Volunteer Opportunities

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Holden Village Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

Why Work at Holden

If you’re seeking meaningful work and a caring community while living in beautiful mountain scenery, Holden Village is the place for you. Short-term and long-term opportunities offer the chance to experience Holden Village when it fits into your life. Check out current openings and read what others have to say about their time at Holden Village below.

Whether you have a few weeks, months, or years to experience something new, we have a place for you.

An Opportunity of a Lifetime

  • You’ll live in the midst of stunning scenic wilderness, with stunning outdoor recreation in your backyard and a commute of just a few minutes’ walk to work.
  • You’ll have access to amazing hiking opportunities, community activities, learning sessions, art studios and other educational opportunities!
  • You’ll join a varied, intergenerational, justice-seeking community rooted in Christian values, welcoming people of all spiritual, faith, and wisdom traditions.
  • You’ll enjoy a simpler, ‘less-plugged-in’ lifestyle in the wilderness (and still have access to internet to stay connected).
  • You’ll have time and opportunity to explore new interests and learn new skills.
  • You’ll be invited to contribute to community life, and be more than your job assignment.
  • You’ll have fun! Traditions of ‘Holden Hilarity’ have been passed down through our staff for generations.

Volunteer and Employment Opportunities

Throughout its history, Holden has operated through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers annually. Some share their time and talents for just two weeks, and others serve for multiple years. Holden also hires a number of skilled employees who provide consistent leadership and supervision. 

The first thing to decide is how long you would like to serve. Whether you have two weeks or two years, we have volunteer and employee positions available. The descriptions below can help you find the best fit for you at this time in your life.

2 Weeks - 4 Months: Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities

1 Week - Spring & Fall Work Weeks

Join us in the spring or fall for a week of work and community, transitioning our remote community from one season to the next. Learn more about Work Weeks here.

2+ Weeks - Short Term Volunteers

If you can serve for at least two weeks up to several months, we invite you to come as a short-term volunteer. You’ll receive free lodging and meals and some additional benefits depending on your length of stay. Short-term volunteers are welcome throughout the year but critical in our busiest seasons from June through September and during the holidays in November and December. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday. 

3-4 Months - Seasonal Volunteer

If you can commit to serve for three to four months (typically between May and September), you may be eligible for a seasonal leadership role. If you are matched with one of these positions, you will receive a small stipend along with room and board. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday. 

1-3 Years: Long-term Volunteer & Employment Opportunities

1 Year or More - Long Term Volunteer

A yearlong volunteer position provides a deeper experience of Village life.  We have a wide range of roles available for people who commit for one year. You will receive a stipend, room, board, insurance, and other benefits. Volunteers serve in administration, arts, building maintenance, programming, and more. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.

2-3 Years - Employee

Holden Village has many roles for skilled workers in leadership and supervisory positions. Positions requiring at least a two-year commitment receive a salary, room, board, health insurance, and other benefits as a Holden Village employee. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.

High-Priority Available Positions

Interested in joining the Holden Community right now? We are actively looking for people to fill the following high-priority short and long term positions. 

Check out our full Job Board here: All Open Positions

Holden Village has many roles for skilled workers in leadership and supervisory positions. Positions requiring at least a two-year commitment receive a salary, room, board, health insurance, and other benefits as a Holden Village employee. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.

How to Apply

Once you decide how long you want to be at Holden Village, we can help you find the right role. Often, your assignment will be based on your own preferences balanced by the Village’s needs. You may be using existing skills or have the chance to try something new. Please read Prospective Employee Information then fill out our application to start the process. We are no longer able to accept mailed copies of applications. We appreciate your help in reducing our paper waste.

  • Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org: 
  • Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:
  • Send the Reference Form to the individuals you listed in your Staff Application and ask them to email their completed form staffing@holdenvillage.
  • If applying for a Summer Seasonal Volunteer, Long-Term Volunteer or Employee position, please also email your Resume to staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.
  • If you are returning to the Village on short-term staff, you do not need to submit a new application if you have sent one in the last 5 years.

We do require the following paperwork on an annual basis.

  • Release Waiver & Code of Conduct
  • Staff Agreement
  • Health and Wellness Form (emailed to medic@holdenvillage.org)
  • An email with the dates you hope to come and position preference

Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. Your process may include a phone or video interview. It normally takes 3-4 weeks for a decision to be made about short-term positions and longer for positions with long-term commitments. If you have any questions or concerns please email staffing@holdenvillage.org 

Holden Village is an equal employment opportunity employer, and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates with a known protected disability assuming the accommodation does not cause undue hardship or direct threat to health and safety.

"If you need a place to take a pause in life for a while, this is the place to go. Knowing that you are surrounded by community that loves you is very important at Holden. You’ll always feel welcome. Even if you’re a complete stranger, we care about you very much."
Volunteer Kennedy
Kennedy
Operations Team, Long Term Volunteer
"As a couple, volunteering together has given us an opportunity to come away and not have the regular stressors of life. Here we’ve been able to reconnect and see each other and appreciate the gift of the things that originally drew us together. At Holden, we live simply and appreciate the beauty."
Volunteers Christy and Olaf Hall Holt
Christy and Olaf
Kitchen Assistant and Lawns & Gardens, Short Term Volunteers
"The whole experience is enriched by the people you interact with. Just by being here you are already surrounded by people who are curious, community-minded, and empathetic. It feels like a space for growth and learning. It's very special to live in the Village where there is an emphasis on joy and hilarity."
Volunteer Grace
Grace
Program Team, Long Term Volunteer