Program Support Specialist

Summary of Position

North Cascades Institute seeks an enthusiastic customer service-minded individual to serve as the principal on-site contact and host for Conference & Retreat program at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center located in North Cascades National park and join the hosting team for Base Camp and Family Getaway programs.

Supervised by the Adult & Family Programs Manager, this position works closely with the Group Programs Specialist to provide a seamless wrap-around customer service experience to Conference & Retreat clients. They will also work with the full Learning Center team to support all programs.

The North Cascades Institute operates the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in the heart of the North Cascades National Park. A diverse range of programs provide intergenerational environmental education to young people, adults, and families. The Program Support Specialist is based at the ELC, living and working in a remote setting with many of their colleagues.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills with strong attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be friendly and welcoming to customers and ELC visitors
• Ability to be an active and supportive team member
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule including evenings, nights, and weekends
• Ability to live and work in a small, remote, 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

• Experience with customer service
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Familiar with G-Suite apps, MS Office programs
• Wilderness First Aid certification (or higher) valid through term of employment
• Experience working at overnight learning centers, camps, schools or similar facilities

Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Group Hosting

• Serve as site host for Conference & Retreat (CR) events; Base Camp; and other Adult & Family Programs
• Work with the facilities team, kitchen team, and program team to ensure programs achieve the goals of the Institute
• Assist all ELC programs with program logistics, provide mealtime support, maintain and manage program inventory, and address other support needs

Customer Service

• Accept handoff of pre-trip communications from the Group Programs Specialist for CR events
• Ensure that guests feel welcomed and have a positive experience
• Respond to any guests who have a poor experience to rectify the situation
• Support coffee service for CR and other programs, when requested
• Set-up A/V equipment, offer support to groups in use of same

Program Support

• Share NCI’s mission with guests
• Provide orientation for guests as they arrive
• Fill various support roles, as needed, for MS, CR, and other Adult & Family events

Miscellaneous

• Ability to contribute to a welcoming, supportive, and positive workplace culture
• At times, may be asked to serve as Daytime Incident Commander on a rotating basis:
  • Only if certified as WFA or higher
  • Operate as the first contact point for participants and staff when reporting a situation that requires staff attention or intervention.
  • Operate as initial leader of any response in accordance with risk management policies.
  • Communicate as appropriate with Learning Center leadership.
  • You will receive specific training in the responsibilities of this role
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation

This is a seasonal/temporary, non-exempt, full-time position. The pay rate is $18.25 per hour.

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751. All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits

Seasonal Benefits include:

• Paid Sick Leave – 8 hours per month (prorated for employees working less than 40 hours per week)
• Paid Vacation – accrued at the rate of .01925 per hour
• Holiday Pay – 3 holidays between May 5 – August 31, 2025
• $100 per month health care stipend to be paid in the first pay period following completion of a 21-day probationary period
• Option to defer compensation as a pre-tax deferral in our retirement plan
• Ability to participate in Institute pro deals

Employees are responsible for their own health insurance.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to:

• Work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions in the Pacific Northwest climate
• Sit, talk, and hear, use hands and fingers to operate office equipment; reach with hands and arms
• Travel over uneven terrain to lead or meet with participants and staff in and around the Learning Center campus
• Occasionally bend, lift, and/or move up to 40 pounds is required. Accommodations can be requested, as needed

Housing

Good quality housing is available through the Institute at $382/month including utilities, considerably below market rates. Private rooms in shared houses are typically available, but not guaranteed. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required; at $191/month.

Smoking is not allowed in housing, during programs, or on the Institute’s campus. Pets are not allowed on the Institute’s campus.

Due to the remote nature of the location, personal transportation is required.

Start Date

May 5, 2025

Job Duration

May 5 – August 31, 2025

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. Learn more at www.ncascades.org.