Equipment assistants at NOLS Alaska help to facilitate the maintenance, delivery, use, return, and repair of outdoor equipment for field expedition courses. Assistants get the opportunity to provide customer service to our students through explanation and demonstration of proper use/care of equipment. Behind the scenes, equipment assistants help maintain the facility, make repairs, inventory equipment, and process card/cash transactions.

Key Logistical Points:

• Be 21 years of age - NOLS Insurance requires drivers to be at least 21 years old

• Location: NOLS Alaska (Palmer, Alaska)

• Reports to: Equipment Manager

• Position type: Seasonal (April-September 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 an Equipment Assistant do?

This role works under the supervision of the Equipment Manager. It includes the following activities:

• Arrive to work promptly and with a clean, neat appearance.

• Check, clean, repair, and maintain equipment for hiking, mountaineering, and sea kayaking courses.

• Routinely clean and maintain the equipment area to high professional standards.

• Assist in the issue and de-issue of equipment to students and faculty.

• Provide assistance to faculty during the issue and de-issue processes.

• Provide instruction and training in equipment repair and maintenance for students and faculty.

• Perform sales transactions.

• Assist in early season order processing and end of season inventory.

What makes a great Equipment Assistant?

For this position, we are seeking a person who enjoys detail oriented behind the scenes work, working collaboratively, and provides excellent customer service:

• Enthusiastic about working as a team to complete small and large projects within the issue room.

• Ability to respond empathetically to the requests of students, faculty, and staff.

• Actively contribute to a positive and healthy community living environment while striving to maintain balance between work and life.

• Able to adapt quickly to a fast pace and ever changing schedule of course issue/deissues.

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

  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. and Canada, 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.