Second Mate, U.S. Brig Niagara (Second Mate, Flagship Niagara)

About the role

Are you a licensed officer with square rig experience? Have you been seeking an opportunity to move into a senior officer role aboard a tall ship? Do you enjoy leading a crew 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 Second 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!

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.

This role guides the upkeep of the ship and supports safe and smooth daily operations. It also helps teach crew members and visitors about life on a historic vessel. As a Second Mate aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, you will perform the following duties:

• Maintenance Oversight: Supervise care of mechanical systems, rigging, masts, yards, the hull, and the superstructure
• Crew Training: Lead drills and show crew members, volunteers, and trainees how to complete important tasks
• Navigation Support: Maintain charts, publications, and all navigation and communication equipment
• Watch Duties: Serve as officer of the deck or direct crew during sail operations
• Historical Interpretation: Help explain the ship history to guests and describe life on a nineteenth century sailing vessel

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.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years command experience aboard sailing ships of 100 ton rating or greater.

Special Requirements

• This position requires possession of a United States Coast Guard Radar Observer Endorsement, and a United States Coast Guard Marine Firefighting Certificate.

Additional Requirements

• You must have the following US Coast Guard certifications:
• 200 ton Near Coastal Mates License with Auxiliary Sail endorsement
• STCW 95
• USCG Medical Certificate
• TWIC
• You must have at least three 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.

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.

How to Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

Additional information

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.