About Brooklyn Boatworks

Mission

Harnessing the unique craft of wooden boatbuilding and maritime-centered exploration, we inspire young people to uncover the confidence, skills, and courage to chart pathways to their own success in and outside the classroom.

To achieve this mission Brooklyn Boatworks (BKBW) brings its programs into schools and local communities. Prioritizing Title 1 schools, our programs provide unique and supportive learning environments for all students. Brooklyn Boatworks has active programs serving hundreds of students across fifteen school and community sites in New York City.

BKBW’s programs integrate STEM skills and healthy social‐emotional development while giving students the opportunity to experience the rewards, accomplishments, and thrills of hand crafting and ultimately sailing a boat they’ve built with their classmates. Enrichment activities are designed to bolster students’ understanding and application of math, science, and geography as they gain knowledge of the breadth of their urban environments and the waters that are a part of it.

We teach and promote the values of learning by doing, teamwork, perseverance and craftsmanship.  Brooklyn Boatworks promotes excellence by creating learning environments grounded in respect, support, and dignity for all students. We engage students virtually and in person, leading students through team-building and hands-on activities that explore and celebrate self & STEM-identity, design & creativity, and hands-on learning. Our current programming includes in-school boat building, on-water programming, and on-going alumni programming.

Classroom Vision Statement

Within our community:

·       Everyone participates – everyone has a voice, and we value the different ways that individuals contribute to the team.

·       You are the driver of your own story – We meet students where they are and center their perspectives, experiences, and stories.

·       Black Lives Matter. We acknowledge that the construct of race disproportionally affects people who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – We reflect, choose language, and take action to ensure that anti-Blackness is not perpetuated in our community.

·       Everybody sweeps. Everybody builds. We believe that all girls, boys, women, men, and people of all gender identities are able to use tools, build, clean and organize.

·       We respect LGBTQIA+ people and we use language and actions that are respectful of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

·       We value one another no matter where we come from, whether we are from different homes, neighborhoods, countries and/or economic backgrounds.

·       We are all leaders and learners, no matter our race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, class, learning style, age, abilities, or differences.

Brooklyn Boatworks Executive Director

Brooklyn Boatworks has an exciting opportunity for an energetic, hands-on leader to join our staff.  The Executive Director (ED), a full-time, exempt position, will report into our Board of Directors and oversee a budget of $750,000 and team of up to 12 staff members, both full-time and part-time.  The successful candidate will lead the organization at an exciting time of growth.

The ED will oversee all administrative, fundraising and program activities as well as the hiring and management of staff, part-time classroom instructors, and a team of dedicated volunteers. The ED is expected to identify and address implementation challenges; establish, maintain, and improve processes, policies and procedures; have exceptional communication skills, and keep the Board regularly informed.

Key responsibilities include:

Board Governance

·       Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions

·       Engage the Board in mission and strategic decision-making for the organization, drawing on Board member knowledge and experience

·       Work with committee heads to schedule committee meetings, attend, and help document outcomes

·       Responsible for coordinating with Board Chair and Executive Committee on effective Board development, meetings and reporting

Financial Performance and Viability

·       Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support BKBW’s mission

·       Responsible for the fiscal integrity of BKBW, to include submission to the Board a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization

·       Responsible for fiscal management that anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position

Organization Mission and Strategy

·       Responsible for implementation of BKBW’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission

·       Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that BKBW can successfully fulfill its Mission into the future

·       Responsible for the enhancement of BKBW’s image and growth by being active and visible in the community, and by partnering with government, other community and civic organizations, and private organizations

Program Planning and Management

·        Work with Program Operations Manager to:

o   Develop short and medium-term program plans consistent with the organization’s strategic direction, goals, and benchmarks, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the design and implementation of programs

o   Plan, coordinate and oversee the execution of all program delivery, ensuring quality of instruction and outcomes

o   Recruit and manage relationships with school and program partners

·        Continuously assess trends and position BKBW appropriately in after school programming, STEM education, SEL, and educational boat building

Development

·       Work with the Development Committee of the Board and the Development Officer to develop and implement annual fundraising plan

·       Identify and conduct outreach to new and existing funders in government, private institutions, corporations, and major donors to ensure that annual fundraising goals are met or exceeded.

·       Work with Board members to raise funds from their constituents in a variety of ways

·       Work with the Development Committee to plan and host an annual spring party and silent auction event

·       Oversee the maintenance of BKBW’s website and social media

Organization Operations

·       Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, quality staff

·       Responsible for effective administration of BKBW’s finance and operations, including General Ledger and quarterly reconciliation management; financial statement reporting and reviews; audit requirements; federal and state compliance; annual filings; insurance; payroll and leases

Brooklyn Boatworks strongly encourages people of color, women, and individuals from the many communities we serve to apply.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.  Health insurance, vacation, sick and personal time benefits. 

To apply

Please send resume and a cover letter no longer than one page to [email protected], using subject line: ED Role.  Please, no phone calls.