Kitchen Assistants at NOLS Alaska assist in the preparation and serving of delicious and nutritious meals to students, faculty, and staff. This position presents the opportunity to work as a team, create meals catered to a large diversity of student needs, and explore using local Alaskan ingredients!

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-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 Kitchen Assistant do?

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

• Working in a team to assist with the preparation and serving of nutritious meals for 20-150 people.

• Maintain a high standard of sanitation and organization in the kitchen.

• Maintain an organized and efficient system of waste disposal: recycling, composting, and fluid waste.

• Ensure proper handling of food to avoid cross contamination of allergens.

• Prepare “road meals” to be eaten by courses traveling to and from the field.

• Provide timely and growth-oriented feedback to supervisor and co-workers.

What makes a great Kitchen Assistant at NOLS?

For this position, we are seeking a person who is passionate about working as a team, adapting to challenges, and most importantly, healthy food!

• Enthusiastic to learn about cooking and food production

• Ability to be self-directed, take initiative, and make decisions independently

• Able to lift and carry 50+ lbs (items such as bags of flour, full pots, and boxes of produce)

• Able to follow instructions and work as park of a team

• Willing to accommodate flexible work hours/schedules including holidays/weekends

• 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.