Are you a dynamic individual who enjoys all things finance? Do you want to be part of a fun team who supports the business administration side for our custom client programs? If so this might be the role for you. We’re looking for an innovative, curious, analytical, and autonomous person who’s excited to dig into details while also helping the team think strategically. 

As the Finance Specialist, you will manage the accounting systems for the Custom Education department at NOLS; supporting the team by processing transactions, running analytics, providing reports on the financial viability of our programs, and helping drive the annual budget building process. This position sits on the Custom Education leadership team, and reports directly to the Custom Education director.

What does the Finance Specialist do?

• Oversee all accounting functions within the Custom Education team, working closely with the NOLS Finance department to ensure accurate and timely account processing

• Prepare and process course, student and client invoices and payments, utilizing NOLS financial systems, and managing payments via credit cards, electronic transfers, checks, and government payment sources

• Maintain the integrity of financial entries in the NOLS Custom Education databases, ensuring accurate data entry and historical records through proper auditing procedures

• Support the creation of monthly and end-of-year financial reports and provide analysis to guide decision-making within the team

• Revise forms, review and initiate accounting systems and internal controls, document policy and procedures for all aspects of NOLS Custom Education finances.

• Work with the Custom Education Director, IT, and external support teams to update and maintain financial systems, ensuring internal controls and reporting accuracy

• Play a key role in shaping our annual budget

• Occasional weekend and/or after-hours work will be required. This role is part of our on-call rotation schedule to support students and clients in the field

The above duties should not be considered an exhaustive list; other responsibilities may be required.

What makes a great Finance Specialist at NOLS Custom Education? 

We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. 

• 2+ years of accounting or finance experience; preferably with financial data analysis 

• Project management experience with ability to manage and organize multiple projects with high attention to detail

• Ability to balance collaboration with independence, seeking feedback and maintaining high ownership of tasks

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences, including current clients and the NOLS executive team

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based applications, with experience in databases and financial softwares

• Passion for NOLS' mission and values

In your first 6 months, you will: 

• Collaborate on monthly financial reporting and review

• Manage department’s forecast vs. actual course database

• Create invoices for clients and respond to inquiries 

• Contribute to the annual budget building process

• Participate in weekly team and manager team meetings

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?

• 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 packages. 

• 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.

Additional Information

In order to be considered for this role you must upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document, when prompted to upload your CV/resume.

For qualified NOLS instructors this role may allow for teaching of up to 13 days per year. 

NOLS currently can support remote employees with legal working rights in the following locations: Canada, provinces: British Columbia, and Ontario; Chile; India; Mexico; New Zealand; the US, states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Please upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document, when prompted to upload your CV/resume.

• 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, 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.

How to Apply

It’s super easy! Just enter your email and click the “start your application” button at the top of the screen. 

Please upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document, when 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.