Job Description

Posting number: N-2026-59789

Department: Historical & Museum Commission

Division: HM Erie Maritime Ctr

Job classification: Captain, Flagship Niagara

Posting type: NCS External

Categories: Museum

Summary

Are you a Master of 200 or greater tons skilled in square rig and experienced in commanding a sailing school vessel? Have you been looking for an opportunity to command one of the nation's finest tall ships? If so, we have just the opportunity for you!

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) is looking for a passionate, hard-working, and experienced individual to serve as Captain of 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. If you are an experienced Captain who is passionate about keeping traditional square rig seamanship alive for current and future generations, apply today!

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Examples of duties

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 position oversees and leads the daily operations of the U.S. Brig Niagara program, ensuring the vessel, crew and all activities meet the highest professional standards. As Captain of the U.S. Brig Niagara, you will perform the following duties:

• Safety Oversight: Maintain the safety of the vessel, crew, trainees, and visitors across all operations
• Preservation and Maintenance: Oversee the ship’s maintenance program and major repairs, upholding her historic and functional integrity
• Vessel Operations: Operate the ship and oversee the delivery of sail training and other educational programming aboard Niagara
• Crew Leadership: Guide, develop, and supervise professional crew members, trainees, and volunteers to ensure work meets or exceeds industry standards
• Collaborative Planning: Work with senior management and other PHMC colleagues to develop annual and long-range plans for the Niagara program and deliver the mission of the Erie Maritime Museum
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to maritime regulations and Commonwealth policies

This is a year-round, full-time position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday - Sunday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for meetings and special events will be required.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) ad-hoc. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Erie. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of experience commanding a tall ship as a chief mate or captain, including two years commanding a traditional square-rigged vessel.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a Master of 200 or greater tons, Near Coastal with Auxiliary Sail endorsement or a Master of 200 or greater tons, Oceans with Auxiliary Sail endorsement, issued by the United States Coast Guard.

Additional Requirements:

• You must possess a valid Class C Driver’s License.
• You must have at least five years of experience overseeing the development and implementation of a sailing school program focused on traditional sail training and seamanship as well as maritime education programs (experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility aboard tall ships).
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• 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. 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.