Relief Mate at South Street Seaport Museum – New York, New York

The Mate assists, at the direction of the Captain, in all aspects of the operation, handling, and maintenance of the 1885 schooner Pioneer and the 1930 tugboat W.O. Decker. They serve as a teacher and leader of the crew. They create and maintain an atmosphere of inclusivity, healthy development, and free of harassment. They maintain clear communication with the Captain and Fleet Mate. They serve as liaison with visitors and the public.

Program and Itinerary

The South Street Seaport Museum inspires exploration of New York City by preserving and interpreting the ?city’s origins and growth as a world port, a place where goods, labor, and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce, and the interaction of diverse communities.

Aboard the Museum’s operational vessel, participants of all backgrounds and ages engage in history, environmental, social, and other curricular subjects during two-hour and three-hour, hands-on sailing programs. Pioneer also offers corporate and private charters and ticketed public excursion sails Wednesday through Sunday from May to October.

Occasional trips beyond New York Harbor on both operational vessels with similar programming occur each season as well.

Learn more about the ships
seaportmuseum.org/about-pioneer
seaportmuseum.org/about-decker

• Report for shifts on time and be prepared for the workday.
• Learn, understand, and follow all policies of the Museum that relate to your job, in particular PPE and safety procedures as set forth in employee handbook, training, and orientation.
• Interact with guests to provide for comfort and safety.
• Facilitate and encourage guest connection with the opportunities and experiences encountered on each sail and at the Museum.
• Participate in USCG required drug testing program.
• Provide evidence of completion of NYC Sexual Harassment Prevention Training by June 15, 2026.
• Maintain a clean, healthy and safe work environment, free of harassment at all times.
• Keep the ship’s log for any time they are aboard.
• Conduct regular boat checks while on watch.
• Report and/or correct any issues found and keep a general “sailor’s eye” out for unusual conditions and developing problems.
• Provide ongoing training to crew through leadership, management, and delegation, including use of PPE and other safety gear, the Pioneer Sail Training Manual, and other resources.
• Have a thorough understanding of safety equipment and procedures.
• Respond to and file reports on any emergency situations that occur on their watch.
• Control heavy objects and their movement, as well as work in environmentally challenging conditions. Unstable, wet, cold, slippery, etc. is part of the job. The Mate is expected to maintain personal safety for themselves and others when dealing with these challenges.
• Participate in at least one training sail per month.
• Beginning June 1, 2026, sail at least three trips with passengers per month. This may include trips on Pioneer and W.O. Decker.
• Maintain certification in CPR/AED and First Aid.
• Attend scheduled crew meetings.
• Assist other Museum staff in projects as needed on other vessels or the Museum campus.

While aboard and in other situations where there is a connection to the Museum and its fleet, conduct oneself in a manner that represents the professionalism of the ships and the Museum in the best possible light

South Street Seaport Museum strongly encourages applications from members of groups underrepresented both in museums and maritime careers. Non-traditional applicants and/or those with suitable alternatives to the above criteria are encouraged to apply.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Applicants must be able to:

• Work effectively under a variety of conditions, including heat, sun, wind, cold, and darkness.
• Move safely on the moving deck and in the confined spaces below with sufficient agility.
• Haul on lines under strain and lift up to 40 pounds.

This is a part-time seasonal position lasting from April until mid-November 2026.

Compensation is: $25 hour

• Benefits:
  • Learn and develop skills and experience in vessel operation and historic ship care in New York Harbor—one of the busiest waterways in the country.
  • Training and career development assistance is available through the Museum.

**Note that this is not a live-aboard position**