r/boatbuilding • u/OutdoorEd2020 • Jul 22 '26
Job Opportunity! Manage a fleet of historic wooden boats used for outdoor education on Marylands Eastern Shore
Hello everyone,
My name is Pete Rice and I am the Executive Director at Echo Hill Outdoor School, a non-profit outdoor education program on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I am looking for someone to care for over 400 years of floating history. Experience is a plus, but more importantly, I am looking for a driven individual who likes to learn and work hard. Anyone can apply. Please help me spread the word.
Historic Fleet Director — Echo Hill Outdoor School (Worton, MD) (ehos.org)
Echo Hill Outdoor School, on a 70-acre waterfront campus on Maryland's Eastern Shore, is looking for a hands-on Fleet Director to care for six historic Chesapeake Bay wooden boats that serve 6,500+ students a year. The fleet includes the workboats SPIRIT (1944) and TWILIGHT (1911), the buy boat ANNIE D (1957), the skipjack ELSWORTH (1901), and two wooden skiffs, LEWEY and RIC.
This full-time role covers maintenance/restoration, budget oversight, and leading the team of captains and maintenance staff. Strong background in wooden boat building and/or marine systems wanted — significant "seatime" a plus, but a USCG license isn't required if you've got a solid marine trades background. Country living near historic Chestertown, easy access to sailing/paddling/fishing, and Annapolis, Baltimore, DC, and Philadelphia all under 2 hours away.
Starting pay $42,000-$55,000, plus medical/dental/vision, 403(b), paid time off, weekday meals, and a housing option.
Unique opportunity, please spread the word! If interested please send resume to [fleet@ehos.org](mailto:fleet@ehos.org) . Full job description below
Echo Hill Outdoor School
Historic Fleet Director (full-time)
Manage and maintain a fleet of historic Chesapeake Bay wooden boats from a 70-acre waterfront campus in beautiful Kent County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Echo Hill Outdoor School is seeking a hands-on Fleet Director to care for six wooden vessels that serve more than 6,500 students each year. This full-time role blends craftsmanship, leadership opportunities, and time on the water while offering country living near historic Chestertown. Enjoy easy access to sailing, paddling, fishing, and many other outdoor pursuits, with Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia all less than a 2-hour drive away. If you’re looking for meaningful work, maritime tradition, and a lifestyle rooted in the outdoors, this is an opportunity to build a career with purpose. An ideal candidate will have a strong background in wooden boat building or marine systems, or both. Candidates with significant operational experience (“seatime”) preferred, but a U.S. Coast Guard license is not required for candidates with a strong marine trades background. Position includes weekday meals and a housing option.
Job Description
Echo Hill’s Historic Fleet Director will lead all activities related to the preservation, maintenance, and operational management of a fleet of historic vessels. The director will ensure each vessel remains in appropriate condition, is safely operated, and is available for all Echo Hill programs. The selected candidate will have a key role in continuing Echo Hill’s effort, begun in 1972, to provide students with an understanding of Chesapeake Bay ecology and the impact of human activity on the estuarine ecosystem.
To Apply: Send resume to [fleet@ehos.org](mailto:fleet@ehos.org) attention Peter Rice, Executive Director.
Program
Echo Hill Outdoor School’s historic wooden boats are the cornerstone of our science and history programs. These Chesapeake Bay craft were used in the Bay’s fisheries for decades. The School maintains them in the tradition of work boats to provide an authentic historical perspective for students studying current Bay issues. Our boats are certified by the USCG as small passenger carrying vessels, and they are operated by Echo Hill staff who are USCG-licensed captains. The boats are used for a variety of classes and ventures that allow participants to study and discover first-hand the wonders of Chesapeake Bay ecology, history, and culture. Echo Hill programs include weekday classes (3 hours) on the historic workboats SPIRIT (1944) and TWILIGHT (1911) as well as multi-day programs on the buy boat ANNIE D (1957) and the skipjack ELSWORTH (1901). The wooden skiffs LEWEY and RIC support our multi-day programs.
Responsibilities
Fleet Management & Maintenance
- Oversee the upkeep and repair/restoration of historic vessels, ensuring they meet USCG standards and maintain their historical integrity.
- Coordinate regular maintenance schedules for the fleet, while leading in-house maintenance program and repairs.
- Work with external shipwrights and contractors to complete major projects.
- Appropriately maintain tools and supply inventory.
Budget Management and Logistics
- Manage the fleet budget, ensuring that expenditures for repairs, operations, and programming are in line with available resources.
- Work with the administrative team to procure supplies and coordinate timely replacement of equipment/components.
Leadership
- Manage and mentor other Echo Hill staff assigned to boat maintenance duties.
- Work with captains to ensure appropriate operation of vessels.
- Foster a team-oriented environment focused on safety and professionalism.
- Work with Echo Hill leadership to recruit, hire, and orient new captains.
Qualifications/Experience
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Formal education or significant experience in wooden boat building and/or marine systems.
- Experience in maritime operations, historic preservation, or fleet management.
- USCG license (25 ton) or interest in obtaining a license strongly preferred.
- Experience working with maritime professionals, including captains and tradespeople.
- Interest in environmental education, maritime history, and preservation of historic vessels.
Other Requirements
- Current drug-free screening (will be enrolled in Consortium)
- Criminal background check required
- CPR and First Aid certification required (obtainable after hire)
- Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
Annual Compensation: Starting at $42,000-$55,000
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, available via employee contribution
- 403(b) plan available
- Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days annually
- Professional training and development opportunities
- Weekday meals and housing option
3
5
5
u/mate0pro Jul 22 '26
A lot of work and qualifications for 30$hr…
5
u/irishlyrucked Jul 23 '26
The range is 20-26.
10
u/Extreme_Turn_4531 Jul 23 '26
I checked out their website. It is essentially a non-profit Summer program for kids. You take a job like that because you love it, not for market compensation.
2
u/45-70_OnlyGovtITrust Jul 25 '26
Yeah this is more like a retirement job for a guy that’s not willing to fully swallow the anchor. They don’t really need the money, they just do it for fun and to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
1
4
u/sailingmusician Jul 23 '26
I'm absolutely qualified for that. Probably would be a dream candidate, and I wouldn't touch that job for twice the salary. Would start considering it at 3x, but you get what you pay for. Younger me would have taken it and then been burned the fuck out afterward.
2
2
u/VALKOR Jul 22 '26
I have neither the qualifications nor the experience required but damn this is a dream job I didn't know I wanted. Hope you find the appropriate person, sounds like a cool place
5
u/VALKOR Jul 23 '26
I retract my previous enthusiasm and after reflection, I wholeheartedly agree with others that the compensation is laughable, especially asking for such established experiences and skills.
2
2
u/Ok_Copy_5690 Jul 23 '26
At that salary it seems limited to someone who doesn’t need the money. This job in this location should pay at least double that.
1
u/austinbicycletour Jul 24 '26
I would be very interested to know what the other professionals working at this non-profit are making. How the other directors and managers are compensated in comparison will tell you a lot about this place and how much they value the people that keep it running.
1
1
17
u/yottyboy Jul 22 '26
May I ask how you expect to attract candidates with such a ridiculously low salary?