Assistant Stewards – Shipboard (Summer 2026)

Assistant Stewards – Shipboard (Summer 2026)

2026 Shipboard Assistant Steward (Cook) POSITIONS   

JOB DESCRIPTION 

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Serves as Assistant Steward of vessel, taking direction from the Steward and also reporting to the Captain while following guidelines in SEA’s “Steward Manual”.  The Assistant Steward will spend the majority of their time cooking for the ship’s students and crew but is also responsible to assist with provisioning, cleaning, and teaching.  Maintains a professional student/teacher relationship which fosters the education program and community on board.  Serves aboard assigned SEA vessel for contract term, scheduled under the direction of the Director of Marine Operations. Contracts typically start one week before students arrive and end one week after students depart, contracts may include consecutive student programs. 

MAJOR TASKS 

Safety 

  1. Instructs students and those working in the galley about the location of safety equipment in the immediate area, i.e. fire extinguishers, electrical switches and hatches. 
  2. Monitors all ship galley practices to ensure that they are carried out in a safe and sanitary manner.

Operations 

  1. Assists the Steward in ensuring breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for entire ship’s complement as well as three snacks/day. 
  2. Involves all students equally in day-to-day galley operations. 
  3. Assigns students increasing responsibility in day-to-day galley operations. 
  4. Encourages festive events to mark holidays, birthdays or other special times. 
  5. May host one or more buffet style dinners for SEA promotional events. 
  6. Updates food/supplies inventory upon arrival in port. 
  7. Provides information and support to relieving stewards to ensure a  smooth turnover.

Condition and Operational Readiness 

  1. Assists the Steward to provision the ship with sufficient food for intended voyage. 
  2. Stocks the ship’s inventory of supplies for cleaning and day-to-day living sufficient for the intended voyage. 
  3. Ensures that ship is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. 

Emergency Duties 

  1. Directs students and personnel on board and completes tasks as listed  on Station Bill

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

The Assistant Steward’s position in particular requires the ability to work for extended periods in a small confined space (the ship’s galley) on a platform (the ship) which is always in motion. 

The position also requires the ability to maintain vessel safety while executing the details of directing and teaching the students. 

A satisfactory pre-employment drug test, extensive health history and pre-employment physical are required for all crew positions.  

• Demonstrated ability to provide varied and nutritional meals for a large group of people. Including for a variety of dietary needs 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a professional and effective manner with male and female students in a hierarchical educational environment.  

• Demonstrated teaching ability. 

• Servsafe Certificate 

• Ordinary Seaman’s Document preferred, AB Sail preferred. 

• High School diploma or GED required, BA or BS preferred. 

• Interest in SEA’s mission. 

Possible Employment Dates: 15 May – 16 Aug, 14 Aug – 8 Oct, 10 Nov – 29 Dec 

Base Pay: $2100/month

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to crewemployment@sea.edu .