Third Mate, U.S. Brig Niagara (Sailmaker, 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

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Third Mate for the U.S. Brig Niagara, the Commonwealth’s flagship sailing school vessel based at the Erie Maritime Center. The role involves ship operations, crew training, maintenance oversight, safety, and public interpretation in a seasonal program from March to October 2027.

You will lead and mentor crew, teach seamanship, and help run day sails and voyage programs while ensuring safe, historically informed operations for guests and students.

Qualifications

• One year experience aboard a sailing vessel, including six months as ship's sailmaker.
• Eligibility for a United States Coast Guard Able-Bodied Seaman's Sailing Card.
• You must possess a USCG Able-Bodied Seaman Certification.
• Two years of experience sailing in traditional rig, including square rig and supervisory capacity.
• First Aid Training is preferred, not required.

Responsibilities

• Direct crew during sailing, docking, and undocking activities
• Lead drills and demonstrate proper seamanship techniques
• Monitor upkeep tasks and help prepare reports and work lists
• Maintain first aid supplies and support safe practices on board
• Help interpret the ship's history and welcome museum guests
• Ensure ship, shop, and berthing area remain clean and ready for public viewing

Skills

Sailing experience

Sailmaker experience

USCG certification

Supervisory experience

First Aid Training

Job description

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Erie County, PA

Non-Civil Service Seasonal Full-Time

N-2025-60862

Historical & Museum Commission

HM Erie Maritime Ctr

10/26/2026

11/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

27615

50702200

AFSCME

J1

ST05

00300828

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

150 East Front Street, Suite 100

Erie, Pennsylvania

16507

MegAnn Carey

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you a traditional seafarer with square rig experience? Have you been seeking an opportunity to take on a supervisory role aboard a tall ship? Do you enjoy leading 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 Third 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.

If you are looking to be part of leading the charge to keep 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.

• Ship Operations: Direct crew during sailing, docking, and undocking activities
• Crew Training: Lead drills and demonstrate proper seamanship techniques
• Maintenance Oversight: Monitor upkeep tasks and help prepare reports and work lists
• Safety and Medical: Maintain first aid supplies and support safe practices on board
• Public Engagement: Help interpret the ship's history and welcome museum guests
• Workplace Upkeep: Ensure that the ship, shop, and berthing area remain clean and ready for public viewing

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 of experience as a ship's sailmaker; 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 have at least two 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.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• First Aid Training

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.