Friends of Casco Bay seeks an experienced and skilled boat captain to join our team as a Pumpout Coordinator, helping to protect the health of Casco Bay. This part-time, seasonal role supports our pumpout program, ensuring boaters can properly and conveniently dispose of sewage. You will operate our pumpout vessel, Headmaster, coordinate schedules, maintain records, and serve as an ambassador for clean waters.
About Friends of Casco Bay
Friends of Casco Bay is a nonprofit marine advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the health of Casco Bay. Through water quality monitoring, pollution reduction advocacy, and community engagement, we work to keep this special place resilient for generations to come. Casco Bay is an Estuary of National Significance, located in the Gulf of Maine, and a federally designated No Discharge Zone. Boaters cannot dump sewage in the Bay. Our pumpout service has prevented over 270,000 gallons of sewage from entering the Bay since 1995.
Responsibilities
Pumpout operations:
- Operate the pumpout boat to remove sewage from recreational and commercial vessels and safely discharge it at shoreside facilities. Accommodate customers according to schedules and requests.
- Work independently and coordinate schedules with our other Pumpout Coordinator; only one Pumpout Coordinator can operate the boat at a time.
- Serve as an on-the-water ambassador for Friends of Casco Bay.
- Manage an independent schedule that includes organizational meetings and customer service responsibilities.
- Build relationships with marina operators and boat owners. Return calls and email inquiries promptly and politely.
- Provide information and technical advice. Inform customers, other boaters, and local marina staff about how to use pumpout facilities and how to report shoreside facilities that have become nonoperational. Encourage the use of shoreside pumpout services.
- Help keep an eye on the health of Casco Bay by being an active Water Reporter and by reporting issues of concern to the Casco Baykeeper.
- Keep Headmaster and its pump in good working order. Work with other staff to ensure that the Headmaster and Baykeeper boat undergo scheduled maintenance.
- Operate the vessel in compliance with Friends of Casco Bay protocols and regulations for handling human waste. Conduct safety check-in with mainland contact at least every 90 minutes.
Administration:
- Maintain an updated database of pumpout customers, vessel details, and service records.
- Keep daily logs of pumpout operations and send confirmation emails to customers.
Organizational:
- Assist with research and other projects as needed.
- Develop familiarity with our Casco Baykeeping, Science, and Community Engagement programs.
- Function as liaison between marina operators, Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s pumpout and clean marina program, and pumpout specialists.
Skills and requirements:
- Experienced boat handler with a Coast Guard license (e.g., launch operator, six-pack, or ocean operator).
- Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs
- Must be able to assist with boat maintenance, hauling, and launching.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with VHF radio protocol and chart plotter operations.
- Comfortable using Windows-based computers, iPhones, and scheduling software.
- Strong communication skills, including writing professional emails.
- Reliable, diplomatic, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Fully vaccinated for Hepatitis A and COVID-19 before the start date.
Salary: $30 an hour
Hiring process:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those received by April 10, 2025. The anticipated start date is May 2025. Finalists must provide three references and demonstrate boating skills during the interview process.
Interested applicants should email a letter of interest and a resume to:
Pumpout Search Committee
Friends of Casco Bay
searchcommittee@cascobay.org
Please direct inquiries via email; no phone calls, please.
