Professional Crew (Captain, First Mate, Bosun, Watch Officer, Cook)

About the role

SALTS, a Christian-based sail and life training society in Victoria, British Columbia, is hiring paid professional crew for its schooners. Crew provide sail and life training to young people and live in close community aboard the ships. The sailing season runs from March through October; crew are at sea 4 nights and 5 days per week in spring and fall, with a paid week off in late June and early September and paid vacation days in the winter. Full-time year-round positions are available, and the organization is also seeking full-time and part-time relief Captains.

Key responsibilities

• Captain: overall responsibility for ship navigation, safety and delivery of the program; must hold a Master 150 GT or higher ticket and complete the in-house Captain-in-Training program.
• First Mate: second-in-command, leads a watch group of trainees and helps manage the crew and program under the captain's direction.
• Bosun: youth mentorship and spiritual care, ship maintenance including machinery and brightwork, and leading a watch group through shipboard activities.
• Watch Officer: watch leadership, youth mentorship, spiritual care, leading trainees through shipboard activities, and serving as the ship's primary First Aid officer.
• Cook: cook for 30-40 people four times daily, youth mentorship and spiritual care, and assisting with sail training and program activities.

Required profile

• Ability to work with young people and respond to their spiritual needs.
• Agreement with a Christian statement of faith and ethics, reviewed during hiring.
• Canadian citizenship or a current Canadian work permit; foreign certificate holders with reciprocal arrangements may still be considered.
• Entry-level crew receive training after hiring; experienced sailors are also considered for officer roles.

What we offer

• Annual salary starting at $40,000, rising with experience, up to $104,000 for Captain (total compensation around $123,000 including benefits and RRSP contributions).
• Group health and dental benefits.
• Training course costs covered by SALTS.
• Paid vacation days and a paid week off in June and September.