A NOLS Program Supervisor helps ensure students and staff have a strong and positive field experience. The main focus of this role is supporting high-quality wilderness courses centered on safety, learning, and personal growth. You’ll work closely with field instructors—mentoring, coaching, and giving feedback through teambuilds, briefings, debriefings, and evaluations that support staff development and career growth at NOLS.

Program Supervisors maintain program quality and drive improvement in course routes, curriculum, and risk management. You’ll promote the NOLS Field Curriculum and serve as the connection between field staff and NOLS leadership.

Key Information:

• This is an internal position only

• Upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document when you are prompted to upload your CV/resume.

• Location: NOLS Alaska campus in Palmer, Alaska

• Contract Type: Seasonal (May- August 2026)

• Application Deadline: November 19th, 2025

• Start Date: April 28th, 2026 

Perks & Benefits:

• On-site housing is available for a modest fee, which includes internet, food staples, lunch, and dinner when the kitchen is open, and access to a shared staff car. Living areas are communal, and everyone pitches in with daily chores.

• Travel allowance: NOLS helps cover travel costs to and from Palmer, AK, at the beginning and end of the season (only for NOLS Instructors).

Questions? Feel free to contact us at peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Program Supervisor do?

Your work combines mentorship, operations, and leadership to help create meaningful experiences for students and staff.

Supervising Program and Field Staff

• Support NOLS expedition courses by using your experience in hiking, sea kayaking, and mountaineering to guide staff and uphold program quality.

• Lead thoughtful briefings and debriefings that help instructors prepare, reflect, and grow.

• Complete timely staff evaluations, providing clear and supportive feedback that promotes professional development.

• Mentor instructors on career progression, connecting them with relevant training and opportunities.

• Foster open, compassionate communication with staff, students, and families—especially in complex or stressful situations.

• Provide mental health support and contribute to a culture of care and well-being on campus and in the field.

• Act as a liaison between field instructors and NOLS leadership, ensuring strong communication and shared purpose.

• Drive courses to and from the field, campus, and airport using vans with trailers; must maintain a valid license and a clean driving record.

• Manage field equipment (including sea kayaks and mountaineering gear) to keep it safe, functional, and ready for use.

• Support new in-town staff in learning NOLS’ mission, values, and culture.

• Model environmental stewardship and help lead sustainability efforts across campus operations.

• Serve as an Evacuation Coordinator when needed, ensuring preparedness and effective response to incidents.

Curriculum and Operational Support

• Support evacuees while they are in town, helping them feel safe and cared for.

• Collaborate with other program supervisors to share ideas and improve systems across NOLS.

• Stay current on outdoor education practices and techniques to keep NOLS at the forefront of the field.

• Partner with departments like Education, Risk Management, and Admissions to continually enhance student and staff experiences.

• Model and teach NOLS’ risk management and leadership curriculum on campus and in the field.

• Support course logistics—such as transportation, gear, and meals—to help deliver smooth, high-quality operations.

• Manage data and reporting for camping permits and land management agencies, maintaining compliance and strong relationships with partners.

Other

• Assist administration with operating plans, new course proposals, staffing configurations, and operational logistics.

• Other duties and projects as assigned by the NOLS Alaska program manager.

• May be required to act as a field instructor in the case of injury/illness and possible unavailability of field staff. Must maintain active NOLS instructor status.

• Responsible for cash accounting for private services, course logistics, and emergency money.

What makes a great Program Supervisor at NOLS? 

We’re looking for people who share NOLS’ values and are excited to keep learning and growing in outdoor education. Great Program Supervisors combine field experience, strong people skills, and a commitment to education, inclusion, and leadership.

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant experience: Experience as a senior NOLS instructor (course leader level) or in a similar supervisory role is preferred.

• Connection to our mission: A clear understanding of and enthusiasm for NOLS’ mission, values, and educational goals.

• Strong communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English to connect effectively with students, staff, and partners.

• Problem-solving and facilitation: The ability to think creatively, build effective teams, and facilitate group learning and collaboration.

• Adaptability: Comfort working independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, changing environment.

• Flexibility: Willingness to work a variable schedule—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—to support field programs, sometimes overseeing multiple courses simultaneously. The position averages 40 hours per week with two scheduled days off. Consecutive days off may be limited during peak season to maintain consistent program support.

We believe that great supervisors come from many backgrounds. We’re committed to supporting training and professional development so each person can succeed and contribute fully to the NOLS community.

How to Apply

Upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document when you are prompted to upload your CV/resume.

At NOLS we use the Applied platform for our recruitment. The Applied platform will ask you some demographic questions before you start your application. We at NOLS never see the responses to these demographic questions with your application. We only see summary statistics to help us check if our candidate pool is balanced and if everyone has an equal chance to get hired irrespective of their background. If you prefer, you can easily opt out of answering these questions.

Who is NOLS?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that strives to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment. Our community—staff, students, trustees, and alumni—shares a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and excellence. 

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.

Why is NOLS a great place to work?

• Global Reach: With locations across the U.S. operations in six countries, and courses running in all 50 states and more than 10 countries, you’ll be part of an organization with a truly worldwide impact.

• Course Discounts: Receive special pricing on NOLS courses for yourself and your family.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Flexible Time Off: We offer a flexible time off policy that empowers employees to take the time they need for rest, adventure, and personal priorities without the constraints of traditional accrual systems.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access confidential, 24/7 counseling and support services to help you maintain balance and well-being.

Additional Information

To support pay transparency and equity, the posted salary range is fixed. We encourage you to explore our opportunities that fit your pay expectations. 

• 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 People Team 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.

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 by emailing peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.