Operations Director

The Operations Director has the unique opportunity to build, shape and lead a dynamic team of individuals committed to supporting programs based at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center located in North Cascades National Park. The Operations Director works in close collaboration with the Program Director in overseeing the full scope of Learning Center activities and supervises the Food Service Manager, Operations Manager and Operations Coordinator. This position is supervised by the Associate Director.

While the Operations Director’s primary role is leading the Learning Center operations and operations team (composed of 10-12 individuals), this individual is also a member of the Institute’s Leadership Team. As a co-director of the Learning Center (along with the Program Director) the Operations Director has onsite housing available. If they do not wish to live onsite, they are required to spend a minimum of three days and two nights onsite each week. The Learning Center typically runs 7 days a week with programs running from February through December and facilities oversight is required year around. 

Objectives of this Role

• Create a positive, solution-oriented, and engaged team 

• Foster a spirit of welcoming and belonging to all who enter the Learning Center 

• Develop sustainable systems and structure to support the Institute’s operations and staff 

• Ensure operational excellence (including in food service, housekeeping, maintenance, etc.). 

 Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for Learning Center campus and operations including food service, maintenance, housekeeping, facility systems, and grounds

• Hires, trains and directly supervises:

  • Operations Manager who manages maintenance, housekeeping, and vehicle and boat maintenance/training. 

  • Food Services Manager who manages the kitchen to deliver high quality meals for guests.

  • Operations Coordinator who manages the front office/first aid room, retail sales, library, and is the Salesforce database gatekeeper.

• Collaboratively act as a unified co-director with the Program Director, leading and modeling best practices and instilling confidence

• Responsible for all Learning Center facilities including classrooms, library, office, dining hall, staff housing and lodges.

• Responsible for Institute staff housing and leader of Housing Committee 

• Supports for Learning Center risk management and serves on Risk Management Committee

• Partner with key stakeholders including the National Park Service and Seattle City Light

• Budget oversight for Learning Center operations 

• Actively participate as a key decision maker within the Leadership team and representative to the Board 

• Serve as part of the on-call rotation

• Weekends and/or non-traditional hours and ability to respond to emergencies (schedules shift during summer months) 

 Working Environment and Physical Demands

• Remote isolated wilderness location

• Snowy or icy roads

• Work in an office and at a computer screen for extended periods 

• Work outdoors in inclement weather (rain, snow, cold, heat, dark) for extended periods 

• Ability to carry 50 lbs and hike over uneven terrain 

Required Qualifications

• Previous supervision experience 

• Strong IT skills, including computer skills and experience with spreadsheets, common software and Microsoft Office

• Willingness to live on the Learning Center campus in a full or part time capacity, minimum 3 days / 2 nights per week (schedules shift during summer)  

• Wilderness First Responder or higher level of certification (or willingness to obtain)

• Washington State Boaters education card (or willingness to obtain)

• Reliable transportation to and from work

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record

Preferred qualifications

• Experience managing a remote camp or similar facility

• Experience in the food service industry, emergency medicine industry, construction industry, and/or environmental education or camp setting

• Experience working with historically excluded populations. 

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. Salary range is $70,000 - $74,000 per year depending on experience. The job location for this position is at the Environmental Learning Center.

Benefits - We offer a competitive compensation package including:

• Sick Leave – 8 hours per month.

• Vacation Leave – 10 days within year one.

• Holiday Leave – 12 days per year.

• Service Days – 2 days per year.

• Other paid time-off such as family leave, pregnancy leave, bereavement leave, etc.

• Medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance.

• Retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity and contribution.

• Ability to participate in Institute pro deals.

• Yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs.

Start Date

As soon as possible. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs. 

About the North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place.