Education & Youth Development
Organizational Background
Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool project for the high-need community of the South Bronx, and incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of just over $3,000,000, is a hub of youth development programming that serves nearly 2,500 community members annually. The mediums of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing are paired with social-emotional, academic, and career counselling by a team of licensed social workers to have profound and lasting impact on participants.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Programs is a key member of the organization’s four-person management team. The position manages the organization’s innovative experiential youth development and public programs as well as the infrastructure that supports them. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director is responsible for supervising up to seven Program Directors and a dedicated Assistant Director, managing programmatic equipment and facilities, and representing Rocking the Boat in the local community. This position requires regular evening and intermittent weekend work.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Execution: Manage the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated suite of boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental education programs
– Works collaboratively with the Executive Director to design and develop programs that fulfill Rocking the Boat’s mission and partners with Program Directors to implement them
– Supports Program Directors in accomplishing annual program goals and outcomes
– Serves as a bridge between Development and Program staff, helping to provide content for proposals, reports, and marketing materials
– Works with Program Directors to draft program budgets and manages spending on restricted grants
Sets daily, weekly, and seasonal programmatic priorities and related activities
Staff Supervision and Development: Ensure that a highly qualified staff successfully fulfills the organization’s mission
– Supervises up to seven Program Directors, and the Assistant Director, offering regular guidance and evaluation at both a team and individual level
– Works with other members of the management team to a build a collaborative environment across the staff
– Develops and facilitates in-house trainings for staff in areas such as youth development, youth staff management, and safety
– Hires, orients, and trains new program staff
Equipment and Safety Management: Certify that the necessary tools are in place to facilitate safe and successful programming
– Ensures that Program Directors effectively maintain all program-related equipment including all rowing, sailing, and power boats, environmental science equipment, camping gear, and woodworking tools
– Updates and enforces Rocking the Boat Safety Protocols
– Acts as the primary contact to Rocking the Boat’s insurance brokers providing Property and Liability coverage
– Supports Program Directors in securing any necessary city or state permits
Community Relations: Represent Rocking the Boat consistently and actively among relevant communities and affinity groups
– Represents Rocking the Boat at community meetings, events, and conferences
– Develops strategic partnerships with local schools and organizations
– Manages individual and group volunteer interest and placement in programs
This job description does not represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of this position; other duties and unplanned activities may be required.
Qualifications
Strong candidates will have at least five years’ experience in non-profit management and program development and demonstrated experience in all of the following:
– Managing programs with strong but flexible and creative leadership
– Empowering direct reports to fulfill programmatic objectives while holding them accountable
– Administering programs in non-traditional or experiential education environments
– Demonstrated ability to work effectively across organizational functions
– Developing and managing program budgets, including the allocation of restricted grant funds
– Collaborating with other organizations or schools
– Organizational planning and problem solving
– Management of equipment, facilities, or other physical infrastructure
– Sailing, wooden boatbuilding, and/or environmental education a plus
All Rocking the Boat employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to receive full set of vaccinations prior to employment.
Workspace
– Holds their own desk in a private office in an accessible building. While the main building is fully accessible, some entrances and spaces within the facility necessitate using stairs or ladders
– This position involves on-site presence Monday to Friday with the opportunity for limited remote work
Rocking the Boat offers:
– Full-time salaried position: $85,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience
– Benefits package including Health, Dental and 401k with 6% matching
– 38 days paid time off including official holidays (43 after 3 years)
– Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to community development and youth empowerment
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility at Rocking the Boat
Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility of all applicants and employees. The organization strives not only to accept but to affirm and celebrate all identities. Race, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status are not barriers to employment at Rocking the Boat. Candidates should feel welcome to communicate any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.
To apply
To apply please send a detailed cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications along with a current resume to Adam Green, Executive Director at [email protected] with Senior Director of Programs as the subject.
