Clearwater acknowledges that the construct of race disproportionally affects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We reflect and take action to ensure that our organization does not perpetuate white supremacy. Clearwater respects LGBTQIA+ people and we use language and actions that are respectful of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Clearwater celebrates and welcomes members of all race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, physical or mental disability, or age to apply.

If you are interested in volunteering with Clearwater onboard the sloop or in another capacity please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Education Director

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater seeks an innovative, collaborative, and experienced Education Director who can lead a unique life-changing education program. The Education Director plans, implements, and manages Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s hands-on, experiential educational programs and sailing experiences for children, adults, and families. As a member of the leadership team, the Education Director will collaborate with the Executive Director as well as other Department Directors on strategic planning, fundraising, and administration Clearwater’s success depends on our collective conviction to the necessity of a healthy Hudson River, watershed, and ecosystem. The Education Director reports to the Executive Director. Click here to read the full job description,

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume (as attachments) to hr@clearwater.org by September 13, 2024.

Winter Sloop Restoration Positions

Now hiring for the 2024-2025 Winter Season. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to captains@clearwater.org with the job title in the subject line.

Winter Engineer
Seasonal, November 2024 – March 2025
Category: Deck: Unlicensed

The Clearwater is now accepting applications for the position of Engineer for the 2024-2025 winter season (November 15 – March 30). Under the direction of the Captain, the Engineer is responsible for the care and maintenance of the vessel’s mechanical and electrical systems. This includes: 

  • Winterizing and de-winterizing the main engine, the on-deck engine and fire pump system, the freshwater system, the bilge pumping system, the refrigerator system, and the electrical systems
  • Assessing the realignment of the main engine
  • Installing and maintaining the diesel winter furnace
  • Checking and maintaining bubblers
  • Checking and repairing the vessel’s safety and emergency gear
  • Maintaining and organizing engineering tools and equipment, keeping the engine room and engineering space in the shop properly stowed 
  • Maintaining engine room logs and reporting inventory needs of the upcoming season to the Captain
  • Turning over a season’s end report

Room and board are included in this position. 

Winter Bosun
Seasonal, November 2024 – March 2025
Category: Deck: Unlicensed

The Clearwater is now accepting applications for the position of Winter Bosun for the 2024-2025 winter maintenance season (November 15 – March 30). Under the direction of the Winter Maintenance Coordinator and Captain, the Bosun is responsible for regularly scheduled winter maintenance projects as well as projects specific to each winter. These include:

  • Implementing and supervising maintenance projects such as servicing blocks, sanding, painting, varnishing, and inspecting lines and rigging
  • Maintaining tools and equipment, organizing boat parts
  • Managing emptying of the bosun’s locker in the winter and properly restowing in the spring
  • Researching and ordering new pieces of rigging equipment
  • Maintaining list of supplies and equipment needed for the winter and sailing seasons
  • Turning over a season’s end report

Room and board are included in this position.

Winter Maintenance Coordinator
Seasonal, starting November 2024 – March 2025
Category: Deck: Unlicensed

The Sloop Clearwater sails on the Hudson River, between Albany and NYC, and works to provide innovative environmental education programs, advocacy, and celebrations designed to expand people’s experience, awareness and stewardship of this magnificent natural resource. Clearwater spends the Winter Maintenance season docked in Kingston, NY. 

The Clearwater is now accepting applications for the position of Winter Maintenance Coordinator for the 20245-2025 winter season (November 15 – March 30). Under the direction of the Captain, the Winter Maintenance Coordinator will:

  • Manage the winter bosun and oversee maintenance projects
  • Work with the captain to assist with larger scale maintenance projects
  • Work with shipwrights to maintain a work schedule and support them as needed
  • Manage winter maintenance trainees and foster their learning
  • Create a comprehensive work list and manage time to complete as much as possible
  • Assist in carpentry and rigging projects with the bosun 
  • Schedule volunteer days and ensure they are used with maximum efficiency

Room and board are included with this position.

Winter Trainee
Seasonal, Four 10-week positions, starting November 2024 and ending March 2025

The Clearwater is now accepting applications for the position of Winter Trainee for the 2024-2025 winter season (November 15 – March 30). Under the direction of the Captain and the Winter Maintenance Coordinator trainees will assist in winter maintenance projects of this traditionally-rigged wooden sailing vessel. This is an entry-level, learning position. Ideal candidates are willing to learn and ask questions, do physical labor, and focus on the task at hand. 

Room and board are included in this position. 

Sailing Crew

Clearwater employs 6 full-season professional crew (First Mate, Second Mate, Engineer, Bosun, Deckhand, and Cook) for four-month contracts and 4 partial season crew (Sailing Trainees and Educator Deckhands). In addition to pay, room and board, crew members receive two days off per week. All crew members are expected to develop a thorough knowledge of the vessel, safety standards, and emergency procedures. Crew are required to pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to random drug testing throughout their contract. Clearwater crew serve as instructors in the sloop’s education program under the direction of an Onboard Education Coordinator. The crew is joined by 4-6 education volunteers each week with whom they are expected to maintain good rapport throughout the week.

We are not currently hiring any on-board sailing season roles. We are hiring for our Winter Sloop Restoration season – for full job descriptions and details on applying, click here.