Help shape the standards behind safer
boating
Our client is seeking an organized,
knowledgeable, and collaborative Standards Development Associate to support the
development and ongoing review of the safety standards used throughout the
recreational marine industry.
Our client is a nonprofit membership organization and the essential source of
technical information for the international marine industry. Its voluntary
standards help guide the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of
recreational boats—and approximately 90% of boats on the water are built to the standards. They are developed through a consensus-based process
involving more than 400 marine professionals serving on 16 Project Technical
Committees.
This position plays an important role in keeping that process organized,
productive, and moving forward. You will work alongside the standards team,
committee members, and marine-industry experts to coordinate meetings, prepare
technical materials, track proposed changes, and help translate complex
discussions into clear, accurate documentation.
This is a strong opportunity for someone who understands boats and marine
systems but may be ready to move beyond a traditional service, manufacturing,
or field-based role. You do not need to arrive as a standards expert—but you
must bring marine knowledge, curiosity, strong organizational skills, and the
ability to learn.
Requirements
What you’ll do
- Support the Project Technical
Committees and subcommittees throughout the standards-development and
review process.
- Coordinate committee meetings,
including scheduling, invitations, agendas, supporting documents,
presentations, and follow-up materials.
- Review meeting packets and
technical documents to ensure materials are complete, accurate, and ready
for committee consideration.
- Participate in virtual and
in-person committee meetings, capture key decisions, and maintain clear
records of proposed revisions and next steps.
- Edit standards documents during
meetings and incorporate approved changes accurately.
- Communicate with committee
members, marine professionals, regulators, and other industry
stakeholders.
- Respond to questions about the Standards and connect callers with the appropriate technical resources
when needed.
- Support webinars, presentations,
email communications, and other standards-related programs.
- Assist with events and
committee activities
- Maintain organized records within the association-management and internal standards-development systems.
- Collaborate closely with the
standards team and contribute wherever needed in a small, mission-focused
organization.
A typical day may include
- Reviewing messages from committee
members, subcommittees, and industry stakeholders.
- Preparing documents and
presentations for an upcoming committee meeting.
- Participating in a virtual
meeting and updating standards language as the group works through
proposed changes.
- Answering questions from members
or marine professionals seeking guidance on a standard.
- Scheduling a webinar,
coordinating meeting logistics, or following up on committee action items.
- Working with colleagues to keep
several standards and committee timelines moving at once.
What you’ll bring
- Practical knowledge of boats,
marine systems, boatbuilding, service, repair, surveying, or another area
of the recreational marine industry.
- A strong ability and willingness
to learn new technical information.
- Confidence working with groups of
professionals who may bring different—and sometimes strongly
held—perspectives.
- Excellent organizational skills
and the ability to coordinate multiple meetings, documents, deadlines, and
priorities.
- Clear written and verbal
communication skills.
- Comfort facilitating discussions,
presenting information, and speaking in front of groups.
- Strong attention to detail,
particularly when reviewing and editing technical documents.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word,
Excel, and PowerPoint, along with Adobe applications and virtual meeting
platforms.
- Comfort learning
association-management and proprietary software.
- The ability to work both
independently and collaboratively.
- A genuine interest in making boating safer.
Especially valuable
- An ABYC certification or
familiarity with ABYC Standards.
- Previous experience working with
a professional association, membership organization, technical committee,
or standards-development organization.
- Experience coordinating
committees, boards, working groups, or consensus-based projects.
- Familiarity with marine-industry
events, education, certification, or regulatory organizations.
- A bachelor’s degree or an
equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Work environment and travel
The Standards Development Associate will initially work from the headquarters in Annapolis to learn the organization, systems, standards
process, and team. A hybrid arrangement may be considered after the employee is
fully established in the role.
Most committee meetings are conducted virtually, generally on a monthly
schedule. The position also supports several key events throughout the year,
including an in-person Standards Week featuring multiple committee meetings.
Some travel will be required.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits
- An annual salary of
$55,000–$65,000, based on experience
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Potential year-end bonus based on
organizational performance; bonuses are not guaranteed
- Professional development and the
opportunity to build relationships across the recreational marine industry