Group Program Specialist

North Cascades Institute seeks an organized, detail-oriented, customer service-minded individual to lead sales and contracting efforts for Conference & Retreat programs; develop and manage contracts for Mountain School and Field & Virtual Programs; and assist with outreach, marketing, and customer development for group programs at the Institute. 

Supervised by the Adult & Family Programs Manager, this position works closely with the Program Service Specialist to provide a seamless wrap-around customer service experience to Conference & Retreat clients. They also work closely with Institute staff, partners, and customers to support a wide array of youth, family, and adult educational programs through planning and administration.

The North Cascades Institute operates the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in the heart of the North Cascades National Park. A diverse range of programs provide intergenerational environmental education to young people, adults, and families. The Group Programs Specialist works primarily out of our administrative office in Sedro-Woolley, with the option for frequent remote work. They will occasionally travel to the ELC as part of their role. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills with strong attention to detail

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent computer skills (Familiar with G-Suite apps, MS Office)

• Familiarity with CRM programs (Salesforce or similar)

• Ability to be an active and supportive team member

• Ability to work with diverse populations

• Ability to be friendly and welcoming to customers

• Available for occasional weekend or evening work and travel within Washington State

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with program coordination, sales, contracting, and/or customer service

• Experience working with diverse populations

Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sales and Contracting for Conferences & Retreats (CR)

• Works with the Adult & Family Programs Manager to develop and maintain the program calendar

• Identify potential leads for CR events; effectively communicate the benefits of the Learning Center facility; and articulate the details of our services and programs

• Create contracts and schedule rentals on the calendar

• Coordinate with the Program Services Specialist at the ELC to handoff pre-event communication, logistical planning, and customer service

• Support the collections of payments from clients

• Ensure customer satisfaction through follow-up communications with clients

• Track programs, registrations, and earned income through Salesforce database

Contracting for Mountain School and Field & Virtual Programs

• Assist the Mountain School Manager in developing the Mountain School program calendar

• Assist the Adult Programs Coordinator in developing the Field & Virtual program calendar

• Develop contracts for schools and contract instructors

• Support the collections of payments from schools, and payments to contract instructors

Marketing and Outreach for Group Programs

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Team to support creation of marketing content and materials, publicity materials, and distribution plans

• Identify and reach out to prospective clients (email and phone, site visits, offsite presentations)

• Represent the Institute at conferences, festivals, and community events as appropriate

General

• Travel to the ELC as needed to coordinate with program and operations staff and to build familiarity with the site and programs

• Participate in the Institute’s Program, Operations, and Risk Management teams as needed

• Other duties as assigned

Compensation

This is a regular, non-exempt, full-time position which includes an unpaid one month winter furlough. The pay rate is $20.00 to $22.25 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive compensation package. Benefits include the following:

• Sick Leave – 8 hours per month

• Vacation Leave – 10 days within year one. Positions with furloughs may accrue less than 10 days

• Holiday Leave – 12 days maximum 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

Benefits are prorated for employees working less than 40 hours per week.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to:

• Sit, talk, and hear, use hands and fingers to operate office equipment and files; reach with hands and arms.

• Occasional walking, bending and lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds is required

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, close vision and the ability to adjust focus

Start Date: January 16, 2025

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 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.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 15 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.