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

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Concord Township (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board provided

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Second Mate for the U.S. Brig Niagara, its Erie flag-ship program. The role leads a crew aboard a square-rigged sailing vessel, overseeing maintenance, safety drills, and navigation while teaching visitors about maritime history.

The position runs March through October 2027 with day sails and instructional programs; candidates must hold USCG licenses and have multiple years of traditional rig sailing experience. Room and board provided.

Qualifications

• Two years command experience aboard sailing ships of 100 ton rating or greater.
• US Coast Guard license endorsements required for early command.
• STCW 95 and medical certification are mandatory.
• TWIC credential is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance Oversight: supervise care of mechanical systems, rigging, masts, yards, hull and superstructure.
• Crew Training: lead drills and show crew, volunteers, and trainees how to perform tasks.
• Navigation Support: maintain charts, publications, and navigation/communication equipment.
• Watch Duties: serve as officer of the deck or direct crew during sail operations.
• Historical Interpretation: explain ship history to guests and describe life on a 19th-century vessel.

Skills

Command experience on sailing ships

Square rig experience

Crew leadership

Education

USCG 200 ton Near Coastal Mates License with Auxiliary Sail endorsement

STCW 95

USCG Medical Certificate

TWIC

Job description

Are you a licensed officer with square rig experience? Have you been seeking an opportunity to move into a senior officer role aboard a tall ship? Do you enjoy leading a crew and sharing your sailing knowledge with others? If so, we have the position for you!

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is looking for an enthusiastic, energetic, and hard-working individual to serve as the Second Mate aboard 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 and giving you the opportunity to teach others the discipline and skills of seamanship. This seasonal position is expected to begin in mid-March 2027 and end in mid-October 2027.

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 role guides the upkeep of the ship and supports safe and smooth daily operations. It also helps teach crew members and visitors about life on a historic vessel.

• Maintenance Oversight: Supervise care of mechanical systems, rigging, masts, yards, the hull, and the superstructure
• Crew Training: Lead drills and show crew members, volunteers, and trainees how to complete important tasks
• Navigation Support: Maintain charts, publications, and all navigation and communication equipment
• Watch Duties: Serve as officer of the deck or direct crew during sail operations
• Historical Interpretation: Help explain the ship history to guests and describe life on a nineteenth century sailing vessel

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years command experience aboard sailing ships of 100 ton rating or greater.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a United States Coast Guard Radar Observer Endorsement, and a United States Coast Guard Marine Firefighting Certificate.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have the following US Coast Guard certifications:
  • 200 ton Near Coastal Mates License with Auxiliary Sail endorsement
  • STCW 95
  • USCG Medical Certificate
  • TWIC
• You must have at least three years of experience sailing in traditional rig, including at least one year of experience sailing in square rig and 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.