The Connecticut River Museum seeks a Manager of Membership and Special Events, who will be an integral member of the Museum’s development team. In collaboration with other Museum staff, this person will develop and implement donor engagement strategies for the Connecticut River Museum through membership campaigns, individual and institutional stewardship, and special events. The Manager will have an exciting opportunity to build a robust membership program from a stable base, working across museum departments. This person will also cultivate and manage outside rentals of the Museum facilities. In addition, the Manager will execute a variety of memorable special events and support a robust event schedule related to the celebration of the Museum’s 50th Anniversary in 2023-4. The Manager will also take on additional projects that help support the Museum’s current five-year strategic plan.

This position requires a detail-oriented, proactive, and dynamic individual who enjoys engaging with the public. An ideal candidate has strong communication and program management skills, excellent customer service, the ability to solve problems, and creativity. The position requires the ability to coordinate with vendors and representatives as well as support members and donors at all levels.

The Museum provides competitive compensation and benefits for all eligible employees. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Read the full job description and learn how to apply here.

The Connecticut River Museum seeks an Assistant Director of Development to grow and sustain a robust fundraising operation. The Assistant Director of Development works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, and other key stakeholders to cultivate and steward giving from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources and to ensure that development activities are deeply embedded within the mission, work, and culture of the museum. The Assistant Director should be excited to expand the current base of support as the Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary and seeks substantial new resources to grow its programming, operations, and campus.

The Assistant Director will be responsible for the daily management of the development functions of CRM. This position oversees coordination of all fundraising activities, appeals, solicitations and special events, oversight and management of donor records, and the departmental calendar.

With the Executive Director, the Assistant Director guides the fundraising efforts of the Museum, works closely across departments to achieve fund-raising goals, and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that increase, diversify, and sustain philanthropic support.

The Museum provides competitive compensation and benefits for all eligible employees. This is a full- time exempt position.

Read the full job description and learn how to apply here.

Administrative Assistant & Board Liaison

The Connecticut River Museum seeks an Administrative Assistant & Board Liaison to serve as an office manager, to provide assistance to the Museum Director, and to support the Board of Trustees. This position organizes and executes a broad range of tasks in support of the overall mission of the Museum and plays a key role in ensuring the efficiency of museum operations. In addition to administrative functions, this position produces presentations and materials, prepares materials for Board Committees and Board meetings, and assists the ED with the management of department-wide initiatives and special projects, as assigned. A particular and critical function of this role is to serve as a point person for the Museum’s external accounting agency and to perform basic financial tasks. The Executive Assistant to the Museum Director reports directly to the Museum Director.

The Museum provides competitive compensation and benefits for all eligible employees. This is a full-time exempt position.

Read the full job description and learn how to apply here.

Part Time Visitor Support 

We are looking for a “people person” that will work between departments as needed.   They would learn Front Desk duties, support Public Programs/Events, and lend a hand with Education Programs.  This person needs to be available weekends and an occasional evening.  15 – 20 hours/wk.

Sailing vessel Onrust and Tour Boat RiverQuest needs crew for Summer and Fall 2022! Ideal applicants will be able to work at least through the end of October. Onrust is a re-creation of the Dutch Yacht used by Captain Adriaen Block to explore the New Netherlands territory in 1614. RiverQuest is a 65’ twin hulled catamaran style tour boat. Both depart from the CT River Museum dock in scenic Essex CT, we offer regular public cruises to museum patrons. We also offer special themed cruises, private charters, and educational experiences to school groups, with a focus on local history and the environment. Occasional voyages to other ports are a possibility.

Crew must be capable of following the captain’s orders. Some level of physical fitness is needed to haul on lines and move about the boat in a safe manner. Crew must also serve as educators, nature guides, and historic interpreters on board, and will be called on to speak clearly, audibly, and enthusiastically to groups of up to 50 people. When representing the museum and the vessels, crew should maintain a high level of civility. Above all, the crew must be safety conscious and be aware of their surroundings.

Onrust and RiverQuest are US Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels. As such, all crew must pass a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in a random drug testing program for the term of service.

Onrust and RiverQuest are not live-aboard vessels; crew must commute to work.
This work is seasonal; both vessels operate May through October. We offer regular public sails & cruises Wednesday through Sunday, but charters and special programs may be scheduled on any day, at any time. The more available and flexible you can be, the more work will be available to you. Maintenance work such as painting and varnishing is a possibility, and may continue into November.

Experience working on the water is valuable, but we will train the right people. This is a great job for anyone who loves nature, history, and engaging with the public in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Interested applicants should email their resume to Dan Thompson: captain@ctrivermuseum.org

Gunner’s Mate

Expectations

• Experience with the use and care of black powder weapons
• Some knowledge of history regarding black powder weapons
• Good public speaking/presentation abilities
• Safety conscious

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain Onrust‘s guns; this may include repairing and staining the carriages as well as cleaning and oiling the barrels
• Demonstrate cannon firing to the public for occasional events
• A Gunner’s Mate may be asked to act as a Boatswain’s Mate at times

Time Commitment

• At least twice a year there will be a day devoted to cannon care
• Be willing to sign up for specific events, either underway or dockside, that involve the firing of Onrust’s

Interested applicants should email their resume to Dan Thompson: captain@ctrivermuseum.org

Carpenter’s Mate

Expectations

• Have significant skill and experience with carpentry; wooden boat experience a big plus
• Own your own tools; access to a woodshop very desirable
• Metal working/blacksmithing ability very desirable
• Ability to work independently

Responsibilities

• Take on specific repairs or improvements on board Onrust, as outlined by the Captain. Examples of jobs: build new gangway steps, rebuild/repair engine cover, replace wooden cleats, replace deck planking, rebuild some interior cabinets

Time Commitment

• Meet with captain and/or volunteer coordinator at least twice a year to discuss and plan projects.
• Project time depends on the project

Non-vaccinated individuals are expected to have a mask on them, and wear it if going below. Hand sanitizer is available on board. All current museum staff and boat crew are fully vaccinated.

Interested applicants should email their resume to Dan Thompson: captain@ctrivermuseum.org

Boatswain’s Mates

Expectations

• Ability to follow orders and work with others as a team
• Familiarity with hand tools, paint brushes, electric sanders
• Other desirable skills/ knowledge: splicing, knot tying, sewing, marine diesel maintenance, marine electrical
• Safety conscious
• Able to swim

Responsibilities

• Participate in general vessel maintenance, including, but not limited to, tasks such as sanding, painting, varnishing, caulking

Time Commitment

• Between April and October, there will be at least 4 “all hands” Onrust maintenance days of about 6 hours in length
• During haul out times (typically spring or fall), there may be several days in a row where Boatswain’s mates will be asked to serve as much as they are willing
• Depending on skill set and needs of the vessel, other responsibilities may be assigned to particular mates

Non-vaccinated individuals are expected to have a mask on them, and wear it if going below. Hand sanitizer is available on board. All current museum staff and boat crew are fully vaccinated.

Interested applicants should email their resume to Dan Thompson: captain@ctrivermuseum.org

The Connecticut River Museum, located on the waterfront in Essex, CT is seeking interns to assist in many areas of important Museum work. Internship opportunities are available for College Students in the education, collections, marketing, and fundraising departments. The Connecticut River Museum uses its exhibitions, museum programs and on-water activities to explore the rich cultural and environmental heritage of the River. Interns will have the opportunity to receive broad-based experience through a wide range of projects. Some evening and weekend time may be required.