Program Coordinator – Mountain School

Summary

This position coordinates education programs at the Environmental Learning Center. Program Coordinators provide leadership for Institute programs, supervise Program Instructors at the Learning Center, and offer instructional support as necessary. This position will coordinate the logistics and delivery of the Mountain School program during the school year, and Family Getaways during the summer. They may also support other Learning Center programs from time to time. A successful candidate may hail from a variety of professional backgrounds but loves teaching, being outdoors, and is inspired to work with children,

Position Location and Description

The work location for the Environmental Program Instructor is at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) located in the heart of the North Cascades National Park on the shore of Diablo Lake. Mountain School takes place from February to the beginning of June. Family Getaways and other programs (see below) proceed from June to early September. Mountain School resumes in September and continues to mid-December.

Spring & Fall:

Mountain School

Mountain School is our principal school-based education program. It is a nationally recognized overnight outdoor school experience that annually serves approximately 3000 participants. Students spend three days and two nights at the ELC, hike under towering trees, explore terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and learn about the rich natural and cultural history of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Summer:

ELC-Based Programs

Family Getaways – Summer camp for families and friends. Staff host and teach a variety of engaging activities for all ages including, day hikes,nature based activities, natural history lessons, paddling on our big canoes, and campfire programs.

Conferences and Retreats – Staff support these activities by teaching short programs, leading canoe outings, and engaging with guests to help NCI reach a broader audience. Events range from medical training to scientific conferences to wedding weekends.

Base Camps – Educational weekend retreats for individuals, families, friends, or anyone who is looking to learn about and explore  the North Cascades. Staff host and teach short programs throughout the event.

Responsibilities

• Administration of Programs (50%):
  • Coordinate Mountain School and Family Getaways
  • Communicate with school staff in preparation for Mountain School
  • Facilitate Mountain School briefings, orientations, and debriefs
  • Facilitate Mountain School and Family Getaways staff training
  • Develop and manage weekly staff teaching schedule
  • Assist with hiring of Program Instructors
  • Maintain and manage inventory of program and educational materials
  • Collaborate with program leadership to conduct ongoing review of curriculum
  • Provide administrative and program support to program managers, as needed
• Field Supervision & Instruction (40%):
  • Supervise Environmental Learning Center program instruction staff
  • Manage curriculum and observations for Mountain School and Family Getaways
  • Conduct teaching observations of Program Instructors
  • Coordinate team meetings for Program Instructors
  • Serve as Instructor for Mountain School and Family Getaways, as needed
  • Assist and/or instruct in other Learning Center program areas as needed including, but not limited to: Conferences & Retreats, Adult Seminars, and Base Camp
• General (10%):
  • Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute and actively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone
  • Drive Institute vehicles with program participants, including vans
  • Serve as day-time incident commander
  • Provide leadership in risk management before, during, and after programs including prompt review and follow-up of incident reports
  • Support marketing and registration activities that promote enrollment
  • Attend and participate in staff and department meetings
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Experience working successfully in teams
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or higher
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to communicate kindly, clearly, and productively via email, in person, and over the phone
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to work and live in a small, rural community

Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search and a driving history check.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field
• Experience working or living in communities that are historically marginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education
• Experience working at residential learning centers, camps, schools, or similar facilities
• Previous supervisory experience
• Possession of current driver’s license; acceptable driving record for past 3 years
• Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference

Working Environment

• The location is remote, in the forested mountains of the North Cascades ecosystem, and is home to many forms of wildlife – animals and plants that require knowledgeable and responsible cautionary behavior. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow standard safety practices.
• Given the remote setting, reliable transportation is required.
• Weather can vary from hot and dry to cold, rainy, and snowy. Candidates must be able to use personal outdoor equipment to lead programs in all weather conditions.
• The position requires occasional travel by car to other worksites or meeting places.
• Working hours include evenings and weekends, and may occasionally include overtime.

Physical Demands

• Sit, stand, dance, talk, yell, sing, and hear, use hands and fingers to operate field equipment; reach with hands and arms.
• Job duties are often carried out while hiking over uneven terrain with participants.
• Candidates may be trained to use and lead canoe programs during summer programs.
• Candidates must be able to lift, load, pack, and carry teaching materials and field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position subject to a winter furlough (unpaid) of one month.

• The pay rate is $22.26 per hour
• Overtime pay is 1.5x base pay and will occasionally be required.
• Most weeks, coordinators will work 40 hours. Some weeks, especially around season transitions and school holidays, will have lighter hours.

Benefits include:

• Sick leave: accrued at the rate of .04615 per hour
• Vacation leave: 10 days estimated in first year, with increasing days in successive years
• Paid holidays: 12 days maximum per year
• Service days: 2 days per year
• $300 annual stipend to participate in Institute programs
• Ability to participate in Institute pro deals
• Medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, and tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan

There are also opportunities for occasional attendance/participation at conferences or other professional development opportunities.

Housing

Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses are typically available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.

Key Dates

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible

Anticipated Furlough: December 16, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.

About North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute’s mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place. 

Opened in 2005, the Learning Center is a collaboration between North Cascades Institute, the National Park Service, and Seattle City Light, The Learning Center is in the heart of some of North America’s most beautiful, wild landscapes and offers extraordinary opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature connection. This region has been inhabited by native tribes for over 9,000 years and native culture and society remain active and vibrant in their ancestral homelands here.