Shipwright Educator (69491)

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum; Saint Michaels (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD seeks a Shipwright Educator to mentor apprentices, supervise shipwright education projects, and lead curriculum development.

You will work beside CBMM’s shipwrights and contribute to vessel conservation, craft training, and public interpretation while expanding adult education programming.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in traditional wooden boat construction/restoration.
• Experience managing a boat build/restoration project and crew.
• Formal boat building education background.
• Teaching or education experience required.
• Proficiency in wood shop machinery maintenance.
• Ability to read, interpret, and build vessels from drawings.
• Experience managing teams of varying skill levels, from apprentice to experienced Shipwrights.
• Strong communication skills and ability to mentor volunteers, apprentices, and the public.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Shipwright Apprentice Program Management; manage a team of apprentices and monitor their development.
• Lead and evaluate the development of the apprentice program curriculum.
• Plan and coordinate Apprentice time to meet curriculum requirements and shipyard needs.
• Select, manage, develop, and evaluate Shipwright apprentices.
• Provide hands-on training and oversight with Conservation Shipwrights for apprentices.
• Oversee apprentice housing rules and maintenance and safety.
• Ensure vessel construction/service tasks are performed as directed by managers.
• Participate in regular shipyard maintenance, safety and guest experience initiatives.
• Develop and deliver adult educational programming, no fewer than four classes per year.
• Assist in department budgeting and apprenticeship documentation and audits.

Skills

Team leadership

Education/Teaching

Wood shop skills

Reading vessel drawings

Microsoft Office

Project management

Education

Formal boat building education

Tools

Wood shop machinery

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: St. Michaels, MD 21663 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 Salary The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) explores and preserves the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all. As an educational institution, staff fulfill CBMM’s mission, vision, and goals, working individually and collaboratively to encourage the public’s access to our collections, programs, and resources.

The Shipyard is a working and living exhibition of Chesapeake Bay wooden boat building and restoration, open to the public, and staffed by CBMM employees and volunteers. The Shipyard restores, builds and maintains traditional wooden vessels, while allowing full public access to the process.

POSITION SUMMARY

CBMM’s Watercraft Collection is the largest and most important collection of Chesapeake watercraft in the world, with over 90 vessels. The collection is comprised of both on-the-water operational vessels, and preserved vessels kept out of the water. CBMM’s collection of vessels and the commission work performed on third party vessels play an important role in CBMM’s interpretation of Chesapeake Bay history.

CBMM is registered with the Departments of Labor (MD & US) to provide a two-year, certified apprentice program. The Shipwright Educator provides both mentorship and program oversight to ensure a comprehensive, immersive, and effective education for Shipwright Apprentices.

Working alongside CBMM’s Shipwrights in service of all historic vessels, restorations, refin, and new build projects, the Shipwright Educator instructs and trains apprentices in the craft of Historic Boatbuilding, Maintenance and Repair. The Educator works on the Vessel Conservation team and is expected to be an effective shipwright throughout the year. Additionally, the Shipyard Educator will develop and instruct adult educational programming and is required to instruct no fewer than four classes a year

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Shipwright Apprentice Program Management; manage a team of apprentices and monitor their development.
• Lead and evaluate the development of the apprentice program curriculum.
• In alignment with the projects defined by the Vessel Conservation Manager, plan and coordinate the allocation of Apprentice time to ensure compliance with curriculum requirements while ensuring adequate resources for shipyard activities.
• Select, manage, develop, and evaluate Shipwright apprentices.
• Work alongside the apprentices and the Conservation Shipwright to provide the apprentices with the necessary hands‑on training and oversight.
• Support in the evaluation and oversight of apprentice housing rules and requirements.
• Ensure regular Apprentice house maintenance is identified and reported to the facilities team.
• Provide orientation, inspections, and evaluative feedback to Apprentice house occupants.
• In tandem with the above-mentioned responsibilities the Shipyard Education Manager will perform all vessel construction/service tasks as determined by the Vessel Conservation Manager.
• Participate in the regular cleaning and maintenance of the shipyard, with a focus on cleanliness and order, workplace safety, and the shipyard as a working and living exhibit.
• Participate and train apprentices in creating a world‑class guest experience, through daily guest interaction and interpretation.
• Assist in the development and management of an annual departmental budget.
• Support shipyard administrative team in submission of all DOL apprenticeship documentation, reports and audits as required.
• Under the direction of the Vessel Conservation & Shipyard Relations Manager, support shipyard programming through class development, preparation, management, and direct instruction of program participants.
• Assume such other duties as are necessary for the operation of CBMM or as assigned by the President or Chief Operating Officer; assist other staff as needed with technical issues or special projects.

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with an expected minimum work schedule of 40 hours per week. All staff are expected to be available to work on a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays and CBMM Festivals.

QualificationsMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must possess a minimum of 5 years’ experience in traditional wooden boat construction and/or restoration.
• Must have experience managing a boat build or restoration project and managing a crew.
• Must have formal boat building education background.
• Teaching or education experience is required.
• Proficiency in the use and maintenance of wood shop machinery.
• Ability to read, interpret, and build vessels from drawings.
• Comfortable organizing and managing multiple activities and projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing team members at various skill levels, from apprentice to experienced Shipwrights.
• Good communication skills along with the aptitude to teach and mentor volunteers, apprentices, and the public. Must be comfortable building in full public view, interfacing and interpreting to museum patrons daily.
• Proficiency in use and maintenance of wood shop stationary machinery and power hand tools.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to safely work with sharp tools or power equipment.
• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and terrains.
• Must have manual dexterity, a good sense of balance, and excellent hand-eye coordination.