Master / Mate – STS Leeuwin IILeeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation

Fremantle, Western Australia

Marine Operations | Youth Development | Sail Training

About the roleThe Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly professional Master / Mate to join the marine team aboard STS Leeuwin II.

This is a dual-capacity position, with the successful candidate appointed as either Master or Mate for individual voyages and operational periods according to qualifications, the approved roster and the needs of the Foundation.

STS Leeuwin II exists to deliver youth development through challenge, adventure and participation at sea. Our crew work directly alongside young people, volunteers, trainees and community members, often in demanding and unfamiliar environments. The way our officers lead, communicate, teach, mentor and build relationships is therefore just as important as their technical competence.

At Leeuwin, we develop people. We create an environment where trainees gain confidence, volunteers build capability, emerging leaders take responsibility, and people leave the ship stronger than when they came onboard. You will model professional conduct, sound judgement, accountability and respect, and help people safely challenge themselves, learn and contribute.

The opportunityAs Master, you will hold command of STS Leeuwin II and overall responsibility for the safe, compliant and effective operation of the vessel and the safety and wellbeing of everyone onboard.

As Mate, you will report to the appointed Master, undertake senior watchkeeping and operational responsibilities, supervise and develop crew and volunteers, and support the safe delivery of voyages and the youth development program.

Across both capacities, you will provide leadership and mentoring, contribute to continuity of command and develop the capability of officers, crew, volunteers, Watch Leaders and trainees. You must maintain clear maritime authority while remaining approachable, constructive and engaged.

Youth development and people leadership are central to this role

Leeuwin voyages develop young people through participation, responsibility, teamwork and challenge. The Master / Mate plays a critical part in making that possible.

You will work closely with young people, volunteers and trainees throughout voyages and operational activities and will be expected to:

- be a strong and consistent professional role model;
- demonstrate calm, respectful and accountable leadership;
- engage constructively with people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, experiences and abilities;
- help volunteers and trainees feel valued, included and appropriately challenged;
- encourage people to step up, take responsibility and develop their capability;
- support trainees to participate in sailing, seamanship, watches and shipboard life;
- explain, teach, coach and mentor rather than simply direct;
- build trust while maintaining transparent professional boundaries;
- foster a culture where people are comfortable asking questions, seeking help and raising concerns;
- support Watch Leaders, volunteers and emerging officers to develop confidence and leadership capability;
- establish clear expectations around behaviour, safety, teamwork and respect;
- work constructively with voyage and program personnel to support youth development outcomes;




- maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times; and
- ensure that operational pressure never compromises appropriate conduct, child safety or the wellbeing of those onboard.

We want someone who genuinely enjoys developing others and understands that command also means building relationships, earning trust and setting the standard for how people treat one another onboard. Key responsibilitiesDepending on your appointment as Master or Mate, responsibilities will include:
- commanding or supporting the command of STS Leeuwin II;
- ensuring compliance with applicable maritime legislation, Marine Orders, AMSA requirements, the NSCV and the vessel's operating limitations;
- implementing and continuously improving the vessel's Safety Management System;
- passage planning, navigation, watchkeeping and weather monitoring;
- maintaining vessel readiness, seaworthiness and appropriate crewing;
- supervising sailing, seamanship, climbing, mooring, anchoring, small-boat and shore-based operations;
- managing operational risks, emergency preparedness, fatigue and safety-critical activities;
- leading and developing crew, Watch Leaders, volunteers and trainees;
- delivering safety, seamanship and technical instruction;
- mentoring less-experienced crew, volunteers and emerging leaders;
- supporting planned maintenance, defect management and vessel preparation;
- maintaining accurate navigation, safety, operational and maintenance records;
- managing incidents, hazards and near misses appropriately;
- supporting effective communication between the vessel and shore-based team; and
- contributing to voyage planning, workforce planning, maintenance planning and continuous operational improvement.

Leadership and professional conductOur senior officers set the benchmark onboard. The successful candidate will:
- lead by example rather than by position alone;
- communicate clearly and respectfully under pressure;
- exercise authority confidently without creating an unnecessarily authoritarian environment;
- understand that effective leadership requires listening as well as directing;
- recognise that volunteers bring different experience, confidence and motivations, and lead them accordingly;
- maintain strong professional boundaries with young people;
- address poor behaviour or unsafe practices when they arise;
- give people opportunities to learn, contribute and take appropriate responsibility;
- encourage concerns to be raised and dealt with constructively;
- contribute to a culture of learning rather than blame;
- understand the difference between command accountability and collaborative leadership; and
- demonstrate conduct consistent with the Foundation's values of Safety, Integrity, Commitment and Initiative.

What we are looking for

You will bring substantial maritime experience and the judgement required aboard a complex sail training vessel, including:
- an appropriate Australian maritime qualification,



or equivalent qualification eligible for recognition by AMSA, enabling you to serve in the required Master and/or Mate capacity (Master <100m minimum);
- demonstrated command, senior deck officer or substantial watchkeeping experience;
- strong knowledge of commercial vessel operations, navigation, safety management and maritime compliance;
- demonstrated experience leading and developing crew;
- confidence working with volunteers, trainees and people with varying levels of experience;
- the ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in demanding operational situations;
- strong communication skills and the ability to adapt your leadership style to different people and situations;
- experience training, mentoring or supervising others;
- a genuine willingness to work closely with young people and volunteers;
- an interest in developing capability in others, not simply completing the operational task; and
- high personal standards of professional behaviour and accountability.

Experience in sail training, square-rigged vessels, youth development, outdoor education, training environments, mentoring or working with volunteers would be highly regarded.

Child safety The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This role involves substantial interaction with young people and is a position of significant responsibility and trust.

Appointment will be subject to the Foundation's recruitment and child-safety screening requirements, including relevant background checks and a valid Working with Children Check where required.

Successful applicants will be expected to understand and comply with the Foundation's Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Code of Conduct and professional-boundary requirements.

About STS Leeuwin II

STS Leeuwin II is Western Australia's sail training ship and the platform through which the Foundation delivers its youth development programs.

Life onboard is highly participative. Young people do not simply travel as passengers; they become part of the ship's community, participating in watches, sailing the vessel, climbing the rig, learning seamanship and working alongside crew and volunteers.

Volunteers are fundamental to Leeuwin's operation and culture. Many build capability, take greater responsibility and progress into leadership roles onboard.

This is an opportunity to combine senior vessel operations with something broader: using the environment and discipline of a working ship to develop confidence, responsibility, competence, teamwork and resilience.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted through SEEK. Please include your current resume and a cover letter outlining:

- your relevant maritime and command experience;
- the qualifications you currently hold;
- your experience leading, mentoring or developing others;
- your experience working with volunteers, trainees or young people; and
- why your leadership style and professional conduct suit a youth development and sail training environment.

We are looking for more than someone who can safely operate and command the ship. We are looking for a senior maritime professional who understands that the vessel, the program and the people are inseparable — and that developing others is fundamental to the role.

📌 Master / Mate (Fremantle)
🏢 Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
📍 Fremantle