Sightsailing of Newport has operated sailing adventures in Newport, Rhode Island since 1990.  We operate three sailing vessels and typically employee 14 people in season.  Currently we operate Aquidneck, an 80 foot gaff rigged schooner, Sightsailer, a 46 foot sloop and Starlight, an O'Day 34.

Our sailing season starts in early May and runs through October. Aquidneck runs for the entire 6 month period while Sightsailer and Starlight run full time in July and August and on a reduced schedule in June and September.  We always need help in the boatyard in the spring and fall!

Our success has been the direct result of great individuals who work here now and those who have worked here in the past.  Our standards are high; we want organized, energetic,  trustworthy,  team players that will represent Sightsailing Inc. and themselves well.  Employees who are willing to "go out of their way" to meet or exceed expectations are ones we want to hire and have return year after year. Positive attitudes, good work ethics and friendly personalities are a must when working with the public and other employees.

Sightsailing is a seasonal business and the dates you are available to work are an important part of your application. If your Aunt Agnes is coming from Augusta in August, you can't  join her for a ten day vacation!  The majority of our business, and consequently our employee needs are greatest during the summer. A willingness to work holidays and weekends is required. You must be reliable and someone who is able to "jump in at the last minute" if necessary. If you are a student, you need to be able to commit to working until or through Labor Day.

We often have positions for crew, captains and guest services staff. Job descriptions, requirements and qualifications are listed below in their respective sections.

We invite you to consider the challenge of working in an outdoor environment as part of a team. Our positions require professionalism and commitment, yet offer fun and recreation, lifetime friendships, personal achievements and a valuable work experience.

Captains and crew must pass a Pre Employment drug test and participate in a USCG mandatory Random Drug Testing Program.

Job Description:

*Primary responsibilities include selling walk-up business, operating our computerized ticketing system, completing end of day financial reports, answering and selling tickets by phone and through the internet, operating our cash register and credit card machine, greeting and acknowledging customers, answering questions about our sailing cruises, providing directions, etc.

*Excellent in-person communication skills and the ability to sell walk by business is crucial. You will be the first person with whom our guests speak, and in many cases the deciding factor as to which outfitter the guests will choose so you should be alert, enthusiastic and outgoing. You can’t be shy about asking strangers who appear interested if they’d like to go for a sail. Nervous Nellies or Shrinking Violets need not apply.

*You should be able to work day, evening and weekend shifts.  You must be very reliable and able to get to work on time.  You should be a team player and willing to "pitch in" with other responsibilities including brochure delivery, running ocassional errands and other office tasks.

*This is a fun and often fast-paced job.  Guest services staff work in our open-air, dockside office with one of the best views in Newport and enjoy working in a  friendly, team environment.

Job Requirements:

* Candidates must be focused, bright, highly organized and detail oriented. You should be a quick learner, able to multitask, thrive in a fast-paced environment and be cool under pressure.  You need to be quick with figures and be able to "routinize" your behavior.

• Learn Sightsailing's computerized reservation software system and our sales methods.

• Operate cash register, make change, operate credit card terminal.

*Complete end of day bookkeeping/financial reports,  balance cash and credit card sales, record etc.

• Answer phones, describe trips, book reservations on computer.

• Know and be able to communicate the differences of Sightsailing's various vessels to prospective customers.

• Answer walk-up questions, give directions.

• Maintain awareness of all promotions, advertisements and boat schedules.

Job Qualifications:

Customer service, administrative or retail experience is required.  Point of sale experience helpful.  Boating knowledge and familiarity of Newport helpful but not necessary. 

• Must be reliable, punctual, professional and confident.

• Possess excellent oral & written communication skills.

• Must be comfortable using cash registers and computers.

• Basic math skills with ability to reconcile money, run Z reports and balance books.

• Must be able to problem solve and be a quick learner.

• Must be detail oriented.

• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment.

• Calm under pressure.

• Ability to retain friendly disposition. Must enjoy working with the public.

• Be able to work varied hours/days including nights, weekends and holidays as needed.

Compensation:

$10.50 hour plus commissions. Perks include a limited number of free passes to bring family and friends on selected cruises.  Work commitment incentive for qualified employees.

Job Description:

Captains and crew have the largest impact on our guests' experience. There is no better way to meet people. While this job is both fun and rewarding, it is also physically demanding…captains and crew must be in excellent physical condition.  You are hauling up sails, sailing the boat, handling dock lines, engaging guests in casual conversation and pointing out sights.  It's tough to soar with the eagles in the morning if you want to hoot with the owls at Cripple Creek every night, so if you're the type that wants to stay out as late as possible at night, this job is not for you!

We're looking for people who are outgoing, friendly, well-spoken and good sailors. It's important to realize that we're in the hospitality business as much as we are the sailing business so your appearance and attitude are important. Many of the people we take sailing have never been sailing before. It's your job to sail the boat and behave in such a way that they have a good time. We want them to come back next year, tell their friends or rave to the concierge at the hotel what a great time they had! The the more informed you keep yourself, the better. Lots of your time will often be talking with people about all sorts of things. Being able to talk with and give guests a positive experience is important.

For the right individuals, these jobs are a lot of fun. It can be hard work but you get paid to meet people and go sailing all day! Many of our crew have spent a season or two as crew and returned as captains.

  Job Requirements:

• Prepare Aquidneck or Sightsailer for sailing each day including cleaning/drying decks, maintaining a tidy cabin, stowing supplies,  prepare sailing gear etc.

• Ensure passengers safely embark and disembark vessel.

• Make introductions, safety & orientation speech.

• Handle boat hook and dock lines. 

• Take active role in sailing vessel including raising and flaking sails, trimming sails, taking helm, stowing gear etc.

• Interact with passengers, point out sights, engage in casual conversation.

• Serve drinks on sunset cruises.

• Track inventory of supplies and beverages.

• Assist in performing daily, weekly and monthly safety, & maintenance tasks.

*Crew must pass a Pre-Employment drug test and participate in USCG mandatory Random Drug Testing Program.

Job Qualifications:

• Should know and understand basics of sailing. Written and verbal quiz given.

• Willingness to get one's hands dirty, take iniative, jump willingly into cleaning tasks, take direction, demonstrate interest and desire to learn more.

• Strong enough to handle flaking/raising sails, handle docklines, lift coolers etc.

*Demonsrate awareness of surrondings with what is happening aboard boat and vessels nearby.

• Must be a team player with a good attitude and appearance.

*Must be able to follow dress code.

• Good communication skills and the ability to talk with guests.

Compensation:

• Crew are paid a flat day rate of $90 plus tips. Tips alone may range from $60-$100+/day.

Job Description:

You will be captaining sailing vessels which offer public day sails and a limited number of private and corporate charters.  It's important to understand that Sightsailing is in both the sailing and hospitality business so interacting with and making guests feel comoftable as well as operating the vessel in a confidence-inspiring manner is important.  If you are captaining Aquidneck or Sightsailer you will  be working with crew members so you need to have the leadership skills, willingness and ability to show new crew the ropes and turn your ship into a well oiled machine. 

We work hard.  Our boats typically  offer 4-5 trips a day so you can be spending close to 8 hours on the water.  Add in set up and breakdown time and at the height of the season it's a 10 hour day.  You need the energy and stamina for that.  Captains typically work a regular schedule, 3-5 days per week. 

Captains need to have excellent sailing skills and outstanding boat handling skills docking sailboats under power in tight quarters. Our boats are docked in a highly visible yet tight location surrounded by million dollar yachts and historic wooden boats. Aquidneck is 80 foot long with a beam of 17 feet and needs to be backed out of her slip which can sometimes be quite tight. Sightsailer and Starlight are easier to handle but your boat handling skills still need to be razor sharp! Unless you have spent a considerable amount of time practicing handling our boats and learning our program we don't use part time "fill-in" captains.

Captains are also responsible for performing daily, weekly and monthly maintenance checks as well as supervising and helping the crew in cleaning tasks. Prima Donna captains who aren't willing to get their hands dirty or always say, "That's the crew's job", should not apply. Knowledge of diesel engines and electrical systems is helpful.

For the right individuals captain jobs are a lot of fun. It can be hard work, however you get paid to meet people from all over the world, talk with them and take them sailing in one of the world's best sailing grounds.

Job Requirements:

The Captain is responsible at all times for the safety of the vessel and passengers.

Perform daily checks of mechanical propulsion machinery and navigational equipment.

Oversee the safe loading and disembarking of passengers.

Must be able to adhere to arrival and departure schedule.

Understand handling characteristics of vessel.

Conduct regular checks of mechanical equipment.

Oversee and perform daily setup/breakdown and cleaning tasks.

Responsible for new hire orientation and crew training.

Captain should be responsible for his crew's behavior, uniform and work ethic

in accordance with company policy.

Job Qualifications:

Captains must hold a minimum of a USCG OUPV license to sail Starlight and a Master's license with Aux Sail endorsement to operate Sightsailer and Aquidneck.

Must possess a FCC MROP license.

Must be able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

Must possess good interpersonal skills and a neat and clean appearance.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Compensation:

Captains are paid a flat day rate, different for each vessel plus tips.  On crewed vesels, tips are pooled equally with crew.  

Job Description:

Read Reservations/Front Desk Responsibilities at beginning of Jobs section. You should be able to perform and excel in all the responsibilities of the Reservations/Front Desk staff.

You are the glue that holds the company together.  You should  be a leader with excellent communication and sales skills.  You will work side by side and lead front desk staff in daily sales responsibilities and toward overall sales goals.  Must be comfortable with a computerized reservation system, cash registers, credit card terminals, daily cash closeout reconcilations and bookeeping.  Excellent attention to detail.

Capable of accurate record keeping, calling in payroll and creating monthly employee schedule to meet changing public demand. Must maintain a professional manner and work well under pressure. Ability to train and monitor new hires and delegate duties.  Monitor and inform other employees of non adherence to company rules and standards.

Contact and deliver literature to key contacts at inns and hotels.  Manage alcohol inventory, office supplies and place timely weekly orders.   Handle dock lines.

Job Qualifications:

Previous retail, hospitality or customer sevice expereince required. An understanding of sales and marketing helpful.   Comfortable with computers, p.o.s. systems, internet and MS Office.   Good analtyical and problem solving skills.  An outgoing, friendly personality and the ability to multitask are essential. Boating and local knowledge helpful.  Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays as needed. 

Compensation:

Weekly salary with incentives. Position is full time,  5 days/week May-October. Part time work February-April for qualified individuals.