Deckhand

About the role

Join the South Street Seaport Museum Relief Crew aboard the 1885 Schooner Pioneer, recipient of the TSA Sail Training Program of the Year in 2026, and the 1930 tugboat W.O. Decker—the last remaining wooden tug built in New York. This deckhand position offers the opportunity to develop as a mariner in a challenging, supportive, and fast-paced environment, assisting in day-to-day sail operations including education, public, and charter sails on evenings and weekends. Willingness to work with volunteer crew, students, and the public is critical. Continuous on-the-job training will be provided, though some sailing experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Report for shifts on time and prepare for the workday.
• Learn, understand, and follow all Museum policies, particularly PPE and safety procedures as outlined in the employee handbook, training, and orientation.
• Interact with guests to ensure comfort and safety, facilitating their connection with the experiences encountered on each sail.
• Participate in the USCG-required drug testing program.
• Provide evidence of completion of NYC Sexual Harassment Prevention Training by June 15, 2026.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy work environment at all times.
• Conduct regular boat checks while on watch and daily when no sails are scheduled; report and/or correct any issues found.
• Provide ongoing training to crew through leadership, management, and delegation, including the use of PPE, safety gear, and the Pioneer Sail Training Manual.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of safety equipment and procedures.
• Control heavy objects and work in environmentally challenging conditions (unstable, wet, cold, slippery, etc.) while maintaining personal and crew safety.
• Participate in at least one training sail per month when available.
• Maintain current certification in First Aid and CPR/AED.
• Assist fellow Museum staff in projects on other vessels or the museum campus as needed.
• Represent the professionalism of the ships and the museum in all interactions while aboard or connected to the Museum and its fleet.

Qualifications

• Some sailing experience is required; experience in tall ships and/or experiential education is desired.
• Willingness to work hard, learn good interpersonal skills, and maintain a responsible and respectful outlook.
• Ability to lead volunteer trainees and passengers in a safe, healthy, collaborative, and respectful manner.
• Parallel experience may include teaching (particularly experiential education), sailing, sail training, carpentry, mechanical work, metalwork, or painting.
• Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification (in-house training available).

South Street Seaport Museum strongly encourages applications from members of groups underrepresented in museums and maritime careers. Non-traditional applicants and/or those with suitable alternatives to the listed criteria are encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work effectively under a variety of conditions, including heat, sun, wind, cold, and darkness.
• Move safely on a moving deck and in confined spaces below with sufficient agility.
• Haul on lines under strain and lift up to 40 pounds.

Pay

$23/hour.

Schedule

This is a temporary full-time position from late August until mid-November 2026. The role is exempt, with weekday, evening, and weekend hours required. The exact schedule is negotiable.