Boatswain, U.S. Brig Niagara (Coxswain, Flagship Niagara)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board provided

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking an experienced Boatswain for the U.S. Brig Niagara, based at the Erie Maritime Center in Erie, PA.

This seasonal, full-time role involves leading deck tasks, supervising crew, and teaching seamanship to volunteers and staff aboard a historically rigged sailing ship on Lake Erie and the Great Lakes.

Qualifications

• One year experience aboard a sailing vessel.
• Six months experience as ship's carpenter.
• USCG Able-Bodied Seaman Sailing Card.
• Ability to pass background checks as required by law.

Responsibilities

• Deck leadership: guide crew in daily seamanship tasks and oversee shipboard operations.
• Rig and sail work: perform hands-on rigging, sailing, and upkeep of the vessel.
• Tool and supply care: maintain tools and inventory supplies.

Skills

Sail training

Rigging

Crew supervision

Public engagement

Education

USCG Able-Bodied Seaman Certification

Job description

Salary

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location

Erie County, PA

Job Type

Non-Civil Service Seasonal Full-Time

Job Number

N-2026-60836

Department

Historical & Museum Commission

Division

HM Erie Maritime Ctr

Opening Date

10/26/2026

Closing Date

11/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

27617

Position Number

50702151

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

J1

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00300828

Bureau / Division

Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, Western Division, Erie Maritime Center

Worksite Address

150 East Front Street

City

Erie, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16507

Contact Name

MegAnn Carey

Contact Email

[e-mail]

The POSITION

Are you an experienced rigger looking to expand and hone your skills in square rig seamanship while taking on supervisory responsibilities? 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 an enthusiastic, energetic, and hard-working Boatswain 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, apply today 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.

The Boatswain leads deck work and supports the ship by guiding others in seamanship and maintenance tasks. The role helps keep the vessel organized, safe, and ready for daily operations. As a Boatswain aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, you will perform the following duties:

• Deck Leadership: Guide crew in daily seamanship tasks and oversee shipboard operations
• Rig and Sail Work: Carry out hands-on rigging, sailing, and upkeep of the vessel
• Tool and Supply Care: Keep tools in good condition and maintain an inventory of needed supplies
• Training Support: Teach less experienced crew members and volunteers through supervised tasks
• Public Engagement: Help visitors understand life aboard a 19th century sailing ship
• Organization & Safety: Maintain a neat and orderly ship, shop, and berthing area(s) to ensure a safe and professional state of readiness is upheld for staff/crew, trainees, volunteers, and guests

The U.S. Brig Niagara's sailing season is March through October, and she conducts a full schedule of sail training (day sails and voyage programs) from May through September.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

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:

• One year experience working aboard a sailing vessel, including six months experience as a ship's carpenter, and eligibility for a United States Coast Guard Able- Bodied Seaman's Sailing Card.

Additional Requirements:

• You must possess a USCG Able-Bodied Seaman Certification.
• You must possess at least one year of experience sailing in a traditional rig.
• You must possess at least six months of experience as a rigger.
• 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.