As a NOLS Rocky Mountain Program Supervisor, you will work as part of the Rocky Mountain program team to supervise field faculty, ensure program quality, and promote high-quality educational experiences for all Lander-based field courses. You will provide instructor teams with curriculum, route, and risk management support. You will facilitate conversations within instructor teams to support success in team function. You will give feedback, evaluate performance, and mentor career development for field staff. You will support other departments.

Key Logistical Points:

• Location: NOLS Rocky Mountain campus in Lander, WY

• Must maintain active field faculty status as a NOLS Hiking Instructor ,“Course Leader” is preferred. 

• Position type: ¾ full-time

• Start date: Jan or Feb 2025 (Flexible)

• Benefits: This position is eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending account, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time off, 403(b), 403(b) contribution, and more.

• Questions: Please contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Program Supervisor do?

• Support field faculty in delivering exceptional student experiences by providing growth-oriented briefings, curriculum resources, debriefings, and evaluations. 

• Help instructors start their process of working together through facilitating high-quality teambuilds. 

• Contribute to an environment that encourages instructors and students to feel relaxed, supported, and focused going into the field.

• Promote field and in-town risk management

• Assist in the management of challenging and complex field and in-town situations pertaining to student, parent, and staff issues or concerns as needed.

• Act as a vital link in communicating NOLS Accepted Field Practices. 

• Apply the NOLS Field Instructor Skills in evaluating instructor performance and making recommendations for instructors' work level. Actively guide and mentor field staff in their professional development at NOLS. 

• Review and organize all course-related paperwork. Write timely and thorough faculty evaluations. Advocate for field staff and be clear and thorough when making promotion or demotion recommendations. 

• Participate in coordinating in-town logistics and schedules with all departments at NOLS Rocky Mountain. 

• Educate instructors regarding schoolwide communications and initiatives.

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

• May be required to participate as an evacuation coordinator and support evacuees while they are in town.

• Network with other program supervisors to exchange ideas and offer support and leadership. Review school-wide practices to ensure consistency amongst NOLS programs.

• Work with the education, staffing, risk management, training, admissions, and other departments at the school to enhance service to students and staff.

What makes a great Program Supervisor at NOLS? 

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

• An understanding of and passion for the NOLS mission. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational, supervisory, facilitation, and problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment.

• Ability to work flexible and irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.

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.

Founded in 1965, NOLS Rocky Mountain (the “RM”) is located in Lander, WY on the ancestral lands of the Eastern Shoshoni, Northern Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Crow. The RM offers urban amenities paired with direct access to world class climbing in Sinks Canyon and Wild Iris, as well as wilderness travel and fishing in the Wind River, Absaroka, and Big Horn ranges. The RM is a central hub for many NOLS courses in the Rocky Mountain West, offering extended semesters and standalone expeditions that focus on many skill types such as backpacking, mountaineering, canyoneering, backcountry skiing, horsepacking, whitewater boating, and rock climbing. In addition to supporting Rocky Mountain students in the field year-round, the RM also provides operational support for four other locations: Teton Valley, Three Peaks Ranch, River Base, and East Africa. The core team at NOLS Rocky Mountain is deeply invested in student and instructor experiences and inspired by the power of transformative experiences at NOLS. 

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 from 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.

Additional Information

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the position start date and possess a valid driver’s license. Must have a clean driving history and be able to meet the criteria for NOLS vehicle insurance coverage.

• 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.