Field Programs Coordinator

Summary of Position

This position coordinates educational programs in the field in the North Cascades bioregion and occasionally at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC). The Field Programs Coordinator provides leadership for Institute programs, oversees contract instructors, and offers instructional support as necessary. The Coordinator is part of the Field Programs department, and specifically works to support: ELC Seminars, Field Courses, and Virtual Courses.

Since 1986, North Cascades Institute has been providing hands-on learning adventures for adult learners. Classes and field excursions explore a wide variety of topics including wildlife biology, art, geology, poetry, botany, photography, forest ecology and recreational activities. These programs range in length from 75-minute virtual classes to multi-day excursions.

The work location for the Field Programs Coordinator is the Sedro-Woolley office. A number of Field Courses take place in locations around the North Cascades Bioregion, from the Methow Valley, through the heart of the North Cascades, all the way to Whidbey Island and the Salish Sea.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Professional experience with program coordination
• Experience with outdoor or backcountry program facilitation
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to communicate kindly, clearly, and productively through email, in person, and over the phone
• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule including evenings, nights, and weekends
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or ability to become certified before starting the position

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working at outdoor learning centers, public lands, camps, schools or similar facilities
• Experience working with contracted instructors/vendors
• Experience with Adult Education
• Experience in a program that uses volunteers to accomplish goals
• Experience using G Suite, Salesforce, Square, and Zoom
• Washington Food Handlers Card

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and driving record check must have no more than one moving violation in the past three years, no DUI, reckless driving, or serious moving violations, etc.
• Final offers of employment are 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

Responsibilities

Administration for Field Programs (60%)

• Coordinate ELC Seminars, Field Courses, and Virtual Courses including:
  • Communication with contract instructors
  • Program administration in Salesforce, Google Calendar, etc.
  • Managing reservations, permit tracking and compliance
  • Preparing educational resources
• Generate risk management plans for all ELC Seminars and Field Courses
• Steward relationships with 75+ contract instructors
• Collaborate with the Field Programs Manager annually to generate the slate of course offerings using participant feedback, enrollment data, and budget targets
• With the Field Programs Manager, develop new courses that meet demand and serve the mission of NCI
• Update Standard Operating Procedures and supporting documents for ELC Seminars, Field Courses, and Virtual Courses
• Collaborate with other Program Coordinators, Specialists, and Managers
• Collaborate with registration staff to communicate with program participants before and after each program
• Support marketing and registration activities that promote enrollment

Program Facilitation, Support, and Logistics (20%)

• Host ELC Seminars and Field Courses including delivering orientations, facilitating discrete educational components, managing risk in remote environments, executing logistics, addressing participant concerns, and delivering a conclusion or reflection.
• Host Virtual Courses including managing Zoom technology, introducing the speaker, managing the chat, and facilitating question and answer.
• Serve as instructor for ELC Seminars, Field Courses, Virtual Courses when needed
• Conduct performance assessments of Contract Instructors
• Maintain and manage inventory of program educational materials and field gear
• Drive Institute vehicles with program participants, including vans and 14-passenger busses
• Provide leadership in risk management before, during and after programs
• Take program photography

Support of Marketing and Outreach Tasks (15%)

• Collaborate with the Development & Engagement team on various projects
• Collaborate with the Outreach & Events Coordinator to support outreach activities

General (5%)

• Provide occasional assistance in other Learning Center program areas as needed including, but not limited to: Mountain School, Family Getaways, and Conferences & Retreats
• Provide occasional assistance with delivery of onboarding training for program staff, including program instructors
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position subject to a winter furlough (unpaid) of 2-4 weeks. The wage is $24.12 per hour. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs. Rental housing may be available.

Start Date

March 2, 2026; or as soon as possible after that date

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.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 21 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.