What are the responsibilities and job description for the Crew Boatsman position at The Taft School?
The Taft School seeks a boatsman for a fall 2026 start date. This role can be combined with any of the full-time vacancies for the 2026-2027 academic year or can be a part-time, seasonal coach position. This is an excellent opportunity to work with students from around the world, gain valuable experience at a leading independent school and work in a supportive professional environment.
Maintain boat fleet
- Taft owns twelve 4 shells and two 8 shells
- Coordinates the purchase and sale of boats with the crew program director
- Maintain the shells annually
- Navigate boat repairs on an ad hoc basis
- Inventory and catalog parts and spare parts
Launch fleet maintenance
- Taft owns eight launches and engines to outfit each launch
- Coordinate with Ace Marine for winterizing/summerizing all engines each season
- Coordinate the emergency service of engines with Ace Marine on an ad hoc basis
- Ensure gas delivery for all launches weekly.
Equipment maintenance:
- Megaphone, megaphone batteries, megaphone battery charger, walkie-talkies, and walkie talkies chargers for coaches
- Cox boxes (device, charger, microphone) and survival suits for coxswains. Replacement of parts as they wear out.
- Electric bilge pump to bail launches
Litchfield Hills Rowing Club coordination with the head coaches:
- Maintains and cultivates relationship with LHRC
- Daily texts with Drew Combs about weather conditions, rowing site problem-solving, daily schedules, use of space considerations (boat storage and trailer loading), and other unforeseen issues
Trailering logistics:
- Friday, the trailer travels to the boathouse empty and returns with boats
- Saturday, the trailer departs before the rest of the team and is parked and ready to be unloaded when athletes and coaches arrive. It leaves after athletes and coaches depart
- Monday, the trailer travels to the boathouses with boats and returns empty
- The driver of the trailer is responsible for all boats, oars, slings, and other equipment for the entirety of the time that the trailer and truck are on the road
Additional qualifications include:
- A demonstrated commitment to the tenets described in the school’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Portrait of a Learner;
- A bachelor’s degree and at least three years of relevant experience;
- The ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of students, employees, and other campus stakeholders to support and expand programmatic and institutional goals; and an interest in joining a residential community that serves a globally-inclusive student body.
- Authorized to work in the United States of America.
The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals.