The Bayshore Center at Bivalve/AJ Meerwald is an exciting and interesting place to work. If you are committed to the preservation of history, protection of the environment and sailing the Bayshore Center at Bivalve/AJ Meerewald might before you.

Bayshore Center at Bivalve

Executive Director

Full time, beginning immediately

Posted by: Bayshore Center Board of Trustees

Executive Director Job Description

Through the state’s official tall ship, the oyster schooner AJ Meerwald and historic waterfront museum, the mission of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve is to advance the understanding of human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programming. Located along the Maurice River in southern Cumberland County, NJ, BCB carries out this work through innovative, place-based educational and preservation programs.  The site includes the Delaware Bay Museum, located in the restored 1904 Bivalve Oyster Shipping Sheds and Wharves, which serves as a maritime center of national significance. The site is also home to the AJ Meerwald, a restored 1928 Delaware Bay Oyster Schooner that serves as BCB’s sailing classroom. The Meerwald was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1995, and was designated as New Jersey’s tall ship in 1998. On an adjacent property the Bayshore Center owns a 3-bedroom house which serves as a crew house when the AJ Meerwald is in port.

BCB is governed by a board of approximately 12 trustees and operates on an annual budget of approximately $1,000,000. The Executive Director oversees 2-6 full-time year-round staff, 3-5 part-time year-round staff, a seasonal staff boat crew of eight, and many volunteers.

The Position: 

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees and shall discharge the duties of the position in ways that are consistent with the mission and values of the organization.   Specific responsibilities include:

  • Oversee the day-to-day operation of all aspects of the Bayshore Center including the hiring, firing and evaluation of staff required to accomplish BCB’s work.
  • Oversee the development of strategic, effective fundraising programs that will grow unrestricted funds and capital reserves.
  • Recruit and manage the volunteers needed for the organization to accomplish its work.
  • Create a professional work environment by adhering to sound human resource practices, encouraging best practices, professional development, and a collaborative work ethic.
  • Ensure proper management, conservation, and maintenance of BCB’s physical plant and tangible assets.
  • Work with the board of trustees to develop a strategic plan for the organization.
  • Work closely with the Board Chair on priority issues affecting BCB’s ability to operate effectively.

Provide staff support to the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and other board committees as needed.

  • Ensure that all corporate documents are updated, accessible, and safely stored.
  • Work with the Board Finance Committee to prepare a responsible annual budget, establish proper financial reporting to monitor the budget monthly, and internal controls to ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
  • Engage and manage consultants and providers of donated services as needed to effectively implement organizational functions that cannot be performed directly by the paid staff.
  • Facilitate, participate in and otherwise seek collaborative partnerships of community leaders, educators, funders and other providers who can help advance the work of the Bayshore Center.
  • Establish a summer home for the AJ Meerwald in a population center able to support the AJ Meerwald as an education platform and passenger carrying vessel offering day sails.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred
  • At least ten years of meaningful work experience nonprofit management; previous successful experience in an executive director or leadership position preferred.
  • Experience in development, including government and community relations.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively handle a wide variety of roles including leadership, strategic planning, communications, finance, administration, data management and technology. The Bayshore Center intends to operate through a very small staff and the Executive Director will be responsible for management or direct implementation of all the organization’s functions.
  • Proven ability to effectively motivate and manage staff
  • Strong interpersonal and communications skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a volunteer Board of Trustees
  • Energetic and entrepreneurial
  • Familiarity with tall ship operations
  • A Captain’s License is a plus.

Send CV and cover letter to John Brady, Interim Executive Director, jbrady@bayshorecenter.org

Deadline for replies, December 15, 2022

A.J. Meerwald Employment

Vessel Captain

Full Time, beginning immediately
Posted by: Bayshore Center at Bivalve on July 5, 2022
Category: Deck: Licensed

The Bayshore Center at Bivalve (BCB), a working waterfront museum, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the human impact on the environment.  The organization owns and operates the historic Schooner AJ Meerwald, a sailing classroom and vehicle to enjoy the area waterways.  The museum, located in the historic shipping sheds in Bivalve, NJ, is the AJ Meerwald’s home port.  The AJ Meerwald docks in various ports in and around New Jersey.  For more information on bcb please go to www.bayshorecenter.org.

The historic schooner AJ Meerwald is a 1928 Delaware Bay oyster boat.  The 115-foot schooner was originally restored in 1995 and is currently undergoing her second restoration.  The restoration includes all new systems, sails, decking, rigging, etc. work is expected to be completed in June 2022.

The captain is responsible for all aspects of the AJ Meerwald operations including personnel, maintenance, port relations, programing, capital improvements and regulatory compliance. The captain maintains excellent, constructive, supportive relationships with the crew and BCB staff. The captain is a member of BCB’s senior management team and works to implement the organization’s strategic plan which includes programing on and off the ship.  They maintain strong relationships with the USCG, port partners and supporters.

Qualification:

  • Working knowledge of tall ship mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
  • Qualified applicants will be a US Citizen, have traditional sail experience and have a 100-ton master’s license
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and good hygiene
  • Be able to work collaboratively with others
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • 3+ years’ experience in the operation and management of tall ship

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Ensuring the safe operations of the ship
  • Hiring, firing and managing crew
  • Assist in identifying, securing and managing port relations
  • Ensuring the ship is attractive and well maintained at all times
  • Identify and facilitate capital improvements to the ship
  • Work with BCB staff to create and implement shipboard and land-based programing
  • Ensure appropriate financial management and operations of the ship
  • Act as an ambassador for the organization and ship
  • Ensure the quarters on and off the ship are clean, neat and well maintained
  • Crew on volunteer training
  • Ensure the highest quality service is provided to passengers
  • Other tasks and responsibly as directed by the Executive Director of the BCB

The position is full time and year-round and reports to the BCB’s Executive Director.

License: Master, 100t, Near Coastal
STCW: AB Sail

Salary range $55,000-$70,000 based on experience

Please send resume and or qualifications to director@bayshorecenter.org

 

Chief Mate

Permanent Full Time
Posted by: Schooner AJ Meerwald
Category: Deck: Licensed

The Schooner AJ Meerwald is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Chief Mate.  The AJ Meerwald is owned and operated by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve.  The AJ Meerwald’s second restoration will be completed in June 2022.

 

The Chief Mate is the ship’s executive officer and assists the captain in management of the ship’s operations. This position is an opportunity for professional mariners in traditional sail to develop in a leadership position. We seek applicants who are passionate about traditional sail, the continuance of tall ship seamanship and sail training.  The Chief Mate works with the captain to manage programs and the safe operation of the vessel. The Chief Mate oversees training of the ship’s crew and volunteers. As executive officer, the Chief Mate attends to operational details of the vessel to ensure the seaworthiness of the ship and crew. The Chief Mate manages the vessels rigging, departments, daily schedule, safety systems, personnel, and maintenance.  Applicants must have traditional sail experience. Applicants must have experience as a deck watch officer, rigging, and management of crew and vessel operations. Applicants should have previous experience on traditional sailing vessels and familiarity with engineering systems. All crew will be required to follow Covid-19 health and safety guidelines as set by Bayshore Center at Bivalve (BCB). Vaccination for Covid-19 is required.

 

Pay range based on experience and qualifications.  Pay range is $35,000- $55,000. There are shore living facilities for crew in Bivalve, NJ.

Apply by email to director@bayshorecenter.org

The Bayshore Center at Bivalve (BCB), a working waterfront museum, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the human impact on the environment.  The organization owns and operates the historic Schooner AJ Meerwald, a sailing classroom and vehicle to enjoy the area’s waterways.  The museum, located in the historic shipping sheds in Bivalve, NJ, is the AJ Meerwald’s home port.  The AJ Meerwald docks in various ports in and around New Jersey.  For more information on BCB, please go to www.bayshorecenter.org.

The Schooner AJ Meerwald, built in 1928, serves over 4,000 passengers annually, sailing from selected ports in NJ as well as visiting other ports in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.  Educational programs focus on marine science and history (e.g. plankton, water quality, etc.). The AJ Meerwald also provides private charters and public sails.