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 Meerwald might be for you.

Bayshore Center at Bivalve

Seasonal Positions aboard S/V A. J. Meerwald

Please send Resume, References, and Cover letter to Fern Hoffmann, captain@bayshorecenter.org

Education Coordinator

Start Date: April 5, 2025
End Date: November 10, 2025
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

Job Description:
Employee serves as Education Coordinator and deckhand aboard the sailing vessel A.J. Meerwald, a wooden two masted schooner built in 1928. In addition to participating in sailing and maintenance of our 96-year old vessel as a deckhand, the Education Coordinator is responsible for working closely with the Mate, Captain, and shoreside office to organize and deliver Bayshore Center at Bivalve’s educational programming and maintain shipboard education equipment. During the public sail portion of the sailing season the Education Coordinator continues to take an active public-facing role and helps manage communication from the office to the ship about scheduling and ticket sales as well as leading the crew in customer service. The Education Coordinator helps train Deckhand Educators to deliver program content effectively and appropriately to a diverse range of populations in all the ports we visit during the season. The Education Coordinator reports to the Mate and Captain, and participates fully as a deckhand, including standing watches during transits and assisting in day to day chores.

Room and board is provided on the schooner, and when in our home port of Bivalve access is given to a communal crew house. Candidates for any position aboard AJM are expected to be community minded and respectful of their coworkers in these shared living situations.
Due to the conspicuous and public nature of our vessel and our community position as an educational platform and representatives of the state of New Jersey, all crewmembers are expected to adhere to a high level of courtesy and professionalism at all times, including their leisure hours and during their time away from the vessel.

Responsibilities:
-Participate in all sailing operations, including safety sensitive positions aboard including safe line handling
-Lead the crew by example with excellent customer service skills and situational awareness
-Deliver educational programming supplied by Bayshore Center at Bivalve in an engaging and age appropriate manner to students and the public, including safely handling marine life, and train deckhand educators
-Manage timekeeping and education station rotations on educational sails, be an engaging public speaker while maintaining situational awareness for students’ safety aboard
-Work closely with Mate, Captain, and office staff to organize scheduling and monitor ticket sales
-Maintain and organize education materials
-Participate in vessel maintenance, including prep and paint of wood and metal surfaces, engineering projects, woodworking, and marlinspike seamanship
-Stand watches during 24-hour operation
-In the absence of a cook, occasionally prepare meals for up to 10 people
-Effectively access and use digital record keeping for the ship and organization
-Use digital ticket sales and merchandise software
-According to ability and interest, work with office staff to improve current educational content and materials, and create new shipboard and/or museum education stations

Qualifications/Experience:
-Some familiarity with sailing strongly preferred, but willingness and enthusiasm to learn is imperative
-Physical ability to maintain balance and work safely around tripping hazards and on a moving vessel, ability to haul on and safely handle ropes under significant strain, ability to lift and carry heavy objects alone or with others
-Excellent situational awareness and safety consciousness, while maintaining a friendly and engaging manner and delivering educational content
-Strong public speaking skills and ability to improvise on supplied curriculum as needed, performance or theatre background a plus
-Excellent time management and ability to adapt to flexible time requirements
-Ability to work in cramped spaces and at times in a wide range of temperatures in an un-climate controlled workplace
-High degree of professionalism and strong customer service skills, professional demeanor and appearance
-First aid/CPR or other medical training certification preferred
-Ability to participate in emergency response plan

Special Requirements
-Current drug-free screening (will be enrolled in Maritime Consortium)
-Criminal background check required
-TWIC and/or MMC preferred
-1st aid/CPR, WFA, WFR, or other emergency medical training preferred
-College degree preferred, especially in related field (ex. education, history, marine biology)
-Familiarity with experiential and place based education strongly preferred

Compensation: $80 to $95 Daily
Benefits:
Room and board provided
Seatime and on the job training

 

Engineer

Job Description:

Employee serves as Engineer aboard the sailing vessel A.J. Meerwald, a wooden two masted schooner built in 1928. The Engineer reports to the Mate and Captain and is responsible for the maintenance and documentation of all mechanical systems aboard. Working closely with the Mate and Captain, the Engineer will organize, carry out, and document work on the main engine, generator, plumbing, and electrical systems. In addition to these duties the Engineer participates in general shipboard tasks, delivers educational programming, and stands watch during 24-hour operation on transits.Room and board is provided on the schooner, and when in our home port of Bivalve access is given to a communal crew house. Candidates for any position aboard AJM are expected to be community minded and respectful of their coworkers in these shared living situations.
Due to the conspicuous and public nature of our vessel and our community position as an educational platform and representatives of the state of New Jersey, all crewmembers are expected to adhere to a high level of courtesy and professionalism at all times, including their leisure hours and during their time away from the vessel.

  • Program & Itinerary:AJ MEERWALD is equipped with a 230HP John Deere marine diesel engine, a Northern Lights Generator, and a Raritan macerating marine head. The Engineer is also responsible for a 25hp yamaha outboard.
  • Responsibilities:-Participate in all sailing operations, including safety sensitive positions aboard
    -Safely maintain and operate main engine, generator, electrical and plumbing systems
    -Document engineering systems and maintenance, work with Mate and Captain to create maintenance plans
    -Maintain safe and orderly engineering spaces
    -Safe use of tools and machinery
    -Learn and demonstrate competence in safe line handling, situational awareness, and customer service
    -Deliver educational programming supplied by Bayshore Center at Bivalve in an engaging and age appropriate manner to students and the public, including safely handling marine life
    -Participate in vessel maintenance, including prep and paint of wood and metal surfaces, engineering projects, woodworking, and marlinspike seamanship
    -In the absence of a cook, occasionally prepare meals for up to 10 people
    -Stand watches during 24-hour operation
    -Effectively access and use digital record keeping for the ship and organization
    -Use digital ticket sales and merchandise software
  • Qualifications/Experience:-Familiarity with marine diesel engines, electrical and plumbing systems, and outboard engines
    -Ability to work independently and with a team
    -Excellent organizational and communication skills
    -Some familiarity with sailing strongly preferred, but willingness and enthusiasm to learn is imperative
    -Physical ability to maintain balance and work safely around tripping hazards and on a moving vessel, ability to haul on and safely handle ropes under significant strain, ability to lift and carry heavy objects alone or with others
    -Excellent situational awareness and safety consciousness
    -Ability to work in cramped spaces and at times in a wide range of temperatures in an un-climate controlled workplace
    -High degree of professionalism and strong customer service skills, professional demeanor and appearance
    -First aid/CPR or other medical training certification preferred
    -Ability to participate in emergency response planSpecial Requirements
    -Current drug-free screening (will be enrolled in Maritime Consortium)
    -Criminal background check required
    -1st aid/CPR, WFA, WFR, or other emergency medical training strongly preferred
  • Compensation: $80 to $140 Daily
  • Benefits: Room and board provided & Seatime and on the job training

Cook

Job Description:
Employee serves as Cook aboard the sailing vessel A.J. Meerwald, a wooden two masted schooner built in 1928. The Cook is responsible for making three healthy meals for a crew of 8-12 people each day, while providing for dietary restrictions. Other responsibilities include meal planning, budgeting, provisioning, and overseeing sanitation and cleanliness of the galley (kitchen). The Cook reports to the captain, and works with the Captain and Mate to schedule provisioning and mealtimes around the ship’s schedule.

Room and board is provided on the schooner, and when in our home port of Bivalve access is given to a communal crew house. Candidates for any position aboard AJM are expected to be community minded and respectful of their coworkers in these shared living situations.
Due to the conspicuous and public nature of our vessel and our community position as an educational platform and representatives of the state of New Jersey, all crewmembers are expected to adhere to a high level of courtesy and professionalism at all times, including their leisure hours and during their time away from the vessel.

Responsibilities:
-Prepare three healthy and flavorful meals a day, plus snacks as needed, for a crew of 8-10 people every day
-Adhere to budget of $8 per person, per day, for all food purchased
-Create balanced and appealing meal plans
-Provision sufficient groceries and cleaning supplies to be underway or away from shopping opportunities for 1 week or more at a time
-Work safely and efficiently in a small galley (kitchen) space, with limited refrigerated storage, limited fresh water resources, and a small stovetop/oven
-Maintain food safety and galley (kitchen) cleanliness, take into account dietary restrictions and food allergies
-Upon occasion the cook may be asked to provide meals for up to 20 people during special events or overnight programming
-Upon occasion cook may be tasked with preparing simple refreshments for dockside receptions

Qualifications/Experience:
-Excellent budgeting and organizational skills
-Excellent food safety and handling skills, and the ability to maintain a sanitary and organized work environment
-Excellent communication to collaborate with other ship’s departments in scheduling meals and provisioning
-Ability to work independently
-Ability to work in cramped spaces and at times in a wide range of temperatures in an un- climate controlled workplace
-High degree of professionalism and strong customer service skills, professional demeanor and appearance
-Familiarity with sailing a plus, but not required
-First aid/CPR or other medical training certification preferred
-Ability to participate in emergency response plan

Special Requirements
-Current drug-free screening (will be enrolled in Maritime Consortium)
-Criminal background check required
-Up to date food safety license strongly preferred

Compensation: $90 to $105 Daily
Benefits: Room and board provided & Seatime and on the job training