Summary of Position
North Cascades Institute is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Office Assistant at our Environmental Learning Center (ELC), located in the North Cascades National Park. The Office Assistant will be responsible for a variety of front desk, administrative, and customer service tasks, including greeting visitors, assisting with program registrations, managing retail sales, and supporting the daily operations of campus programs. This role requires a commitment to exceptional service and teamwork to provide a welcoming experience for all visitors and program participants. The Office Assistant will report to the Guest Services Coordinator and work closely with both the Learning Center and Registration teams.

Please note, the jobsite can experience challenging environmental conditions, including snow, wildfires, and flooding. The position is seasonal, full-time, and requires the ability to work in a remote setting. If you are passionate about connecting people with nature and community, and enjoy working in a dynamic, outdoor environment, we encourage you to apply!

Qualifications

Required

• Passion for the Institute’s goal to connect people, nature and community
• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule
• Exceptional phone etiquette and communication skills
• High level of customer service and interpersonal skills to handle sensitive situations
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages, and a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment
• Reliable transportation to and from work
• Ability to use a cash register or Point of Sale system
• Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search and a driving history check

Preferred

• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Google Suite experience
• Basic experience with databases (Salesforce)
• Fluency in Spanish
• Basic first aid

Essential Functions

Front Desk Support:

• Provides customers with information and answers questions regarding Institute programs, the Learning Center, the North Cascades Institute, and the surrounding areas.
• Assists with program check-in and manages retail store capacity.
• Supports retail operation by processing sales transactions on the Point of Sales System.
• Coordinates with the Retail Manager to keep the Learning Center store well stocked and tidy.

Skagit Tours Registration:

• Registers participants over the counter or by phone for Skagit Tours on the weekends and as needed.
• Processes registration payments on the Point of Sales System and enters newly registered participant information into Salesforce.
• Manages Skagit Tours waitlist, and creates and distributes daily Skagit Tours Roster to ELC staff for logistical planning.

Administration for Programs and Operations:

• Provide administrative assistance to Learning Center staff in support of campus programs.
• Creates daily and weekend rosters for Learning Center programs.
• Collects and organizes confidential registration paperwork while programs are at the Environmental Learning Center; enter data and send related paperwork to the Sedro-Woolley office after programs are complete.

Other:

• Other duties assigned may include regular attendance at staff meetings, transcribing staff meeting notes, assisting with hands-to-work, supporting emergency response and other projects as assigned.

Compensation

This is a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt position. The pay rate is $18.25 per hour. The job location for this position is at the Environmental Learning Center.

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

• Sick Leave – accrued at the rate of .04615 per hour.
• Vacation Leave – accrued at the rate of .01925 per hour.
• Holiday Leave – 2 days
• $100 per month health care stipend to be paid in the first pay period following completion of a 21-day probationary period
• Option to defer compensation as a pre-tax deferral in our retirement plan
• 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.

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751. All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.

Housing

Subsidized housing may be available. Private rooms in shared houses are often available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.

Start Date

June 2, 2025

End Date

September 18, 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 21 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.