Description

Position Title: Watercraft General Laborer

Status: RFT- Not to exceed 18 months.

Department:  Shipyard

Reports To: Director of Shipyard

Coordinates with: Watercraft Hall Project Manager, Watercraft Curator, Shipyard, Facilities, and other Museum department as necessary

Purpose of Position:
Work with Watercraft Curator and Watercraft Hall Project Manager, and Shipyard staff to execute various manual tasks watercraft collection, large item collection, shipyard, and museum operations. Available to assist other museum departments as needed / available.

Essential Functions:  

• Operate equipment such as forklift, personnel lift, telehandler.
• Lifting and moving heavy blocking, lumber, small boats, cradles, and other watercraft collection and museum equipment.
• Fabricate vessel blocking, cradling for moving and displaying historic vessels.
• Loading and unloading vessels and materials from vehicles and vessels.
• Vessel and facility maintenance including painting, sanding, light carpentry, exhibit fabrication.
• Snow removal as needed. 
• Keeping the work areas clean and orderly.
• Adherence to safety rules and policies.
• Operate trucks and work boats to supply support services for the Museum as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely records for vessel maintenance activities
• Assisting in general yard and machine maintenance.
• Participate in hauling, launching, cleaning, scraping, and movement of all watercraft
• Work as needed in other areas of the shipyard such as rigging, and shipwright work. 
• Perform some specialized tasks which may require on the job training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

 Qualifications: 

• Boatyard / Shipyard knowledge preferred.
• Knowledge / Experience in the safe moving of boats on land with cradles, trailers, and various lifts.
• Willingness to work outdoors in diverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of traditional rigging, safe work aloft, traditional rigging inspection and maintenance.
• Experience operating forklifts and other shipyard equipment preferred. 
• Knowledge of traditional vessel maintenance practices, procedures, and materials
• Ability to work with staff, volunteers, and the general public
• Willingness to work flexible hours in performance of responsibilities
• Willingness to work weekends to for special events and other functions.
• A valid Connecticut state driver’s license
• A high degree of flexibility in performance of responsibilities and tasks
• Job requires bending, lifting, climbing, and prolonged physical activity in all weather conditions