Chief Mate, U.S. Brig Niagara (Chief Mate, Flagship Niagara)

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Chief Mate for the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's flagship, sailing from the Erie Maritime Museum. You will supervise crew, oversee ship operations, and deliver ship-based educational programs while maintaining safety and historical interpretation.

Requirements include a Master of 200+ tons with Auxiliary Sail endorsements, five years on rigged vessels, and USCG STCW 95 with TWIC. This is a full-time, on-site role with no telework.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience on a traditionally rigged sailing vessel as an officer licensed by the US Coast Guard.

Responsibilities

• Direct crew, trainees, and volunteers in daily ship operations and training.
• Oversee upkeep of mechanical systems, rigging, hull, and superstructure to meet safety standards.
• Support navigation preparation and ensure smooth and safe vessel operation.
• Provide information to trainees and visitors about life aboard a 19th century sailing vessel.
• Guide proper maintenance techniques and adherence to established protocols.

Skills

Square rig experience

Coast Guard licensed officer

Leadership / supervision

USCG certifications

Tools

TWIC

USCG endorsements

Job description

Employment Details

• Salary: $69,203.00 - $102,905.00 Annually
• Location: Erie County, PA
• Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time
• Job Number: N-2026-55672
• Department: Historical & Museum Commission
• Division: HM Erie Maritime Ctr
• Opening Date: 09/03/2026
• Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
• Job Code: 27630
• Position Number: 00152452
• Union: Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit: J3
• Pay Group: ST08
• Bureau / Division Code: 00300828
• Bureau / Division: Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, Western Division, Erie Maritime Museum
• Worksite Address: 150 East Front Street, Suite 100
• City: Erie, Pennsylvania
• Zip Code: 16507
• Contact Name: Katherine Devine
• Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you a Master of 200 or greater tons with square rig experience? Have you been seeking an opportunity to serve as the Chief Mate aboard one of the nation's finest tall ships? If so, we have just the position for you! The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working, and experienced individual to serve as Chief Mate aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship. As Chief Mate, you will work hand in hand with the Captain to oversee ship operations and maintenance as well as the delivery of ship-based educational programs. You will supervise the professional crew and trainees, teaching them the discipline and skills of traditional seamanship and building upon the leadership skills you have already acquired in your maritime career. If you are an energetic leader who is passionate about keeping traditional square rig seamanship alive for current and future generations,

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Sailing from her homeport at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, PA, 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 supports the overall execution of the Niagara program through supervision, ship operations, training, and historical interpretation. It offers a central leadership role in maintaining the vessel and guiding those who learn and work aboard. As the Chief Mate, you will perform the following duties:

• Crew Supervision: Direct crew, trainees, and volunteers in daily ship operations and training
• Ship Maintenance: Oversee upkeep of mechanical systems, rigging, hull, and superstructure to meet safety standards
• Voyage Planning: Support navigation preparation and ensure smooth and safe vessel operation
• Historical Interpretation: Provide information to trainees and visitors about life aboard a 19th century sailing vessel
• Safety Oversight: Guide proper maintenance techniques and adherence to established protocols
• Work Schedule and Additional Information: This is a year-round, full-time position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday - Sunday, with a 60-minute lunch. Work schedule will vary based on operational 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.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

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

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of experience on a traditionally rigged sailing vessel serving as an officer licensed by the United States Coast Guard.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a Master of 200 or greater tons, Near Coastal with Auxiliary Sail endorsement or a Master of 200 or greater tons, Oceans with Auxiliary Sail endorsement, issued by the United States Coast Guard.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have the following USCG certifications:
  • STCW 95
  • USCG Medical Certificate
  • TWIC
• You must have at least two years of experience sailing in square rig with at least one year in a supervisory capacity.
• 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.