Alaska Rations Assistants operate in the rations (field food) department. The Rations Assistant packs nutritious food for Alaska field courses and aims to promote a friendly, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students, field faculty, staff, and community members.

Key Logistical Points:

• Be 21 years of age - NOLS Insurance requires drivers to be at least 21 years old

• Location: NOLS Alaska (Palmer, Alaska)

• Position type: Seasonal (April/May-August 2025)

• Start date: Mid/Late - April 2025

• Benefits: Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available at a special NOLS rate to seasonal employees.

• Questions: Please contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Ration Assistant do?

This role works under the supervision of the Rations Manager and Assistant Manager. It includes the following activities:

• Pack food for faculty and students on Alaska Field expeditions

• Perform repetitive and detail oriented prep tasks

• Accurately bag and divide course rations and re-rations

• Receive and put away food orders

• Facilitate rationing sessions with students and instructors

• Maintain a clean and orderly rations facility

• Assist students and instructors in the de-issuing process

• Facilitate rations meetings with instructor teams

What makes a great Ration Assistant at NOLS?

For this position, we are seeking a person who is detail oriented and works to create an inclusive learning environment for students and faculty.

• Desire to learn about bulk field rations, cooking, and field nutrition

• Adapts quickly to changes and issues

• Enjoys detail oriented work and strives for excellence

• Ability to work self-directed, efficient, and make decisions independently

• Able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays

• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds. Examples include but are not limited to, bags of flour, boxes and duffle bags of food, full coolers, and shelving units

• Desire to interact with NOLS students, faculty, and in-town staff

• Eager to live and work in a small community that shares responsibility for maintaining common areas

Who are we and what can we offer you?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help people step forward boldly as a leader.

We believe that anyone can be a leader; it is our role to provide the environment and training to help people discover their full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and in remote wilderness areas around the world. We are an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences.

NOLS really is a great place to work:

• We have locations in seven U.S. states, and six countries; and courses in all 50 U.S. states and over 10 countries

• We have fantastic employee discounts on top outdoor gear brands

• We offer discounts on NOLS Courses for you and your family

• All employees can benefit of free Outdoor Equipment "Rental" at our various locations

• Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available at a special NOLS rate to seasonal employees. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits package

• Wellness Time: Accrued leave that may be used for many HR-approved reasons throughout the season

• Employee Assistance Program: Access to counselors that are available 24/7 to assist employees with work-life balance concerns

Next steps

All you need to do is start the process by clicking on the yellow button on the top right.

You’ll answer some questions that are related to your day-to-day job. After the job closes, your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymized, randomized and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which includes an interview. 

Additional Information

NOLS can currently employ remote employees who have legal working rights in the United States, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, and India. In the U.S. we can support remote employees in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

• A criminal background check is required from all NOLS employees.

• NOLS participates in E-verify for U.S. employees, Certificado de Antecedentes for Chilean or Mexican employees, and other relevant employment verification systems based on location.

• Current NOLS employees please note it is NOLS policy to conduct an internal reference check with human resources and/or your current supervisor as part of the reference check process. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact peopleteam@nols.edu.

NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or status as a protected veteran. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

NOLS values community and fosters a sense of belonging for our employees and applicants. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace because they embody these values, as well as our operating principle of promoting a positive, safe, and learning environment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested for disability; limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; religion; and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested at any point of the employment process, including during recruitment. Please email peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.

The Alaska Rations Assistant Manager works with the Rations Manager to facilitate rationing of over 700 students and instructors. This role also includes using programs to create ration plans, executing ration sessions with students, and maintaining a high level of organization in order to safely provide nutritious rations to students who may have a variety of dietary restrictions.