Lead Rigger

Mystic Seaport Museum seeks a skilled and experienced Lead Rigger to join our Watercraft Department. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for planning, supervising, and executing all maintenance of vessel rigging systems on a daily, seasonal, and long-term basis.

• Inspect and maintain rigging on museum vessels, external clients, and other museum infrastructure and exhibits.
• Execute all aspects of vessel maintenance and preservation with a focus on historic rigging systems.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the rigging shop and inventory of rigging supplies and tools.
• Maintain full environmental compliance in all vessel maintenance activities.
• Plan and participate in maintenance of rigs and spars of museum vessels.
• Maintain accurate and timely records for vessel rig histories and maintenance.
• Plan and construct traditional rigging systems for newbuild vessels.
• Work with shipyard general maintenance supervisor and foreman to plan, coordinate, and supervise volunteer activities related to rigging maintenance.
• Support shipwrights and others in planning and execution of lifting operations.
• Maintain working knowledge of rope and rigging materials and inventories.
• Participate in hauling, launching, and movement of all watercraft.
• Work as needed in other areas of the Watercraft Department, including vessel operations and shipwright work.

• Five years' experience with traditional ships rigging and vessel maintenance services.
• Knowledge of traditional rigging, safe work aloft, traditional rigging inspection and maintenance.
• Experience in safe operation of forklifts, woodworking, and machine tools.
• Knowledge of traditional vessel maintenance practices, procedures, and materials.
• Knowledge of application of marine coating, traditional and modern, to vessels constructed of all materials.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and management of all materials within this area of responsibility.
• Knowledge of shipbuilding techniques, vessel structure terminology, and all materials.
• Prior experience supervising others.
• Ability to work with staff, trustees, volunteers, and the general public.
• Willingness to work flexible hours in performance of responsibilities.
• Willingness to work weekends to coordinate volunteers, special events, and other functions.
• A valid Connecticut state driver's license.
• A high degree of flexibility in performance of responsibilities and tasks.
• Job requires bending, lifting, climbing, and prolonged physical activity in all weather conditions.

Salary: $25/hour