Cook/Educator, LADY MARYLAND

Job Description 

Cook/Educator, LADY MARYLAND   

The Cook’s job onboard the sailing vessel Lady Maryland is a crucial one. The efficient completion of its responsibilities is essential for the smooth operation of the vessel. The Cook answers to the Captain.  

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

1. Menu planning, provisioning, and providing food for the ship’s crew, volunteers, and VIP’s during day sails.  This includes 3 meals a day for ship’s crew (6 - 8 persons) and occasionally lunch and/or dinner for volunteers and VIP’s. (usually no more than 10 people total).

2. Keeping in touch with the dietary and culinary needs/wants of the crew and provisioning accordingly.  

3. Cleaning up after meals except for daily dinner dishes which are assigned to a crew member each week.  The only exception to this would be if the ship is underway with an education program on-going. 

4. Menu planning, provisioning, and providing food for the crew and cadets during extended cruises. (20 persons, three meals per day).

5. Involving cadets (usually two at a time) with galley operations during extended cruises. This is part of their experience of living on board the ship. The Cadets should be doing the work!

6. Planning, provisioning and preparing light hors d’oeuvres for occasional Foundation functions on board the vessel (Trustee trips, etc.)

7. Keeping the galley and Midships area in a neat, clean, and sanitary, condition at all times.  This area is the most public “below decks” area of the ship and must be maintained with this in mind.

8. Assisting outside caterers with the use of vessel facilities.

9. Performing all tasks, both in the galley and on deck, in a safe manner.

10. Vessel security - Gate closed - Guests must ask permission before boarding and the Captain must be notified of their arrival.

11. Maintaining Passenger Comfort and Safety - Making sure that they follow the rules and regulations of the ship as outlined by the Captain in the Safety Orientation and manuals.

12. Being familiar with and observing the vessel’s STANDING ORDERS and EMERGENCY STATION BILL as described by the Captain.

13. Being familiar with the operation of all galley systems as well as general vessel systems.

14. Making volunteers and VIP’s feel as comfortable as possible.

15. Proper greeting of passengers and the general public showing the vessel, program, and the Living Classrooms Foundation, in a positive light.

16. Assisting in the implementation of on-board education programs.

17. Maintaining professionalism at all times as an important representative of the Living Classrooms Foundation.

18. The Cook is encouraged to participate in the ship’s day sail education program.  

Additional Requirements and Notes: 

• This is a seasonal position, from March through November. 

• Hours: The Cook’s working hours differ than other crewmembers’ and they circle around mealtimes.  Our typical workday runs from 0800 -1630 however, the Cook must start earlier to prepare for breakfast at 0730, lunch @ 1200, and dinner between 1700 and 1800.  Occasionally, everyone works late if the vessel has an evening trip.   

• It is essential that crewmembers understand that shipboard life is demanding of both one’s energy and time and that it may often be necessary to work extra hours until a project is completed or until a reasonable stopping point is reached. 

• Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered.  Proof of vaccination will be required. 

• Must be willing to submit to pre-employment drug testing and background check, with negative results. All crewmembers will be enrolled in a random drug testing program for the duration of employment. 

• Previous experience working aboard vessels is highly desired.  Experience working with students in a non-traditional setting is also preferred. 

• This is a liveaboard position

• Will be expected to lift moderately heavy objects and work outside in a variety of weather conditions, including light to moderate rain as well as other weather extremes. 

All ship’s personnel and educators are expected to work six trips per week over the course of a five day work week during the day sail season. This will include five day trips and one evening trip. Extra trips and days worked will be compensated for with Comp Pay. When working in day sail mode, but away from Baltimore, compensation and working hours shall be the same as when sailing in Baltimore. When the ship is out of town, crewmembers shall continue to live aboard (i.e., leaving “for the weekend” shall be discouraged and is permissible only after prior arrangements have been made with the Captain.)  If aboard a vessel operating extended overnight trips with students living on board or camping ashore, additional compensation will be given in the form of Comp Pay. See the crew manual for a further explanation of Comp Pay. 

Living Classrooms Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Handicapped Persons are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap status, Vietnam era or disabled Veterans status. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by personnel assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. 

Position Start Date: March 3, 2025

Job Duration: Seasonal Full-Time 

Salary: $1320/bi-weekly ($16.50/hr)