, you will perform the following duties:

• Seamanship Skills: Apply traditional seamanship knowledge to help operate and maintain the vessel
• Maintenance Work: Carry out tasks in rigging, marine coatings, carpentry, engineering, and general upkeep
• Skill Development: Take on duties that build a wider range of seamanship abilities
• Crew Training: Assist Ordinary Sailors, volunteers, trainees, and students during daily activities
• Public Interaction: Help provide visitors with an understanding of life on a 19th century sailing ship
• Area Upkeep: Keep the ship, shop, and berthing spaces neat and presentable

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• This limited‑term, seasonal position is expected to start in mid-March 2027 and end mid-October 2027.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday - Sunday, with a 60‑minute lunch. Work schedule may vary per the needs of the ship and programming.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable. This position includes room and board. A daily charge of $11.00 (totaling $154.00) will be automatically deducted from each bi‑weekly paycheck for the duration of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Six months experience aboard a sailing vessel of 100 tons or greater; and eligibility for a United States Coast Guard Able‑Bodied Seaman's Sailing Card.

Additional Requirements

• You must possess a USCG Able‑Bodied Sail Certification.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• This position is subject to initial, ongoing random, and reasonable cause drug screenings. Employment in this position is conditioned on successfully passing an initial drug screening upon appointment to the position. Ongoing employment will require compliance with ongoing random and reasonable cause drug screenings in alignment with US Coast Guard Regulation: CFR Title 46, Chapter 1, Subchapter B, Part 16. and Commonwealth procedures.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.