Evacuation Coordinator - Alaska

NOLS

Employment Type Temporary Seasonal, from mid-April to the end of August 2025.
Location On site · USA NOLS Alaska campus in Palmer, Alaska
Salary $40,000 - $43,000 (USD)
Team NOLS Alaska
Seniority Mid-level, Senior
  • Closing: 11:59pm, 15th Nov 2024 MST

Job Description

The Evacuation Coordinator (EC) is a key player at NOLS Alaska, ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff by expertly managing emergency communications and logistics. This dynamic role involves responding to various situations—whether medical, non-medical, or logistical—and coordinating resources for smooth and effective evacuations.

The EC will also maintain essential gear like communication devices and medical kits while building strong relationships with pilots, drivers, and boat captains to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Beyond evacuations, you’ll help supervise NOLS Alaska summer courses, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for both staff and participants.

Key Logistical Points:

Location: NOLS Alaska campus in Palmer, Alaska

Seasonal, from April 20th to August 31st 2025. There’s also a chance to do 1-2 weeks of fieldwork during non-peak season for NOLS Instructors. 

Start Date: April 20th, 2025 

Perks & Benefits:

  • On-site housing is available for around $200/month, 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.

  • Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available at a discounted rate for seasonal employees.

  • Travel allowance: NOLS helps cover travel costs to and from Palmer, AK, at the beginning and end of the season.

  • You’re not required to live on-site, but it’s a great option if you want to be part of our campus community.

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

What Does an Evacuation Coordinator Do?

You’ll take on diverse and impactful responsibilities that make a difference in our students and staff's experiences:

Program and Field Staff Support:

  • Provide essential support to about 700 students participating in NOLS Alaska programs.

  • Supervise and coordinate evacuation logistics across Alaska, ensuring a smooth response in any situation.

  • Carry the 24/7 evacuation phone during peak season (3 to 4 days/nights per shift), responding to calls with compassion and efficiency.

  • Facilitate crucial conversations, connecting instructors, students’ emergency contacts, private pilots, and drivers.

  • Ensure evacuated or expelled students are treated with respect, compassion, and accountability throughout their experience.

  • Offer coaching to instructors on evacuation procedures, student performance, behavioral concerns, and group dynamics.

  • Guide field staff in risk management practices and contribute to NOLS Accepted Field Practices development.

  • Train staff on evacuation protocols, documentation, and effective communication during challenging situations.

  • Work closely with the program manager to create efficient systems and a shared vision for the Evacuation Office.

  • Foster teamwork across all NOLS Alaska departments, contributing to a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

  • Act as a Program Supervisor when needed. 

Operational Support:

  • Provide care and support to evacuees while they’re in town, ensuring their needs are met.

  • Maintain and organize inventory for communication equipment (PLBs, SatPhones, radios) and medical kits.

  • Calculate and report evacuation expenses, collaborating with various departments to improve service delivery.

  • Lead by example in promoting risk management practices for both staff and students.

  • Share your expertise by teaching the NOLS curriculum, supporting cross-departmental learning in leadership, risk management, and environmental studies.

  • Assist in revising Alaska enrollment paperwork to ensure it’s accurate and accessible for all participants.

  • Advocate for environmental sustainability initiatives on campus.

  • Assist with course transportation, vehicle prep, meal preparation, and outfitting to ensure top-notch service for students.

Additional Responsibilities

  • As an Evacuation Coordinator (EC), you’ll typically work 35 to 50 hours per week, following a structured schedule that supports a balanced work-life experience. While carrying the evacuation cell phone, you'll remain within a reasonable distance of campus and be on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies. 

  • In addition to your core responsibilities, you may take on tasks assigned by the Alaska Campus Director or Program Manager to support the overall success of our programs. In cases where an instructor is unavailable due to illness or injury, you may be required to step in as a field instructor—so maintaining active instructor status is crucial.

  • You’ll also manage cash accounting related to private services, course logistics, and emergency funds, ensuring accurate and efficient financial support for our operations.

What Makes a Great Evacuation Coordinator at NOLS?

We are looking for individuals who align with our core values and are eager to learn and expand their expertise. Ideal candidates will possess the following skills and attributes, and we are committed to providing training and development support in certain areas:

  • Experience: Preference will be given to those with a background as a senior NOLS Instructor at the course leader level or equivalent experience in program supervision within similar organizations.

  • Passion for the Mission: A demonstrated understanding of and enthusiasm for the NOLS mission is essential.

  • Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English are a must, enabling effective interaction with diverse groups.

  • Problem-Solving and Teamwork: Strong creative problem-solving abilities, effective team-building skills, and proficient facilitation capabilities are key to success in this role.

  • Flexibility: The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment is crucial. Candidates must also be willing to work flexible and irregular hours, including holidays and weekends.

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.

  • All employees can benefit of free outdoor equipment "Rental" at our various locations

  • We have fantastic employee discounts on top outdoor gear brands

  • We offer discounts on NOLS courses for you and your family

  • Wellness Time for all employees

  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to counselors that are available 24/7 to assist employees with work-life balance concerns.

Next steps

At NOLS we use the Applied platform for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using your resume alone, we'll be asking you to answer questions to test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymized, and reviewed in a random order by members of our team. 

The Applied platform also asks 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.

All you need to do is start the process by clicking on the button at the top right. 

Additional Information

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

Pre-Employment Check
  • 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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.

Removing bias from the hiring process

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Removing bias from the hiring process

  • Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
  • You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review

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