As a member of the River Base leadership team, you will provide excellent support for students and instructors over the course of a 9-month operating season. Supervise NOLS faculty and in-town staff in River Base operations towards exceptional student experiences. Orchestrate smooth field, logistical, and facility operations to promote student and staff excellence. Collaborate with NOLS Rocky Mountain to support all semester students operating in Utah. Contribute to an environment that encourages all staff and students to feel relaxed, supported, and focused going into the field.

Key Information

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

• NOLS whitewater instructor and/or experience and knowledge of the River Base’s operating areas is desirable, but not required.

• Target Start Date: 09 March 2026

• Location: River Base Vernal, UT

• Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

• Additional Information: On-campus housing is available for a small fee monthly 

Questions? Feel free to contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does an Operations Manager do?

• Lead NOLS River Base operations and contribute to leadership team decision-making and base culture. 

• Orchestrate and supervise all operational activities – gear, operation assistance, vehicle preparation, course drives, and facilities.

• Facilitate growth-oriented training and supervision for in-town staff.

• Directly supervise three to five operations staff. 

• Actively guide and mentor staff in their professional development at NOLS.

• Assist with growth-oriented field course briefing and debriefing as needed.

• Share evacuation coordinator duties by carrying a 24-hour emergency phone during the operating season.

• Assist in the management of field evacuations and in-town incidents as needed.

• Assist in the river permit use and acquisition processes.

• Assume or assist with other projects supervised by the Campus Director.

In your first 2 months, you will: 

• Shadow staff in gear, operations, vehicles, and facilities to understand processes and current challenges.

• Review and learn the emergency response protocols and evacuation procedures.

• Begin overseeing course drive schedules, gear flow, and vehicle prep with guidance from the Campus Director.

• Observe and support staff in daily operations to build trust and assess strengths and growth areas.

• Conduct initial one-on-one meetings with direct reports to set expectations, clarify roles, and discuss professional development goals.

What makes a great Operations Manager at NOLS? 

We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. While our ideal candidate comes with the skills listed below, we expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• An understanding of NOLS’ philosophy, mission, and values is essential, as is a belief in the power of a NOLS student experience. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, supervisory, facilitation, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Previous supervisory experience and a strong work ethic are required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, self-motivation, problem-solving and team-building skills, and dedication are required. 

• Able to work independently and lead during busy or stressful times. 

• Must have an interest in working both collaboratively and autonomously. 

• NOLS whitewater instructor and/or experience and knowledge of the River Base’s operating areas is desirable, but not required. 

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 for 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.