The Rations Assistant Manager works on the Rocky Mountain Rations (field food) team to create a welcoming and supportive environment for NOLS students, staff, and the public. This assistant manager position serves as the lead in special dietary accommodations. The position contributes to all other aspects of Rocky Mountain rations including planning course food, packing food, ordering and inventorying, and educating field faculty and students on basic nutrition and the NOLS bulk rationing system. They also work with the Rations Manager and the other Rations Assistant Manager to supervise and train seasonal employees.

Key Logistical Points:

Location: NOLS Rocky Mountain in Lander, WY

Start date: Early March 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 Rations Assistant Manager do?

• Support students and field faculty, especially those with special dietary needs, as they prepare to go on expeditions based out of NOLS Rocky Mountain. 

• Create dietary accommodations plans for students with food allergies, dietary sensitivities and intolerances, and dietary preferences. 

• Communicate dietary accommodation plans with students, parents/guardians, and the Expedition Admissions department over email, and occasionally answer questions over the phone.

• Contribute to the rations leadership team (Rations Manager and two Rations Assistant Managers) to co-create vision and manage day-to-day operations in the rations department.

• Share in the responsibility of placing food orders, maintaining inventory, and monitoring food costs. Oversee delivery and processing of orders including stocking and inventory management. 

• Assist in training and supervision of seasonal employees.

• Brief field faculty and students on their course ration preparations.

• Bag, divide, and pack course rations and re-rations.

• Share in the responsibility for maintenance and cleaning of rations room and storage areas. 

• Performs duties and special projects as assigned by the Rations Manager.

What makes a great Rations Assistant Manager 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.

• Excellent written communication skills. 

• Effective verbal communication skills including the ability to receive/provide thoughtful, timely feedback. 

• Consistent and self-driven work ethic with high attention to detail.

• Ability to work effectively on a team, delegate appropriately, and complete tasks independently.

• Flexible mindset, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.

• Positive, friendly approach to student-service.

• Ability to perform periodic heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds, and work while standing for extended periods of time.

• Ability to work flexible and irregular hours including early mornings, weekends, and holidays, with a goal of maintaining a 40-hour work week. 

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and the Google suite. Comfortable learning new computer skills and systems.

In your first 6 weeks, you will: 

• Learn about the NOLS bulk rationing system through hands-on training and self-paced reading of resources such as the “NOLS Cookery.”

• Complete the ServSafe allergen course and train using the NOLS Food Allergen Management guide as you start building a working knowledge of how to accommodate dietary needs in a wilderness context.  

• Build relationships with your immediate team at NOLS Rocky Mountain and colleagues in other NOLS departments including Admissions, Finance, Custom Education, and Alumni. 

• Bag, divide, and pack rations for Rocky Mountain courses.

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.

• 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.

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

• 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.