Shipwright Educator (69491)

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) explores and preserves the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region and makes these resources accessible to all. As an educational institution, CBMM staff advance the organization’s mission, vision, and goals by working collaboratively to encourage public engagement with our collections, programs, and resources.

CBMM’s Shipyard is a working and living exhibition of traditional Chesapeake Bay wooden boatbuilding and restoration. Open to the public and staffed by employees and volunteers, the Shipyard restores, builds, and maintains traditional wooden vessels while providing visitors with direct access to the craft, preservation, and restoration process.

POSITION SUMMARY

CBMM's Watercraft Collection is among the most significant collections of Chesapeake Bay watercraft in the world and plays an important role in preserving and interpreting the region's maritime heritage.

CBMM is registered with the Maryland and U.S. Departments of Labor to provide a two-year certified apprenticeship program. The Shipwright Educator leads and administers the apprenticeship program, providing mentorship, instruction, curriculum development, and program oversight to ensure apprentices receive a comprehensive educational experience.

Working alongside CBMM Shipwrights, the Shipwright Educator teaches traditional wooden boatbuilding, maintenance, and repair while supporting restoration, refit, maintenance, and new construction projects. The position also develops and delivers public educational programming and contributes to the preservation and interpretation of CBMM's historic vessel collection.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Apprenticeship Program Leadership

• Lead and administer CBMM's Shipwright Apprenticeship Program, including apprentice development, curriculum implementation, performance evaluation, and program compliance.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate apprenticeship curriculum, training plans, and instructional programming.
• Plan apprentice assignments to meet curriculum requirements while supporting Shipyard operations and project priorities.
• Participate in apprentice recruitment, selection, supervision, mentoring, development, and evaluation.
• Provide hands-on instruction, coaching, guidance, and oversight to apprentices working on vessel conservation, restoration, maintenance, and construction projects.
• Maintain apprenticeship documentation and support reporting, audits, and federal and state Department of Labor compliance requirements.

Education & Public Engagement

• Develop and deliver public educational programs and classes that support CBMM's mission and educational objectives.
• Engage visitors through daily interpretation, demonstrations, and interaction within the Shipyard.
• Train apprentices in effective public engagement, interpretation, and guest experience practices.

Vessel Conservation & Shipyard Operations

• Perform vessel construction, restoration, maintenance, and repair in support of apprenticeship instruction and preservation of CBMM's vessel collection.
• Demonstrate and teach traditional wooden boatbuilding and restoration techniques.
• Support the preservation, maintenance, stewardship, and interpretation of CBMM's vessel collection.
• Participate in the maintenance, organization, safety, and presentation of the Shipyard as a working and living exhibit.

Administrative & Organizational Support

• Assist with budget development, planning, reporting, and operational needs.
• Participate in departmental meetings, festivals, public programs, and special events.
• Assist staff with technical issues, special projects, and other organizational initiatives as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Apprentice Housing Support

• Support compliance with apprentice housing policies and expectations.
• Conduct housing orientations and inspections and provide guidance and feedback to occupants.
• Identify and report housing maintenance concerns to the Facilities team.

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with an expected minimum work schedule of 40 hours per week.

The position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, CBMM festivals, public programs, classes, and special events as operational needs require.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in traditional wooden boat construction, restoration, or vessel conservation.
• Experience leading boatbuilding, restoration, or vessel conservation projects and supervising crews or apprentices.
• Formal education or training in boatbuilding, wooden boat restoration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience teaching, mentoring, training, or leading apprenticeship or educational programs.
• Proficiency with woodworking machinery, hand tools, and power tools.
• Ability to read and interpret vessel plans and drawings.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work in and around vessels for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely operate woodworking machinery, hand tools, and power tools.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Manual dexterity, balance, and hand-eye coordination sufficient to perform skilled shipwright work safely and effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with apprentices, coworkers, volunteers, program participants, and visitors.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.