Overview
If you thrive on organization and maritime adventures, this role is for you. As Program Coordinator, you’ll be the logistical backbone for youth maritime programs at Northwest Maritime (NWM) and aboard NWM vessels. You’ll assist in training seasonal staff, facilitate communications, support program decisions, and ensure a safe, positive experience for participants. Every day will bring a mix of administrative and hands-on responsibilities, ensuring smooth, dynamic programming.
In spring and fall, your focus will be on school programs, managing tasks such as coordinating resources, creating schedules, packing gear for overnight trips, tracking registrations, and liaising with teachers. You’ll also assist with maritime skills training for seasonal staff and students, working closely with Program Managers to prioritize tasks.
In summer, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations for both Adult and Youth programs. This includes supervising Youth Learn to Sail and Messing About in Boats Programs, providing logistical and administrative support for Adult Programs, and handling a variety of tasks – staff coordination, parent communication, boat maintenance, and occasional relief instruction.
If you’ve got a go-getter attitude, ready to dive into any part of the programming action when needed, then you’re our kind of teammate. Creating a vibrant, inclusive, and safe learning vibe is your superpower, and you know how to switch seamlessly between solo acts and partnering with the crew. Do you have clear communication, a collaborative spirit, and the flexibility to ebb and flow with the tides? Join us! We work hard and have fun, each day is a new opportunity to see something cool!
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborate with Program Managers to plan, organize, and implement programs, including staff training and orientation
Facilitate engaging, hands-on programming for students (elementary through high school), both on land and water, including in inclement weather
Ensure a safe, fun, and educational environment for all participants, adhering to safety and risk management protocols
Manage daily activities aligned with class content and assist with programming as needed
Serve as the main point of contact for participants, parents, and staff regarding questions, concerns, or feedback
Complete administrative tasks, including lesson plans, incident reports, and daily staff check-ins
Support summer program operations by supervising Youth Programs staff and ensuring smooth logistical and administrative processes
Provide fleet management support, including Boat usage, sailing equipment, safety equipment, sailboat rigging and inspections, boat and gear handling and inventory, troubleshooting, and ensuring the safe operation of vessels
Serve as Port Captain two evenings per week, overseeing waterfront activities
Assist in volunteer and relief staff scheduling in collaboration with the Waterfront Programs Manager
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience managing staff, working with youth and teens, and ensuring effective program delivery
Strong communication skills, with an ability to engage collaboratively with parents, teachers, and colleagues
Teaching experience, preferably in informal settings such as camps or on the water, using diverse methods for various learning styles
Competence in student management, especially for elementary and middle school students
Experience coordinating sailing programs
Required Skills:
Current First Aid/CPR certification and Anaphylaxis & Epinephrine Auto-Injector certification (or a plan to obtain)
Valid driver’s license and Washington State Boater’s Card (or ability to obtain)
Preferred Skills:
Experience in small boat handling (outboards & towing), sailing and/or rowing, coupled with knowledge of fundamental boat operations, including standard knots, basic navigation, and awareness of weather, tides, and currents
US Sailing Level 2 Instructor
USCG OUPV 6-pack License
Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in Marine Biology/Oceanography and associated sampling techniques
About Northwest Maritime
Northwest Maritime is dynamic, growing, making a difference in our community, and taking an increasing role in the region. We serve individual students and program participants, but we also work to help solve community problems like systemic improvements in our public schools, economic development, job training, and working regionally to pair the opportunities in the maritime industry with the need to address systemic oppression in communities of color. Plus, all of the fun stuff like kids’ programs, festivals, and adventure races.
On top of it all, you’d get to work on the water in Port Townsend: natural beauty, heritage buildings, arts community, wooden boats, zero traffic jams. Northwest Maritime’s relative scale to our small town means that the effects of our success can be observed in the success of our community. You’ll be doing meaningful work for the place you live, and your efforts will make a tangible difference.
