The Ration Manager plays a key role in supporting the NOLS Alaska mission to educate and inspire through wilderness expeditions by overseeing the rationing of over 700 students . This position helps ensure that students and instructors are well fed for safe, efficient, and meaningful field experiences. This role includes ordering of foods to be stocked in the rations room, interacting with the admissions department to support student dietary needs, supervising a small team, and maintaining a clean, welcoming, organized rations department. Responsibilities include organizing rations issue and de-issue days, maintaining necessary quality and quantity of rations, assisting instructors with pre-course preparations, training others in bagging food, and participating in rations room operations. Success in this role requires attention to detail, initiative, strong communication skills, and a commitment to teamwork and community—reflecting the NOLS values of leadership, excellence, and stewardship.

Key Information:

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

• Location: NOLS Alaska campus in Palmer, Alaska

• Contract Type: Seasonal (April to August 2026)

• Start Date: April 20, 2026 

Perks & Benefits: On-site housing is available for a modest fee, which includes internet, food staples, lunch, and dinner when the kitchen is open, and access to a shared staff car. Living areas are communal, and everyone pitches in with daily chores

Questions? Feel free to contact us at peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Ration Manager do?

• Use student numbers/field days to calculate appropriate ordering quantities in the off-season

• Work with vendors to facilitate the shipping of food items to Alaska

• Use software to create rations plans for each course at the Alaska branch

• Interact with the admissions department to answer dietary questions and provide accommodations for students

• Bag food, make spice kits, etc. for field rations

• Create custom field rations for dietary restrictions

• Supervise a team in day to day prep/ration operations

• Work with instructor teams to accommodate requests and adjust ration plans

• Manage a budget and ensure that credit card bills and invoices are paid in a timely fashion

• Provide and receive ongoing, growth-oriented feedback for program and personnel

What makes a great Ration Manager at NOLS?

For this position, we are seeking a person who is detail oriented and is passionate about facilitating inclusive experiences at the branch, and in-field for students, staff, and instructors.

• Desire to learn about bulk field rations, cooking, and field nutrition.

• Possess excellent organization skills related to ordering and inventory management

• Enjoy working in a dynamic environment as course numbers, ration lengths and dietary restrictions change 

• Self-motivated to work independently when needed

• Must be a team player who can work collaboratively with others, and work with the best interests of the team in mind. Work closely with the issue room manager to ensure that issue days run smoothly.

• Able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds. Examples include but are not limited to, bags of flour, boxes and duffle bags of food, full coolers, and shelving units

• Desire to interact in a friendly and proactive with NOLS students, faculty, and in-town staff.

• Eager to live and work in a small community that shares responsibility for maintaining common areas.

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

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. 

NOLS currently can support remote employees with legal working rights in the following locations: Canada; Chile; India; Mexico; New Zealand; the US, states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and 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 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.