Join Our Team

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Volunteer/Work

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 limited number of skilled employees who provide consistent leadership and supervision. 

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

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Whether you join our staff for two weeks or an extended period of time, many of the benefits are the same:

  • You’ll live in the midst of stunning scenic wilderness, 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 caring community rooted in Christian values, welcoming people of all spiritual, faith, and wisdom backgrounds.
  • You’ll enjoy a simpler, ‘less-plugged-in’ lifestyle in the wilderness (and still have access to wifi to stay connected).
  • You’ll have time and opportunity to explore new interests and learn new things.
  • 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.

Are you thinking that time on staff at Holden Village might be right for you? The first thing to decide is how long you would like to serve:

 

Join us for a week of work and relaxation, transitioning our remote community from one season to the next! Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, Holden invites you to lend your time and talents for community projects and summer or winter preparations. All arrivals will be on Monday with departures on Sunday with no exceptions. Space is limited, so please apply early. Apply to join us for one or both weeks.

Spring 2023 Work Week Dates:

Week 1: April 17-23
Week 2: April 24-30

We will start accepting Spring Work Week Applications January 2023.

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 August and during the holidays in November and December.

Open Short Term Volunteer Opportunities

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. People hired in these positions receive a small stipend along with room and board.

Open Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities

We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities available for people who commit for one year. These positions receive a stipend, room, board, insurance, and other benefits. Long term volunteers serve in many areas of the Village: administration, arts, building maintenance, programming, and more.

High Priority Long Term Volunteer Positions

 

Other Open Long Term Volunteer Opportunities

Holden Village has many opportunities for skilled workers in leadership and supervisory positions. Requiring at least a two-year commitment, Holden employees receive a salary, room, board, insurance, and other benefits. 

Open Employee Positions

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 fill out our application to start the process.

1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org: 

 

2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:


3. Send the Reference Form to the individuals you listed in your Staff Application and ask them to email their completed form staffing@holdenvillage.

4. If applying for a Summer Seasonal Head, Long-Term or Employee position, please also email your Resume to staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.

Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. Applications 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@www.holdenvillage.org.

Read Prospective Volunteer/Employee Packet
View All Open Position Descriptions

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 fill out our application to start the process.

1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org: 

 

2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:


3. Send the Reference Form to the individuals you listed in your Staff Application and ask them to email their completed form staffing@holdenvillage.

4. If applying for a Summer Seasonal Head, Long-Term or Employee position, please also email your Resume to staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.

Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. Applications 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@www.holdenvillage.org.

Work Weeks

Join us for a week of work and relaxation, transitioning our remote community from one season to the next! Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, Holden invites you to lend your time and talents for community projects and summer or winter preparations. All arrivals will be on Monday with departures on Sunday with no exceptions. Space is limited, so please apply early. Apply to join us for one or both weeks.

How to Apply

1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org:

Work Week Application 
Release Waiver & Code of Conduct
Staff Agreement

2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:

Health & Wellness Form

Why Holden?

"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

Read More

The Best of All Worlds: Traveling, Volunteering and Working in Retirement by Barbara J. Tuttle in Next Avenue, July 22, 2022

Holden Village: Walking the ‘all are welcome’ talk by Cheryl Murfin in Seattle’s Child, July 17, 2022